This is a great origin story movie and the second Marvel superhero movie of the 2000’s, following Fox’s X-Men. With Sam Raimi at the helm, this movie certainly has it horror movie moments. I still remember to this day, seeing the goblin jump scare as a child and jumping out of my seat! The final battle of the movie really shows off a gritty, horror style battle which is incredible. Sam Raimi was the perfect director for the first outing for Spider-Man on the big screen.
The movie flows pretty quickly, jumping right into establishing the main characters while simultaneously, showing the cohesive origins of Spider-Man and the Green goblin.
What I like:
I loved the character interactions. Tobey’s Peter Parker is certainly, an awkward nerd. Raimi and Maguire nailed this. The scene on the bus at the beginning where nobody will let him sit down, Peter thinking MJ is waving at him and Peter talking to himself, fantasizing about how it would go to ask her out, early on in the movie, really establishes just how awkward Peter is and it’s great. They nailed this.
Once Peter is bitten by the spider, you can see the change and his liking of his new body and powers. Of course, it leads him down the wrong path and to letting the robber get away which results in the true origin of Spider-Man. “The ad said 3000!” With great power comes great responsibility. Time to die Uncle Ben!
The suit looked great and so did the CGI for 2002.
Willem Dafoe as the Green Goblin was perfect. His laugh, the Jekyll and Hyde demeanor, the ruthless business man. Every aspect of Norman Osborn was portrayed perfectly by Dafoe. The dialogue between The Goblin and Spider-Man on the rooftop is one of my favorite comic book movie scenes, where the Goblin is telling Spider-Man that all the people of New York that love him now, will turn on him eventually. “The one thing they love more than a hero is to see a hero fail.” – Green Goblin.
J.K. Simmons as JJJ = Perfection
Rose Mary Harris and Cliff Robertson as Aunt May And Uncle Ben is great. Feels like a very loving family for Peter and very grounded. Their relationships are not perfect but the love is there and it feels like a real parent to child relationship with a teenager.
The final battle. This battle was nasty, violent and perfect. It’s still to this day, the most violent on screen fight we have seen in a Spider-Man movie and it ends perfectly. “Don’t tell Harry”
Lastly, the end of the movie where Harry tells Peter “thank god for you, Peter” while following up by promising to make Spider-Man pay is the perfect moment that defines what being Spider-Man is and Raimi doubles down on this in the next scene where MJ wants to be with Peter but he gives her up to protect her. This is Peter Parker’s punishment for being the hero. His best friend wants to kill him and he can’t be with the woman he loves. Raimi nailed the Spider-Man/Peter Parker dynamic perfectly. Being the hero comes at a price.
What I didn’t like:
I wish the movie was a little longer. Felt a bit fast paced but that’s because I always want more of a good thing.
Goblin Costume. I wish it was a bit more classic with purple but I understand at the time, that could have looked silly to go the classic route. It will be forever known as the power ranger goblin costume.
Some of the dialogue was cheesy but I understand, Raimi went for the 60’s campy feel for the movie. “it’s you who is out gobby, out of your mind”. A bit cringe but the movie is great enough, I’ll let it go.
Final thoughts:
This is a great origin story movie. It establishes all of the main characters and it sets the tone for the sequel. Although, Peter Parker feels free when he is Spider-Man, he will be punished for being the hero. At the end of the movie, Peter chooses to be Spider-Man but it comes at a price, which it should. Tobey Maguire nails being the nerdy kid from Queens and Raimi makes sure to make Peter Parker’s life a nightmare due to choosing to wear the mask, which is what makes this movie so great. The movie also gave us the greatest movie song of all-time.
4 out of 5 stars.
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