Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man( 2002)

In spite of the hundreds of reviews on site, I had to enter mine. This movie has my vote for the most entertaining movie of the year. Maybe it is not the BEST movie, but the most entertaining for any audience. Even if you have seen the movie in the theater, you might consider buying the 2-DVD set. You won’t be disappointed.

THE EXTRAS

The two DVD set was released about a month ago. In this case, it adds substantially to your viewing appreciation. It includes “creation-of “ videos, including interviews with Director and cast members, out takes, and screen tests. Best of all, it has a feature on the evolution of the Spider-man comic book character since it was created by Marvel comics nearly 40 years ago. There are interviews with the various artists who illustrated the character in the comic book, as well as some input with co-creator Stan Lee. There are two feature length commentaries, and a pop up web “factoids” feature which will flash trivia on the screen for every scene in the movie.

The commentary I could probably live without, or at least I could live without Kirsten Dunst’s contribution, but the section on the evolution of the Spider-man character, including villains, loves of Peter Parker and decades long changes, was fascinating. The out takes were mediocre, except for Dafoe, and the “Creation-of” featurettes included a lot of the same footage. Toby Maguire’s screen test, where he comes off looking and moving like a 21st century white bread Bruce Lee, was pretty impressive.

FILM ELEMENTS

DIRECTING

Sam Raimi has had various ups and downs in his success rates but always makes visually interesting movies. He directed Evil Dead II, and Army of Darkness, two of my all time favorites, as well as Darkman, which also has a comic book quality to it. And he has directed a western and a few other interesting flicks as well. He was picked for this movie because he has an abiding love for the comic book character, which definitely shows in this movie. His attention to detail is incredible, and he makes his character believable, and live in a way that most comic book movies fail. I suspect it had more than a little to do with his ability to pull all the right elements together.

CINEMATOGRAPHY

This is classic Raimi, with the use of the camera in framing scenes one of the standout elements. The camera travels with the character, and the lens occasionally shoots through the character’s eyes. There is one particularly interesting scene where Parker picks up his glasses, and looks through them to see a blurry world (because he no longer needs the glasses to see) that particularly intrigued me. There is the Raimi-standard shaky cam in extreme action scenes. And the each scene is lit with care-to show exactly as much as you need to see. Of course the color choices reflect the colors that represent the characters themselves.


SET DESIGN AND SPECIAL EFFECTS

One of the best things about this movie is the use of New York, and the fantastic set design. We get to see a different view of the city that never sleeps, from the aerial view of the web slinger himself. The neighborhood in Queens seems very authentic, and all the sights and sounds of New York live in this movie. Absent, of course, are the twin towers, although they are seen in a few shots as reflections. (Check out the burning building scene) The set was definitely a warmer side of the big city, and I liked the fact that he made it real, rather than made it camp. Raimi kept it from becoming a joke.

Unquestionably, every aspect of this movie was expensive. With a budget of millions did they get their money’s worth? Did we? They have more than profited, I have no doubt. And for once, I am happy!

The special effects of Spider-man are terrific. It was a combination of the physicality of the performers, the stunts done by others, and seamless CGI. There are things you KNOW could not be done, but they look pretty real. Both Maguire and Dafoe show some real athletic ability, and Dafoe is simply amazing. Everyone is going to have their favorite special Spider-man scenes. For me it is a toss up between the climbing up the side of the building shots, and the final acrobatic sequences as the last credits roll.


MUSIC

Danny Elfman is the composer for this piece, and I have to say I was very impressed. He orchestrated the action superbly, without being ostentatious, and gave each character their own lyrical voice. It was wonderfully done. The score can stand alone on this movie. There are in addition, a couple of music Videos in the package.


PERFORMANCES

Toby Maguire might not at first seem like the right choice for this part, but let me assure you that he is! As Peter Parker, he was perfect. It was harder to see him as the web slinger, but without saying more, let me say he did a great job. Willem Dafoe who plays the villain, was simply outstanding. Rosemary Harris as Aunt May, Cliff Robertson as Uncle Ben and even James Franco as friend Harry Osborn were right on the money. The only headliner in the cast with whom I have a problem is Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Wallace. I know the girl is hot at the moment, but she is way out of her league on this cast. On the positive side, she seems to have at least “friendly” chemistry with Maguire, or at least the commentary says she does. Whatever.



