Spider-Man Breaks 200 Million in 2 Weeks and It's No Wonder Why

I never read the Spider-man comics, but I thoroughly enjoyed this action-packed flick. When the trailers started to appear more and more frequently, I became more and more anxious to see this movie. I knew who and what Spiderman was, but I never really became interested in the whole idea until I saw an HBO special on how they made it. Normally I don’t like to watch the HBO specials because some things can be given away, but in this case I was sucked in. I’d heard many things about the special effects, but I was thirsty for the cold hard facts. Watching the HBO special pretty much quenched that thirst, and as soon as it did, I needed to see the movie. I bought my tickets a week in advance, and showed up at the theater an hour early.

This movie is based on the well-known title character of Marvel comics, Spider-man. It tells the story of Peter Parker’s (Tobey Maguire) life, beginning with when he’s a student living with his Aunt May and Uncle Ben after the untimely death of his parents. Peter is a devoted student with a knack for science. His social life is in the gutter with the exception of his best friend, Harry Osborn (James Franco). Peter is constantly getting picked on, until one day his class takes a field trip to a nearby science facility. Peter is busy taking pictures of his crush, Mary-Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), when all of a sudden a genetically enhanced spider crawls on his hand and bites him. Within the next day, Peter undergoes a massive change as he becomes Spider-man, and inherits all these special powers including his “spidey-sense” that warms him when danger is close. “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility,” is the lesson Spider-man is soon to learn.

Blown away, those are the two words I would use to describe my experience in the movie theater. I guess the blown away is in reference to my overall feelings and not just one specific thing in the movie. I hear many people saying that the movie was “true to the comic book story” but I can’t say that since I never read the comics. The reason I just added that little bit is to tell other people like me that movie apparently stayed true to the original story, which is a good thing.

The story, a collective result from Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, and David Koepp, is well written and well crafted. Stan Lee (comic book god) and Steve Ditko were the writers of the comic book. They essentially crafted the story. David Koepp wrote the screenplay. The storyline of the movie was quite an intriguing one. It was so cool to watch the change in Spider-man, and it was also cool to see him adjust to his powers. I can best relate it to Harry Potter, and how he realized all the magical skills he was capable of.

The dialog wasn’t anything special, but it was good. It didn’t give you a worse opinion of the movie, but it didn’t boost or raise your opinion either. Let me put it this way: it’s the best dialog we’ve seen so far from a movie based on a comic book, so we have to give David Koepp credit for that.

Direction was the key to this movie. All the adaptations from the screenplay were very wise, and I think that Sam Raimi did a good job. I liked all the camera shots too, but that credit is due to the cinematographer. Actually, the director can tell the cinematographer what shots to take, but the cinematographer is usually the one to make it happen.

The special effects were phenomenal. The jumping from building to building, or most importantly the swinging from building to building was amazing. They made it look like it was easy to do. All the angles that were taken in the swinging were so cool. I was dumbfounded by the technology that this movie used. It was as if I felt I was actually swinging across New York. I was absolutely mesmerized.

The action was also incredible. When the Green Goblin fought Spider-man it was like a whole new age of fighting was spawned. The weapons they threw and used were things from a different era. There were these little bombs that had different functions; it was really quite creative. Also the machine that the Green Goblin used to travel was quite impressive, I’d call it a technologically advance surfboard with rockets and a jet engine.

Tobey Maguire was outstanding. This is the best job I’ve seen him do in a movie. He gave his character so many dimensions. I thought he had some odd facial expressions though. For example, when he was crying (I can’t tell you why because it could ruin the movie for you) he had a smile on his face. I didn’t quite understand that, but maybe I was missing out on something. Tobey nailed the role of the mysterious, shy, genuinely kind-hearted teenager. He took on the role so brilliantly, and I think it’s something that all the critics acknowledged.

Kirsten Dunst got this role after Kate Hudson and Alicia Witt turned it down. She wasn’t as beautiful as she normally is because she had red hair. I don’t think it suits her that well. Don’t get me wrong though, she was still plenty beautiful. Anyway, her acting was good. I don’t think it was outstanding, but it was definitely good. I mean, she was adorable, and she was able to play the popular girl from the broken home, but she wasn’t magnificent. I thought that she could’ve shown a little bit more dimension, and a little bit less drama.

Willem Dafoe played a perfect villain. He was able to put on a façade beautifully. I can’t say too much without giving anything away, so I’ll just say this; he was exceptional as the role of Norman Osborn and the Green Goblin.

James Franco did a lackluster job as Harry Osborn. He was nothing special; in fact I might even consider his acting above average. He might have done a better job in a role more fitting to him like the one he had in Whatever It Takes as the popular, mean jock. Maybe I’m being a little harsh on him, but he has not gotten or deserved any acclaim from any critics. In the Spider-man sequel, he supposedly has an even bigger role and I really hope he takes acting classes first.

Cliff Robertson was really great in this movie. I had no idea who he was coming into this, but I know I will never forget him after I saw him in Spider-man. He played the uncle of Spider-man, and he was genuine, and a perfect pick for the part. His sincerity was unmatched anywhere else in the movie. Good job Cliff Robertson!

This movie will not disappoint you. The action scenes are unparalleled anywhere else in Hollywood, so you’re sure to get a few surprises. The acting is good for the most part, but just don’t expect too much out of James Franco. The movie made over 200 million in 2 weeks, so you have to at least know that something is really good about the movie. You can bring your whole family because this movie fits such a large demographic. Big or small, come to watch this movie and you’ll be enthralled.