Raimi Delivers the Goods

Rating: 10/10 (5 May 2002)

It may be a story lifted from the pages of a comic book, but with some strong performances, a focused story and some great F/X, director Sam Raimi puts blood in the veins of one of the best superheroes ever to hit the big screen. And let's face it, right now the world needs just such a character; someone who can right wrongs, stave off injustice, assuage fears and give people a sense of security in a world seemingly gone amuck at times, and thanks to the magic of the movies we have him now. His name is `Spider-Man.'
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is a normal, if not typical teenager; mature beyond his years, he would rather attend a science fair than go to a rave, he lives with his aunt and uncle (Rosemary Harris, Cliff Robertson) and has been in love with Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), the girl who lives next door, since about the first grade. `MJ,' however, doesn't even know he exists; except for an occasional `hello,' they barely know one another. But though Peter doesn't know it, all of that-- Peter's life-- is about to undergo a radical change.
On a field trip to a science lab, Peter is bitten by a spider-- not just any spider, but one that's been genetically altered. And when he wakes up the next morning, he finds himself changed; it's not exactly Kafka's Metamorphosis, but he does have new life and new energy, and beginning with his vision (he suddenly can see clearly without his glasses), he gradually discovers that he has certain physical abilities that do not necessarily coincide with the kind of changes consistent with a young man of his age. Like being able to spin webs from his wrists and climb up the side of buildings. And now all he has to do is learn how to control and use his newly found prowess, and decide what to do with it all. Which he does very quickly, when circumstances provide him with a motive and a personal agenda that leads him to become, as Peter himself puts it, `Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.'
With this film, Raimi takes a page out of the Tim Burton Book and gives us a character that is convincing and real, because he shows us the man first, and then the superhero. Like Burton did in the original `Batman,' in which Michael Keaton played to the man, rather than to the `bat,' Raimi takes Maguire down the same path, having him play to Peter, rather than the `spider.' And it makes all the difference in the world. Instead of merely thrusting a full-blown superhero onto the screen, Raimi first develops a plausible storyline (screenplay by David Koepp) complete with a central character to whom the audience can relate, and once that is established it enables the audience to suspend disbelief and go with the flow when Peter emerges as Spider-Man. The F/X are incredible, and Raimi uses the stunning visual aspect of the film to great effect, but it would all be for naught without the solid core of believable characters he puts into place and then uses as a foundation upon which to build the spectacular. It's reality based, but imaginatively presented-- Raimi definitely knows what works and how to entertain and involve his audience, which he certainly does here. And this is arguably Raimi's best work yet.
When it was announced that Tobey Maguire had landed the role of Spider-Man, you could almost hear the collective audible gasp of fans everywhere. Tobey Maguire? Spider-Man? !!! But-- as it turns out-- it was inspired casting, as Maguire is perfect as everybody's favorite web-slinger. In fact, hopefully he's been signed to a multi-picture deal, because now it is impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. Without question, Maguire IS Spider-Man. His appearance, the way he carries himself-- his entire countenance-- combined with his attitude and the subtle way he expresses himself, are all part and parcel of what brings Peter Parker and Spider-Man to life. Maguire, as he has demonstrated previously in such films as `The Ice Storm' and `The Cider House Rules,' has a naturally pleasing and accessible personality that serves him so well in the characters he creates, and none more so than with his portrayal of Peter. He has the talent and ability to aptly convey that `ordinary person under extraordinary circumstances' scenario and make it believable, which is exactly what was needed to make this film successful; and Maguire nails it with a performance that is introspective and affecting, and it makes the character-- as well as the film-- work.
Willem Dafoe also contributes to the film's appeal with his portrayal of Norman Osborn, aka, the `Green Goblin.' Not since the Joker sparred with Batman has the screen had such a memorable villain; and again, Dafoe first plays to the man-- to Osborn-- and then to the `Goblin,' which puts a real face on Evil and gives the character the depth that makes him more than just superficially `bad.' Defoe goes that extra mile to make a Osborn real, and deserves credit for giving him real substance, rather than being satisfied with a one dimensional character that has nothing going on beneath the surface. The Goblin is a complex character, and Dafoe plays him perfectly.
Kirsten Dunst had something of a challenge with her role of Mary Jane, as the character is somewhat ambiguous; on one hand, she plays a pivotal role in motivating Spider-Man, while her own part in the grand scheme of things remains uncertain until the end. And only then are we given a glimpse of the direction in which MJ may go, and it will be interesting to see how the character develops in the next installment, now that the groundwork has been ably laid by Dunst. In the final analysis, `Spider-Man' is a winner that is going to attract a huge following; this is one film that definitely has legs. 10/10.