In Memory of my beloved grandmother (1929 - 2021)
Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my movie review.
For the past decades, we saw Iron Man, The Hulk, Captain America and many other heroes in Marvel on the big screen with plenty of success (for the most parts) thanks to popularity of "Marvel Cinematic Universe" by Marvel Studio and Disney, which i have to say that, im always support and respect the MCU since i watched Iron Man. However, we gotta go back in time that before Disney brought Marvel for creating their cinematic universe that changed the superheroes genre in movie industry, we're taking a look that was the most classic and my childhood favorite film ever since i... Never had a Marvel comics, all i had is watching a TV show, a video game adaptation from the movie and my childhood coloring book...
"Spider-Man" is a 2002 superhero film and adaptation of our friendly neighborhood hero from Marvel comics that was directed by Sam Raimi, produced by Laura Ziskin and Ian Bryce and written by David Koepp.
Ever since i talked about the Marvel superheroes that i mentioned, i saved the last one that not only i have a fond memory of this movie, but Spider-Man is also my number one childhood favorite comic hero as a kid. However, the film's development are rather a difficulty start, since it was started all the way back in 80's, where Marvel comics (mainly with Stan Lee) had a numerous negotiations with producers and directors to having our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man on the big screen, which it had a long hell development for the writings with horror content that Stan Lee hated it, the pick of the villains of either Dr. Octopus, Electro or the Green Goblin, a whole lot of directors based on aforementioned list, ranging from Tobe Hoper and Joseph Zito, a licensing that might screwing the time and the money and even financial issues. When James Cameron was picked, he has 45 "Scriptment" that he was credited (for the most part), which is gonna be hard to tell for which one of them will be worth it for David Koepp, though might picking up some script that Cameron gave, James bowed out from the studio, that is until Sam Raimi came in as a not only as a director (for the second time of a superhero film since he had done with Darkman), but he's also a huge fan of Spider-Man in his youth, which he's more than excited when he came in, which he checked in for the change and fixing the issues, whether some elements will in the movie or some will be cut (though some wouldn't happen until Spider-Man 2).
Originally, the film was supposed to be released on 2001 with a trailer involving the robbers being trapped in webs between the twin towers of World Trade Centers, but due to the horrific event known as 9/11, not only some scenes will be edited out and cut, but it was pushed to May 3 2002 in theaters. By the time it came out, the critics and audience are highly praised this movie for the action and a respectful adaptation of Spider-Man, and it made a lotta money at the box-office over $825 million, which is 8 times more than the budget ($139 million).
So, now i grew up to looking back at this movie, will this movie still holds up with great power comes great responsibility, or is it not ready to having a spider power on its system?
Well, lets find out.
The Story
For the plot, its a pretty simple story like any superhero films out there, but at least it has a fascinating plot.
The plot begins where we introduce Peter Parker, a young nerd student who's often get bullied and sometimes got distracted from Mary-Jane Watson for his falling in love. But while he (along with his best pal Harry Osborn) goes to the genetic lab in Columbia University, he was bitten by a special engineered super spider (which it got escaped for some reason, though not a radioactive one might i add) and got ill when he comes back home, but then when he got up and back to school, he didn't realized he's been changed from his new shape and his view being cleared to giving himself a super-sense (aka Spider-sense), strength, agility and shooting organic web from his wrists (yup, he has organic webs instead a web-shooter device like in comics or in MCU) to becoming Spider-Man (though he was originally to be called "Human-Spider"). Meanwhile, we have Harry's father Norman Osborn, the owner of his science corp called "Oscorp", he wants to have a contract deal with the US military, they denied his deal due to several issues what they have, which Norman thought it will be a good idea to doing his experiment test on himself, but after its messy execution, he became a crazed split-personality from normal person to rampage one in his goblin-like armor and his glider what we called "Green Goblin", its up to Peter Parker/Spider-Man to facing against the green menacer once and for all.
Its a pretty good to follow and sorta faithful from the comics as we all know, especially it has some elements that followed well, such as Peter Parker participating pro-wrestling for his fighting skills and need to earning money and seeking revenge over the gun robber who shot down his beloved Uncle Ben, even he has a difficulty time that he wanted to listening his uncle's advice, but his selfishness put him away, leaving a tragic moment what we see for his biggest regret, but does got change to becoming a superhero as we know.
Though one element that i like its not just the fight between Spidey and Green Goblin, but rather no matter how many times Gobby confronts our main hero, he offers him to be on his side, which in secret, Peter has a good respect with Osborn family, while Norman will probably know who he is. Of course, they also put some extra elements involving the witness of Spider-Man that we introduced our lovable hated big boss and publisher of Dailey Bugle named J. Jonah Jameson, sure it has nothing to do with main story, but just a plot device about Green Goblin, and also slandering Spider-Man as pure evil of the public, but i won't give more once il going to the characters.
Though the story is oversimply, but at least its a decent plot for get-go.
The Presentation
As a superhero film was released in 2002, it looks rather impressive.
