Another Success for Marvel Comics!

Rating: 10/10 (14 June 2002)

I've always enjoyed movies that are made based on comic books. In fact one of my earliest movie going memories was watching the original 1978 SUPERMAN with Christopher Reeve and Gene Hackman. Then when BATMAN was released I then not only enjoyed movies more, but also comic books. Then Hollywood decided to "cash in" on the success of BATMAN, and release more films based on comic books (PUNISHER, CAPTIAN AMERICA, SPAWN, BLADE, etc.) But Warner Bros. was just as gulity by releasing more than enough sequals for BATMAN (they should have stopped after Tim Burton and Michael Keaton bowed out). But now the latest craze is Marvel comics. With the success and great quality of X-MEN two years ago, now comes the biggest and most anticipated Marvel super-hero: SPIDER-MAN! For those who never read the comic, or watch the 1970's cartoon (with the catchy song title) here is the basic story of the plot that is in the film. Before he was a super-hero, he was a super-nerd, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is the top student and achiever at his high school. For that he is teased and picked on by the other jealous and cruel students, but Peter has normal small dreams. The only thing that he really wants is to win the heart of the friendly girl that he has had the biggest crush with, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). I can relate with that. While on a field trip at the science center, Peter is bitten at his hand by one of the super-spiders that are scientific engineered. With this bite, Peter inherits all of the powers that the super-spider has: stong web, able to jump great distance, stonger muscles, etc. While Peter discovers his new powers, his only other friend (besides Mary Jane) Harry Osborn (James Franco) is realizing that his father, brilliant scientist and millionare Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe) is acting strange, and there are bizarre murders surrounding Norman's science company. Norman self-tested a powerful chemical that backfired and drove Norman to become schizophrenic and also have super human strength. With Peter and Norman's super strength, Peter becomes the friendly and brave Spider-Man, with Norman's new evil mind he becomes the dark and vicious Green Goblin. Now with these two powers in New York City, who will win? That is the premise of the plot, it's not complex, but then again which comic book into film is? Comic books are mostly based on characters and their personalities. But to have a successful comic film, you need to have your characters (especially your super-heroes) well developed, not paper thin. SUPERMAN, BATMAN, and X-MEN all did this, and I'm pleased to say that SPIDER-MAN is the same. Screenwriter David Koepp does a great job developing the characters for the screen. You understand who Peter, Mary Jane, and Norman are, and you seen that there is more of a human personality with their characters. While director Sam Raimi does a great job with the pacing of the story, keeping it entertaining and exciting. But most of all, giving it the same type of flow that you would read in a comic-book. And the music score by the much beloved Danny Elfman also gives it a comic-book feel. Note: if you're going to make a comic-book into film, you must have Danny Elfman do the music score. But what I feel the strongest element with SPIDER-MAN is the romantic chemistry between Peter and Mary Jane. I haven't seen such a romantic relationship in a comic into film since Superman and Lois Lane. Instead of just casting someone to play the damsel in distress, Kristin Dunst does a great job as Mary Jane. While Tobey Maguire also gets kudos as the love-struck Peter who is always smitten with her, but won't reveal his secret-identity as Spider-Man (with whom Mary Jane falls in love with). And Willem Dafoe is also good as the villian Green Goblin. I think creator Stan Lee should be proud of what Sam Raimi and company did with his most popular comic character. What I also enjoyed about SPIDER-MAN is that it has a tounge-in-cheek humor similar to the original SUPERMAN. Who didn't laugh when Clark Kent went to the phone booth to change into Superman, to see that it's not a full booth? The scene where Peter first reveals his super-human strength during a wrestling match has the same kind of humor. Overall, SPIDER-MAN isn't Oscar material, but it is fun, and that's it purpose. Had SPIDER-MAN been released last summer, it would have easily been the best film of the summer, along with A.I. Let's just hope that the rest of this summer's film will be just as good. But I doubt it will. Very entertaining and enjoyable! ***** (out of five)