Two things which may ruin the franchise...

Rating: 9/10 (6 July 2004)

*SPOILER ALERT* This is a terrific movie. But I wonder at the wisdom of two of director Raimi's story decisions: having Peter Parker passionately kiss Mary Jane and confess his love, and revealing Spidey's identity to her as well. He never does either in the long-running Spider-man comicbooks, because not doing so is essential to the dynamics of "Spider-man" itself. It was crucial that Peter and M.J.'s desire for each other be unrequited to sustain that sexual tension. Now it's gone and can't be effectively replaced by anything the series' future writers will be forced to contrive. And revealing his identity -- even if to just one person -- eliminates the formerly eternal mystery of "Who's Spider-man?" His constant vacillation about these two matters were at the heart of Peter's nagging insecurities. What are we to make of a sexually satisfied, self-confident Peter Parker from now on? I think these developments can only diminish the franchise's future.