THE STORY

This is the story of how Peter Parker became Spiderman. Starting out, he is a teenager, who is an all right guy, and unlike most comic book heroes, has problems and insecurities. He lives with his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. His parents are presumed dead. He lives next door to Mary Jane Wallace, the girl of his dreams , (in the comic book, she was not his first love), since they were both toddlers.

The girl however is a product of an abusive home situation, and has ambition. Although she is friends with our Peter, she saves her heart for first the high school Football star, and later, for Parker’s best friend and millionaire, Harry Osborn. Peter’s friendship with Harry and his scientist father Norman, will have consequences that will follow Spider man for many years.

Norman the scientist is an ambitious man, and is working on a human- enhancing potion. In danger of losing his contract with the government, one day he uses himself as guinea pg. The consequences? Well that will be for you to see. But I warn you, it isn’t pretty. But it IS pretty amazing!

Peter becomes Spiderman by an accidental bite from a DNA spliced spider while on a field trip, and it changes his life forever. Peter has to learn how and when to use his new special skills, and that is basically what this movie is about. There is a little about the love when Peter Parker picks a pickled pepper...oops.. that can’t be right, I mean the torch he carries for MJ.( Or is that a euphemism for marijuana, that was also popular in the sixties?)

Either way, the story is very engrossing, and there is enough action and excitement to last through more than one viewing. I have watched it six times, and I could watch it again, any time.

As an aside, I was bit by a suspiciously mutated looking mosquito, but I haven’t noticed any changes yet.

THE CAST

Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, Spider-Man.He was good, no doubt about it. After Wonder Boys and Cider House Rules, I shouldn’t be surprised. I was surprised that he made the physical movements of Spider-man believable.

Willem Dafoe as Norman Osborn/The Green Goblin-I’m convinced that this guy could play about anyone anytime. In this one he is the ultimate villain, with the alter ego of surrogate father to young Parker. In this movie he even gets to play both characters at the same time. In one memorable scene where he confronts himself in the mirror, he was simply astounding. He also did most of his stunts himself, and that alone is amazing. His out-takes are worth a look. They are hilarious.

Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson-First of all, she does not look good as a red head. According to the early Spidey comics, Parker’s first love was a blonde chick. MJ only comes on the scene much later. So maybe what I am really objecting to is the change of story. Mary Jane in this story doesn’t have much to recommend her, except her physical beauty, which has never impressed me as exceptional. The character seems as shallow as the actress herself.

James Franco as Harry Osborn-I smell a sequel in this character. I understand he auditioned for the title role. I think he would make a fantastic successor to the Goblin tradition, as his bitterness smolders in his eyes. He says very little, but it is obvious that he is jealous of the affection his father feels for friend Peter. Well done, and I hope his part expands for the sequel.

Cliff Robertson as Uncle Ben Parker-What a touch of class this actor brings to this movie! He is the best of all uncles, and in my mind he was an improvement on the comic book version. And of course, he states the essential conflict for Spider-Man in one famous sentence. “With great power there is great responsibility”

Rosemary Harris as Aunt May Parker-As Aunt May, you couldn’t ask for a better performance. She has several great scenes. The one that got my attention is at Thanksgiving dinner, where she slaps Norman’s hand as he sticks his finger in the food before saying grace. In the next scene, he is at her, as the Green Goblin! Since Harris and Dafoe had worked together before, (she played his nagging mother in law) that scene is called the son -in law’s revenge.

JK Simmons as J.J. Jameson, Daily Bugle Editor-This guy in the comics book will someday masquerade as the Green Goblin. In this movie, he profits from making the Spider-Man look like a bad guy. He was a great character. My favorite line is about the perks he will offer free lance photographer Parker, instead of a bonus. He will give him “meat” for Christmas.

Bruce Campbell as man with the microphone at the wrestling match.-Not a big part, but a good one, as Campbell gets to name the young wrestler as the super hero he will become. After the Evil Dead, I have been an avid fan of this actor. I just like to see him working.

Stan Lee does a cameo in this movie. And of course there are also trademark Raimi props throughout the film.

FINAL RECOMMENDATION


What’s not to like about this movie? The language is toned down, there are no lurid sex scenes to keep the kids from watching it, and it is pure entertainment in every way. Don’t worry too much about the girl. I have it on good authority that she isn’t really a red head. Although the romance aspect might have helped some aspect of the market for this flick, it is the only flaw that bothers me. I’m willing to forget it and pop the DVD in for another viewing. Sequel anyone?