Spider-Man-Mary Jane’s Addiction
Sam Rami and Stan Lee made a lot of people nervous and sort of little bit sad, when they announced they were embarking on a Spider-man movie. So often the comic book fan had seen their expectations obliterated on the screen with comic book adaptations that are criminally painful. Spider-Man is definitely one of the most loved of all the superheros, the ultimate, average guy who has remarkable abilities toss upon him via the all too popular comic book mechanism of “the accident.” Where would comic books be without the accident. As someone who wanted to be Spider-Man as a kid, and briefly a cowboy version of Spider-Man, I will admit I had some trepidation. But they pulled it off. Spider-Man is one of the best superhero movies ever. The script was pretty solid but predictable, the CG was great, the costume turned out pretty well and if you remember the 1970s television show, you understand that there was some bad history with that Spider-Man costume.
By now you probably know that Peter Parker acquired his super abilities via a radioactive spider bit. If you can move pass all the logic flaws embedded within, you have a fun slice of escapism pie. In this, the first film, we see Spider-Man tackle the Green Goblin, played by Willem Dafoe, who needed very little make-up to be transformed into the Green Goblin.
I wish I could say that Spider-Man is perfect, but it is one flaw that hopefully will be addressed before the sequel. Kristen Dunst seems pretty stoned through most of the film, but there is little chance of seeing that one fixed. Hey, I’m not saying she was using mary jane while playing Mary Jane, I’m just saying she looked like that was the case. There could be a myriad of other reasons, late night partying, late night partying, late night drug parties or, no that is pretty much it. Dunst’s performance is, overall fine, but she doesn’t work for the part. She doesn’t seem wholesome or perky, just stoned. Dunst doesn’t make a believable Mary Jane, and the odds of her being replaced are, slim to none.
Hey, what else is there to say? Spider-Man delivered. They didn’t screw it up, apparently the MBA’s left the creatives, they so often loathe, alone long enough to get the job done, but maybe for once the MBA’s should have exercised a little more control–on the casting.
Story B- (The scenes where Peter explores the physical capable of Spider-Man are really top notch and serve well to draw the audience further into the suspension of disbelief. The script hits the key notes of the comic book overall, and there a fun moments, but the story doesn’t build any new legacy.)
Acting B-
Visuals A
Originality/Innovation B
Enjoyability Grade B+
Home Theater/HD Factor B+
Overall Grade B+
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