Spider-Man

On an pure entertainment level, "Spiderman" is a first-rate film that's sure to please, but if you are going into this for anything deeper save your money.


There's no real story to speak of. Just scene to scene action and special effects. Maybe this is the way the director intended, because this movie just sets the stage for "Spiderman2: The Attack of the Clones. Whoops, another sequel.


This movie doesn't have the depth of say the original "Superman" movie, nor does it provide the campiness of the "Batman" series. It relies totally on special effects to support it. Granted those effects are great.

The movie is true to the comic book in many ways. We see Peter as sort of loner raised by his Aunt after losing his Uncle. The antagonism and scorn of the public fueled by a fiesty newspaper editor challenges our emotions as to whether Spidey deserves our trust. His secret crush on a red-headed girlfriend that almost never happens. All this warmed me up to the movie, but unfortunately, it's seem that most of the movie's run time was alloted to setting the stage rather than telling the story. Again, I'll use the superior "Superman" movie as an example. "Superman" was a longer movie and understood that the extra reel time was necessary to familiarize the viewer to who Superman was and to tell a decent story. All the characters in "Superman" fit their roles and in some cases exceeded them(Gene Hackman role.)


There was some humor thrown in to make up for weak plot lines. Kirsten Dunst was a knockout in her cute outfits. I appreciate how good looking she is for the first time in this movie. Especially, the scene where she is chased by would-be asaulters and it convienently rains soaking her top. The other characters were putting thier time in or didn't have enough screen time to make a presence.


One thing that confused me was why did they cast Willem Dafoe as The Green Goblin? He is so much more talented than to play a comic book villian. He was very much miscast.


Appended note/ More on Dafoe

Perhaps, Dafoe need wanted to expand his range and break out of his usual dramatic portrayals. The sets were definately provided him with a new environment(not traditional) to ply his trade.

I should mention that I still think Dafoe was great in "Spiderman", I just didn't think it provided a fair use of his vast talent. His expressive face and mannerisms were hidden by the bulky green suit and mask. I found myself trying to peer beyond the mask to make sure that really was Dafoe in there.

But fortunately, his trademarked voice and cackle made up for that The part where he had to play both Osborn and Green Goblin showed us a tidbit of his incredible range and talent. If this is your first introduction to Dafoe, make sure you check out some of his earlier work. Martin Scorsase's, "The Last Temptation of Christ," is very good. In dramatic roles, he can be very edgy and intense.
I did like Peter's Uncle(Cliff Robertson.) I didn't believe the portrayal of the Aunt in parts. She acted utterly ridiculous when the Green Goblin attacked the sanctity of her home. I expected her to act stronger.


The special effects for the most part were decent. I didn't like the web stuff itself. It looked like silly string coming out of his wrist. I did like the way Spidey swung from building to building once he got the gist. The Green Goblin was absurd riding something that resembled a souped-up skateboard.


Both Spidey's and GG's costumes needed more attention to detail. They were sort of cheesy replicas that were incongruous against superior sets and production values. The drawing that Peter drew of his design would've looked great if followed through. But, I understand there are certain logistics that prevent authentic comic book heros.


The movie ended anti-climatic. I don't know what I expected , but certainly not an open-ended plot that leaves so much obvious room for Spidey 2. Go see this one just for the action and fun, but don't expect too many thrills.


See you at the movies, Solo.