Spider- Man
Director: Sam Raimi
Screenwriter: David Koepp; Based on the Marvel Comic Book by: Stan Lee, Steve Ditko
Peter Parker/Spider-Man: Tobey Maguire
Norman Osborn/Green Goblin: Willem Dafoe
Mary Jane Watson: Kirsten Dunst
Running time 120 minutes
After years of false starts and legal problems the first big screen version of the classic comic book hero “Spider- Man” is set to spin into theatres on May 3, 2002.
Director Sam Raimi (Darkman, A Simple Plan, The Evil Dead films) was eventually chosen to give Spidey his cinematic bow over Chris Columbus, who went on to do great things with “Harry Potter.” That choice plays wise in a film that is rooted in the two worlds that best suit this superhero - a comic- book geography, in which the character can climb and spin through the urban jungle just as non-Ritalin induced kids scamper about a jungle gym, and old B-movies, where things happen with a rush and no one is afraid to be a little corny.
But I like corn. Especially Popcorn.
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) may be close with his beloved Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) and idealistic Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson), but in a change to the comic books, his academic life isn't quite so rosy. For one thing, he repeatedly gets picked on by his fellow high school students, but more importantly, the love of his life, red-headed beauty Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), hardly knows he exists.
At a science-class outing to a research lab, Peter is bitten by a genetically altered spider. The next morning, he discovers that a) he doesn't need his glasses, b ) his body is buffed out and c) he has spiderlike powers including the ability to cling to any surface, spin tough-as-rope webs and make tremendous leaps. The movie takes some time to explore and have a lot of fun of the latter as the young man explores the range of his new abilities.
But not soon after initially reveling in his newfound web-spinning powers, he learns the hard way that with great power comes great responsibility.
Spider-Man's main opponent this outing is the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), industrialist Norman Osborn in “real life” and father to his best buddy Harry (James Franco). The Green Goblin is a conflicted villain. He holds schizophrenic conversations with himself -- staring into a mirror or at his evil mask --as he struggles against the villainy that has invaded his body. It is once that villainy is set free that “Spider- Man” really gets into gear.
With a lesser cast the script could have come off as weak and contrived, but in the hands of the exceptionally talented Maguire, Dafoe and Dunst it plays just right. Said script also does a decent job of combining the origins of Spidey as we know it in the comics and creating a new world for him here.
Unfortunately some of the action sequences and computer graphics take away from the movie. It’s almost as if this $100 million+ film was made on a cheap shoestring budget. Maybe if the lighting approach wasn't so bright, this is not a dark film, it could have covered up the apparent mistakes. I enjoyed the film more than “Superman” but it fails in many areas compared to the first “Batman.”
But I do have to admit that I liked it. I liked it a lot! I thought it was really great! Not awesome, but great!
Ultimately this release does what the doctor ordered: It sets up “Spider-Man” for a tent pole series that will continue for a long while, or at least until Maguire tires of the role, provides a satisfying first episode and compelling Jekyll-and-Hyde villain, establishes the hero's love interest in Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane Watson and leaves enough threads dangling so you're eager for the next episode.
I guess you could say that "Spider-Man" is a flawed masterpiece. A masterpiece that you’ll likely see more than a few times.
So enjoy the popcorn, and I’ll see you at the movies!
By Dan Reynish, April 10, 2002.
The Cannes Film Festival has announced it's 2002 selections.
AN OFFER HE COULDN'T REFUSE
Sopranos star Robert Iler pleading guilty Tuesday to petty larceny for mugging two youths and stealing $40. In exchange for the plea, the 17-year-old actor was granted youthful-offender status and will receive three years' probation.
The "Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones" toys have hit stores.
In case you need to know, "Star Trek: Nemesis'" cast members reveal plot points.
Playwright working on 'Indy 4' script
Although there have been countless false-starts to the fourth Indiana Jones film, Variety reports that the project is getting back on track with an unlikely new screenwriter: Tom Stoppard.
Stoppard earned his reputation as a playwright ("Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead," "The Real Thing") before shifting into screenwriting with credits such as Terry Gilliam's "Brazil," the Oscar-winning "Shakespeare In Love", and the forthcoming Mick Jagger-produced spy film "Enigma."
So what's the connection between high-brow Stoppard and the Indiana Jones franchise's kings of popcorn movies, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas? Answer: the man who plays Indiana Jones himself.
Variety says Stoppard did some rewrite work on star Harrison Ford's forthcoming submarine thriller "K-19: The Widowmaker." And Stoppard reportedly did some uncredited script-doctoring to 1989's "Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade." He also has a history with Spielberg, writing the screenplay for the director's adaptation of J.G. Ballard's "Empire Of The Sun."
While Stoppard will be responsible for writing the screenplay, Variety said Lucas is the one who came up with a story idea that energized both Spielberg and Ford, although no details have been released as to the plot.
Over the years, there have been dozens of rumoured scenarios for "Indian Jones 4." Jeffrey Boam ("Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, "Lethal Weapon 3") was said to be working on a treatment back in 1999. M. Night Shyamalan ("The Sixth Sense") was also rumoured to be cooking up his own sequel script, while "Traffic" screenwriter Stephen Gaghan was also said to be in talks with Lucas and Spielberg.
Meanwhile, impatient fans have taken matters into their own hands, circulating unofficial sequel scripts with titles such as "Indiana Jones And The Sword Of Arthur" and "Indiana Jones And The Saucermen From Mars."
Variety said Stoppard's screenplay is to be in place so "Indiana Jones 4" can go into production in 2004. In January, Spielberg told Fox News that "Indy 4" would be his priority once he completes "Catch Me If You Can" with Leonardo DiCaprio.