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Spider-Man (2002) 8 out of 10 Posted: 05/13/08
Running time: 2:01 MPAA rating: PG-13 (Stylized violence and action.) Peruvian rating: Mayores de 14
Cast:
Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, J.K.
Simmons, Rosemary Harris, Cliff Robertson. |
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Now that we’ve all seen the whole Spider-man trilogy (it’s been almost a year since the release of the third film), I think I can criticize the first two flicks with a different perspective. It’s not that my opinion of these movies has changed, though, but the release of the disappointing third outing has definitely changed a little the way I view these films. Consequently, let’s start with the film that started it all: Spider-Man.
Because X-Men (released on the year 2000) had been such a success for Marvel, Stan Lee and his people decided that their most recognizable hero, Spider-man, deserved a film of his own after so many years in development hell, so they hired Sam Raimi (the Evil Dead movies, the underrated Darkman) to direct and David Koepp (The Lost World: Jurassic Park, the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) to write the screenplay. Thus, Spider-man was born. While the flick itself is not as masterful as some people would’ve wanted it to be, it’s nevertheless solid entertainment, a fun, visually interesting and intelligent comic book motion picture that manages to effectively introduce its characters and situations. It definitely doesn’t reach the awesomeness of the likes of Batman Begins, the recent and amazing Iron Man or even Raimi’s previous comic-book-like flick, Darkman, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad movie. It’s pretty cool, actually.
The movie tells the story of nerdy high school senior Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire). He’s shy, he’s smart, and he’s in love with one of the most popular girls at school, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), who doesn't know he exists, even though he has lived next door to her for years. Peter's best friend is Harry Osborn (James Franco), the lazy and disappointing son of millionaire scientist Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe). Peter lives with his uncle, Ben (Cliff Robertson), and aunt, May (Rosemary Harris), who have raised him since he was little. One day, though, Peter visits a lab at Columbia University with the school teachers and students, and gets bitten by a genetically-altered spider. Soon enough, things start to happen to him – he has gained superpowers! A sixth sense, the ability to climb walls, unnatural strength and endurance, amazing agility, and glands on his wrist that allow him to spin webs are some of his newly-acquired characteristics. Now, Peter had to make a decision: should he use his powers for personal issues, or to do a greater good? He eventually decides for the latter, and after creating a cool blue-and-red costume, he becomes Spider-Man. At the same time, one of Norman Osborn’s (who is to become his new enemy) scientific experiments goes wrong, and gives him superpowers such as superhuman strength, and increased aggression and madness. He creates a metal suit and a gilder, which he uses for evil stuff: he’s now the Green Goblin, and Spider-Man is the only one who can stop him.
Spider-man is effective because it manages to create a successful mix of romance, action, special effects, compelling characters and a suitably interesting storyline. Although it feels a little too much like an origin story – something that Iron Man surprisingly managed to avoid – and takes some time to establish the characters and make Peter gain his powers, it nevertheless never bores. Peter is a very interesting character, a very conflicted guy who frequently philosophies about life, morality and his love for Mary Jane. The movie is not without its lessons – like Peter’s uncle tells him, “with great power comes great responsibility.” It’s easy to root for Peter because, although he has powers and has become somehow more muscular than before, he remains as a normal, geeky guy. He doesn’t become neither arrogant nor excessively heroic; the fact that he’s an everyday nerd make its really easy for the audience to support him through the movie.
The movie also works because of the performances of the lead actors. Tobey Maguire is really good as Peter. He makes the character as likeable as a main character could possibly be, and develops him as a real human instead of just an icon or a paper-thin hero wearing a suit. Kirsten Dunst is effective as the girl next door, Willem Dafoe is suitably chilling and creepy as the Green Goblin – the man has always been excellent at portraying bad guys – and James Franco, while stiff, is not bad as Harry. Supporting performances by Cliff Robertson and Rosemary Harris give some class to the proceedings, but the real scene-stealer is J.K. Simmons. He’s hilarious and sarcastic and J. Jonah Jameson, and apart from looking the part, manages to make the character his own, providing with tons of energy.
That’s not to say Spider-man is perfect. Although it’s supposed to be a big-budget actioner full of special effects, the CGI work is not as good as I would’ve expected. Practical effects are effective, but the moment Peter suits up and starts to jump and swing through the skies of New York, it’s really evident that the character is computer-generated. I’m not saying the special effects are bad, but considering how successful the franchise was and the expectations people had back in 2002, they could’ve done better.
Additionally, I somehow feel the movie has something of a small scope. It doesn’t feel as epic or amazing as the likes of, for example, the original Superman. I’m aware of the fact that it’s an origin story, but I feel Raimi and Koepp could have developed Peter and the overall storyline without sacrificing scope. The film sometimes feel a little too small, and although this perspective is effective during the more dramatic moments or during the dialogue scenes or character development sequences, it’s a little awkward during the fight scenes or action set pieces.
In the end, though, I can’t say I cannot recommend Spider-man. This first entry is neither the worst (that “honour” goes to Spider-Man 3) nor the best (the second installment is definitely superior) of the trilogy, but it nevertheless manages to introduce Peter Parker and the cast of characters of the comic books in a really entertaining fashion. Action scenes are competently shot, special effects, while unremarkable, don’t detract anything from the overall experience, characters are interesting and easy to identify with, and the screenplay is smart and well-written. In short, although Spider-man is not the best comic book film ever created, it’s definitely one of the most effective entries in the genre, and a really fun movie in its own right.
©2008 Sebastián Zavala - Star Wars Epica