#309: Spider-Man

Release Date: May 3rd, 2002

Format: Streaming (Netflix)

Written by: David Koepp

Directed by: Sam Raimi

4 Stars

How powerful was the effect of Tim Burton’s Batman when I saw it at 7-years-old? So powerful that it had me pledging my undying loyalty to the caped crusader throughout the rest of my childhood.

All those other corny superheroes can go kick rocks. 

So it wasn’t until this morning that I finally saw Sam Raimi’s megahit from 2002, Spider-Man.

It’s great. I was wrong. I should have seen this in theaters along with the rest of the world.

Its strengths are so immediately apparent. Raimi makes the wise decision to zig where Burton zagged. If his Batman was going to be conflicted, cool, and calculating (both the character and the film), Raimi’s Spider-Man was going to be earnest, wholesome, and friendly. Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire; perfectly cast) is nice, and his worldview is nice. 

It’s a refreshing tone for a superhero flick, and a tone that probably wouldn’t have been possible had the movie been shot just a few months later, after the attack on the World Trade Center towers. We see this post-9/11 effect in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, in which the themes center around morality in an increasingly turbulent world. They are heavy, ponderous superhero films.            

Not so with Raimi’s Spider-Man. It’s an origin story that’s got teenage love, family values, dreams of the future, and most importantly, a hero that swings through New York City (woo hoo!), saving the day and fighting crime.

Even when the evil Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe, having so much fun) shows up, the film stays true to what it is: a superhero adventure.

There’s no irony here, no winking at the camera. Raimi bravely sacrifices cool for innocence. 

He also brings such enthusiasm and ingenuity to the filmmaking. How did he pull this off? You’ll see the early ‘00s CGI work (which looks good), but you’ll also notice him employing lots of practical effects, stunt men, in-camera tricks, miniatures, matte paintings, and lots of other stuff that I personally couldn’t figure out.

This whole-hearted approach to the filmmaking marries well with the movie’s pure intentions and it’s just a real good time. 

I’m sorry Batman, you know you’re still my one true love, but this Spidey guy is pretty fun.

Postscript: Dakota was basking in the glory of showing this to me for the first time. Thanks babe.