With a film about our web-crawling hero lives in New York, they definitely filmed around on New York City like in Time Square, Queensboro Bridge, the rooftop garden at Rockefeller Center and several others in NY, although most shots are filmed in California like Natural History Museum as "Columbia University" and Pacific Electricity Building for Daily Bugle offices. Of course, several scenes involving the twin towers are cut and edited out due to... Well, an obvious horrific reasons... Not to mention, several shots are filmed in Sony's soundstages like Peter's home in Stage 29 and the wrestling ring and the first battle of Spider and Goblin in stage 27. Although the filming could be troublesome at the time, such as a construction worker Tim Holcombe was killed when the modified forklifter as a crane crashed at construction basket, resulting Sony got fined for the death.
For the costumes, they are pretty good design. Lets start with Spider-Man's suit that it is the most iconic movie's superhero suit ever, since its obviously design based on comic with thick web stripes and even eyes parts are mirror look-a-like. I love that suit so much and its no wonder why this suit was brought back in PS4 Spider-Man. Of course, it was done in skintight outfit with single piece like the mask which it has to be altered from different shot. Although, they have a problematic moment with the suit, im not saying about how tight that suit was, but rather it was stolen during the filming, but thankfully, it only lasted for 18 months to capture a robber. And as the Human-Spider, it looks not bad as i can say.
However, the challenging suit in the movie is gotta be the Green Goblin. In the original Goblin's design (mainly for the mask), it was supposed to be a living goblin-like much like in the comic with the use of animatronic that was done by Amalgamated Dynamics, but it was considered to be pretty challenging for the effects for the action, so they changed to wearing a armor helmet of goblin what we have in the movie.
As for the actions and the effects, though its somewhat aged at the time, but its still look impressive. Its obvious to say that most action scenes are done with CG, because doing a traditional stunt is rather pretty life risking, so a lot of intense action scene are done with CG like web-swing scene and the fight between Spider vs Gobby. Though the color schemes are pretty challenging for their actions, since Spider-Man was done in greenscreen, while Green Goblin was shot in bluescreen, which filming together will have one character being erased for one shot.
Despite it has some challenging and some trouble moments while making the movie, the presentation while its sorta didn't age well, it still looks impressive at its time.
The Characters
For the characters in the movie, its no secret that they're likable that we all know, for the most parts.
Lets start off with the OG live-action movie of Peter Parker/Spider-Man (played by Tobey Maguire), he's started a nerd student who loves comics at the times and sometimes an awkward young fella, but later on once he has his spider powers, he got himself trouble from scaring students to fighting against Flash Thompson to being nearly selfish what he wanted, but when his beloved Uncle Ben was shot down, he was changing to a brave and cocky hero, even if its not easy to keeping himself in secret as Spider-Man. But its easy to say that Tobey's role of Spider-Man is the most memorable in the film, he's fun, relatable and Tobey's performance is legendary, even though was in mid-20's to playing as a teenage student.
Next we have our main antagonist in this movie, Norman Osborn/Green Goblin (played by Willem Dafoe), a science boss of his corporation that he ended turning into a split personality person from his experiment gone wrong. I find him to be a fascinating villain in the movie, he's like to supervillain version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with Willem Dafoe's performance that he did a pretty good work of his role, especially with his evil persona form with his evil laugh.
After that, we have Mary-Jane Watson (played by Kirsten Dunst), she's basically not just a typical damsel in distress, but she's childhood love interest from Peter and aspired to becoming an actress (though started with her abusive father). I find her ok in the movie, even if she does get interest for our main hero. Though, Kirsten did a pretty good work of her role.
Next, there's Harry Osborn (played by James Franco), who's not only the son of Norman Osborn, but also Peter's best pal. He's another ok character in the movie, which we all know he was supposed to be going with MJ, despite Peter still likes her in his past, despite the build up, at least he may have a good respect to Pete. Though yes, as im working my review, he's getting S*** out of fame, due to his um... Unprofessional movement allegations. But i will say, he did a nice work of his performance.
Then we have Parker's family, Uncle Ben (played by the late Cliff Robertson) and Aunt May (played by Rosemary Harris), they're obviously used for plot development for Peter, but of course, they have a good heart for our main hero, especially with Ben, he's a tragic likable grandpa that he just wants to give a motivation to Pete to dealing with bullies without taking aggression or selfish, along with his important phrase "With great power, comes great responsibility" before he's shot down and died, much like in the comic. Same goes for Aunt May, though she may not as device to Pete, but then again, she has a good respect to Pete. Of course, with these veteran actors, they did a great work, specially for Cliff Robertson, which he sadly passed away in 2011. RIP Cliff.
And finally, the one that i like to save the last is J. Jonah Jameson (played by J.K. Simmons), the big publisher in Daily Bugle who always believing Spider-Man is a public menace and always standing his statement, cause he's a big boss. Even though we mainly love to hate him, but honestly, i find him the most fascinating one in the film, its not just of his development for being slanderous for our friendly neighborhood web-crawler, but rather Simmons totally nailed his performance that we enjoyed, not wonder he came back to playing the character in "Spider-Man: Far from home" in mid-credit scene (My apology for spoiler, btw) and recently, he plays as the badass father Omni-Man from "Invincible" on Amazon Prime Video (And no, i haven't subscribing it.).
