The one that started Spider-Man’s run on the big screen turns 18 years old today and in case you couldn’t tell, it has left a MAJOR impact on my life!
Hey Everyone! Welcome to my first ever move review marathon, where the name of the game is to do a review of every film within a series/franchise (or just about any group of connected movies like say Pixar) all back-to-back! For my first one, I thought there wouldn’t be anything else more fitting of someone who calls himself the Friendly Neighborhood Film Nerd than to start with good ol’ Spidey himself, with the first stop being Sam Raimi’s original Spider-Man. And for god’s sake, I am DEFINITELY NOT going to a plot summary especially for this movie because if you don’t how Spider-Man’s origin story goes at this point, then the rock you have been living under for the last rest of your life must be quite comfortable. I’m only leaving the IMDb link here out of spite: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145487/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_7 and oh yeah *Spoiler Alert*, UNCLE BEN GETS SHOT!!!
…alright Alex, you don’t have to kill any readers on this post (You know what, forget I said that). After all, everyone knows Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man for good reason as it was one of the biggest proprietors in bringing the comic book movie genre and for me personally, it quite literally made me who I am today. I legitimately think that it is biologically impossible for me to feel anything less than love for this movie (Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone told me that they heard me muttering “Bonesaw is Reaaaaddddddy!!!” in my sleep) and there is no other reason more glaring than the vision of the guy who I just mentioned.
“Bonesaw?!?!?!”
No! (Although he is great) It’s Sam Raimi because dear god do I love all of the choices he makes as a director in this movie. There’s a reason I always label this and it’s sequel as “Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies”–and it isn’t just to help me distinguish from all of the other Spider-Man movies we have gotten since the original, since Raimi left an undeniable stamp on this movie in the best way that a Sam Raimi can. (Includes Bruce Campbell, every time! Shoots with camp, just like that oh look out, here comes the Sam Raimi cam, *Da, Da, DAH!*) Raimi’s direction here has a splendid mix between heightened comic book flare and emotional depth and complexity that make this move still feel fresh and distinct to this day.
And starting off with my love of what Sam Raimi is just the tip of iceberg when it comes to my massive love for this film. There’s the AWESOME awesome Danny Elfman theme and score (Dare I say, I like it even more than his Batman theme- come at thee!); the strong cinematography (that like Raimi’s direction, helps to highlight the fact this is a colorful and striking comic book movie); the slick editing from Bob Murawski and Arthur Coburn (where there isn’t a moment where you ever feel like you’re waiting at all); the *overall* strong supporting cast (with some really strong performances from Rosemary Harris, Cliff Robertson, and of course- JK Simmons’ LEGENDARY turn as J. Jonah Jameson); and above all else, the story.
David Koepp leads the charge of top-notch storytellers across the board with his script and adaption of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s prized character (may they both Rest in Peace for as long as there is peace on this worth- because they deserve it damn it!). Koepp created a miraculous story that respects the viewer’s empathy to what’s happening onscreen as much as their ability to pick up on the little subtle nuggets that make this surprisingly bittersweet tale of being young flourish in a unique manner. I mean, how often do you find a comic book movie where the movie ends with the hero walking away from what he’s always dreamed of in order to become the hero that New York Needs? Not that often! (And no, I don’t think The Dark Knight counts on that same assessment- FIGHT ME and I, will… probably lose 😦 )
And above everything else is the characterization of Peter Parker that paired with Tobey Maguire’s likable performance… you know what, I don’t even think I have the words to describe it. Let’s just say that it was clearly enough for a kid to fall in love with Spider-Man to the point where he has never not been favorite character ever!
Now with all of that gushing said, is my enormous amounts of nostalgia enough to blind my cinephile brain that know there are issues with this movie? Ah hell no! If I did do that, I would be crazier than Norman in the scene where he talks to the Goblin mask on his chair next to a roaring fire! Yes, Willem Dafoe’s *slightly* over-the-top performance is a definitely a turning point for many viewers (note my *’s over slightly means that I am being sarcastic there- whaaaaaaat?!?!), even if I’ll still enjoy it. Is James Franco probably just a much of a turning point with how miscast he was as Norman Osborn? Yup. Is the movie dated in the glaring use of CGI and the (mostly) stilted action? Oh yeah. And is this movie the definition of pure and unashamed camp that is CERTAINLY not going to be up every viewer in 2020’s alley? Oh yeah!
But, like I said earlier, Spider-Man has forever imprinted itself into my cinephile blood (movie blood, movie blood- radioactive movie blood!) and I will always adore it and consider it a great film for the *Amazing* impact that it has had on my life (Ha!).
Rating: 9/10 and I adore it! (Never haven’t, never won’t)
Boy was that a long one! And given my incredible passion for anything Spidey related, I have a feeling that the story of these reviews will not be for the faint of the heart (If anyone saw that and instantly recognized that as a reference to the opening lines of this movie, I will give you a virtual cookie… not the creepy data-mongering kind though). Anyway, for anyone who has stuck around to this point, thank you so much for reading my first review in this Spider-Man marathon. I know this is coming later in the day than I had originally intended, but for my Spider-Man 2 review and every review there after, I will do my best to make sure that these keep coming at a quick and consistent pace. If you enjoyed my take on the original Spider-Man, then please let me know in the comments below and look forward to a Spider-Man 2 review next week. And as always, you should all know who I am at this point…
I’m Your Friendly Neighborhood Film Nerd!!! (“Wooooo HOOOOOOOOOOO!”)
Spinning the Cineweb 