As for the rest of characters, they're also not bad, but they deserves to be credited that i liked and note worthy.
There's Jameson's assistants like Robbie Robertson (played by Bill Nunn) who's the editor that despite following his boss's works but has opposite feeling that Spider-Man is a hero, Ted Hoffman (played by Ted Raimi, who's Sam's brother) who's an employee for either help or giving announcement, and Betty Brant (played by Elizabeth Banks, yes i know, this is before he made her craptacular remake of Charlie's Angels), who's a secretary who's always keep her eyes on Jameson whenever she's asking for request or doesn't going on the way.
Bonesaw McGraw was played by none other than "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who's one the most famous wrestler from the 80's and 90's for his performance and his cream of the crop promos, but its too bad he's also passed away in 2011.
There's one mugger who tries to attacking MJ was played by former kickboxer Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, though uncredited, but its pretty surprising what i may or may not noticed. In fact, he's the same guy who fought Jackie Chan twice from "Wheels on Meals" and "Dragons forever", but he lost his epic fight scenes, ouchies.
Of course since this is Sam Raimi's movie, its pretty obvious that my favorite actor Bruce Campbell will shown up in cameo, because he's Sam's best friend. In this movie, he played as the ring announcer of wrestling and even didn't like the name "Human-Spider", aw well. And speaking of Sam Raimi, yes, he's even acted in the movie, but as one random fanboy of Bonesaw by tossing popcorns in off-screen.
And lastly, since this is also a Marvel movie, Stan Lee will also shown up in cameo, this time where he was panic when Green Goblin is on the loose for rampage and saving a young girl.
While most characters are fascinated, but sorta underdeveloped, but it's mainly focus on Peter, Norman Osborn and maybe MJ. But then again, it has some note worthy moments.
SPOILER ALERT for those who haven't seen the movie or don't mind:
The final act is quite of rollercoaster ride like any films that i reviewed, but it goes from struggling, brutal to understandable.
After Peter Parker stayed in hospital to checking Aunt May, they're in conversation to sharing the past and present together at first, but not before that he realized that he has a major weakness, his identity (But don't worry, he didn't exposing himself at his aunt). He goes for a public phone to checking MJ, but got interrupted by his nemesis, Green Goblin. Which he held MJ and the kart of "Roosevelt Island trolley" in hostage to proclaim "heroes are for worthless", but Peter Parker as Spider-Man took his choice by saving MJ and the aerial tramway kart, after getting beat by Goblin while holding safe on both (along with the people of New York on the bridge protesting to leave Spider-Man alone), he saved them by carefully dropping it on the boat. But the celebration was far from over, as Green Gobby proceeds to kidnapping Spider-Man to an abandoned house, blown him away with his pumpkin bomb and brutally beaten him up that he wanted to kill MJ than forcing her to be with himself.
But Spider-Man took his upper-hand by crushing him with the wall of bricks, tossing him to another wall with multiple of punching in the Face! (Jesus Pete, i know you're reaching the boiling point, but don't take your anger to a higher level, haven't seen Star Wars, bud?) After a brutal beating the Green Goblin is changed back to Norman himself that despite he revealing himself that despite he fought him, he's begging for mercy to be in his part of family, but Pete said otherwise that his "father" was Uncle Ben (since you know, he likes him as a beloved father figure), but Norman none to please when he secretly activates his glider to kill Spider-Man, but of course, with his spider-sense, he avoided it and Norman is impaled to death by his own glider.
But once Spider-Man takes care the body to his home, Harry was shocked and angered to believing that he killed his father (Though we probably get used to it for the next movies), meaning he wants his revenge over our main hero. Meanwhile, aside of hugging his best pal, Peter still misses his beloved uncle, but Mary-Jane shows up that despite she's understandable for his loss of his father figure, she confesses Pete that despite she's saved by Spider-Man, she wants to be in loving relationship to him, though Peter appreciates her confession, but he sadly rejects her that he'll always be with her as a friend, which after walking away, this is his decision for not only hiding his identity, but also keeping his eyes on her to be safe, this is all given from his uncle's message "With great power, comes great responsibility", its his gift and curse, as himself and Spider-Man.
Quite of climatic fight between of two, but it does gave us a sorta satisfied ending where Parker chooses to reject her as a friend to protect her.
And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall, despite the film is rather oversimplified, but as a grown up man who had a find memory of this film, i still enjoy it, the story is pretty good to have some faithful from the comics, the presentation is impressive and the characters are despite some flaws, but they're good for say the least. Even though today some might say its not the best start, but back then, it was a big deal with good reviews and a jackpot box-office.
Is it recommended movie? I'd say yes, then again, most people said it may not as fresh as the later installments, but give it a shot to see this movie if you want, my friend.
For my rating, its a tough one to give, i wanted to giving a perfect rating, but il tone it down while looking back as a 25 year old man. So, il give it a 8/10.
So this ends of my movie review, but, its far from over, because i decided to looking back at two remaining Spider-Man films by Sam Raimi. That's right, il do the marathon of the trilogy.
So tune it next time, we're going for the sequel that many people considered as the best one.
Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.
