The Amazing Spider-Man

The Spider-Man films are one of the most success film franchises in film history with a gross of $2,496,346,518 worldwide; that this is the case is only appropriate. Spider-Man as a character broke all the rules of a comic book character. He was a teen. Teens couldn't be the lead character they could only be sidekicks. He had problems (i.e. he was a nerd so he was bullied and didn't have a girlfriend). He lived with his aunt and uncle. Plus he got his powers from a spider (albeit a radioactive one). People didn't like spiders. For these reasons Stan Lee the editor and main writer of Marvel comics was told he couldn't make a Spider-Man comic. But so strong was the lure of this character that in order to get it out of his system Lee decided that Spider-Man would make an appearance in the last issue of Amazing Fantasy which would be issue #15. The issue came out in Aug 1962 and when the sales figures came back it was discovered that this issue was one best selling in company history. Spider-Man quickly got his own series and he became Marvel's flagship character. While the character had problems in the comic pages it also enjoyed problems when attempts where made to bring it to live action life. There was a failed 70's tv series. Numerous attempts to make a movie were thwarted because the property rights kept going to different studios. Because of this a golden opportunity was missed when James Cameron the Oscar winning editor,writer,producer, director of Titanic planned on making Spider-Man his follow-up film to Titanic but was unable to do so. Eventually Sony made a deal to the property rights. They assigned veteran producer Laura Ziskin (Pretty Woman and As Good as It Gets) to oversee the project. Then two unconventionally choices were made for director (Sam Raimi) and leading man (Toby McGuire). They were unconventionally choices because while they had directed and appeared in A-List movies neither had directed or starred in a hit. The first film while solidly made doesn't feel like it firing on all cylinders. The director while talented didn't know how to stage action scenes to their zenith. Plus as good as McGuire (Peter Parker/Spider-man) and Kirsten Dunst (Mary Jane Watson) are; enjoying a very believable chemistry, it doesn't seem like they have their characters entirely locked in. Contrast with James Franco (Harry Osborn) and Williem Dafoe (Norman Osborn/Green Goblin) who do have their characters locked in. The film also suffers because when Dafoe is in his Goblin costume the mouth piece on the mask doesn't move. Plus while he is good he does go slightly over the top when in Goblin mode. Despite these problems the action sequences are good enough especially the one at the end when the Goblin dies which comes directly out of the comic book. The concluding scene when Peter must rebuff Mary Jane after she expresses her love for him is quite strong. The film was hit with both public (first film to gross over $100 million dollars in one weekend-$114,844,116 & 403,706,375) and critics (90% of critics gave it a favorable review according to Rotten Tomatoes, which is an on-line movie review database). Spider-Man 2 is a high performance machine operating at maximum peak efficiency. Everything in this film works. Both McGuire and Dunst had their characters locked in. Raimi directed this film with surgical precision. But the biggest reason for the improvement is because of the villian Doc Ock played by Alfred Molina. As played by Molina Doc Ock is touching, tragic, and villainous. The film makers made the wise decision to spend more time on Doc Ock before he became the villian which benefits the character, the film, and viewer. We see him with his lovely wife played wonderfully by Donna Murphy. The love they show for each other prior to her death is very believable and palpable. That it was the result of the Doctor's experiment is more tragic. While Doc Ock does villainous things they are done to fund his experiment. When he dies to save Peter and other people its very touching. If they decide to bring him back I for one would be in favor. The final scene where Mary Jane jilts her fiancee at the alter then declares her love for Peter and he accepts if that doesn't touch you than your made of stone. It was too was a hit with both fans and critics ($373.5 million and 93% according to Rotten Tomatoes.) Two minor problems are not enough of James Franco and the actor that plays Mary Jane's fiancee isn't convincing as a rival. Unfortunately Spider-Man 3 ends this winning creative streak. While the series regulars are all strong its the new cast additions with the exception of one that are bad. Its the classic case of too many ingredients spoiling the broth. James Cromwell, a very good actor, is wasted in cameo. Bryce Dallas Howard who makes charming use of her scenes is badly used so as result is negated. She could really have made a convincing rival for Mary Jane but this isn't allowed and I doubt she will be back for the planned Spider-Man 4. This is a shame because with better use she would make a good addition to the cast. Topher Grace's character only seems to exist for the sole purpose of being spun-off into his own movie which is planned. At no time does he make an impact on the movie or is he convincing as a villian. However Thomas Haden Church as the Sandman makes a very convincing villian. He also brings some of the humility to his role that Alfred Molina brought to Doc Ock. Changing the story to make him the man who killed Peter's Uncle Ben is unnecessary. It reopens a wound which had been closed in the first film. While the film was hit having the biggest opening weekend ($117 million) it was the lowest grossing of the series ($336) and did the worst with the critics (62% according to Rotten Tomatoes). When the new Spider-Man film comes out lets hopes it learns from the previous one. Here are some suggestions 1)Limit the amount of new characters, 2)Focus on the new villain's previllian life, 3)Don't let him go over the top, 4)Give Mary Jane Watson something to do other than be a perennial victim. Oh one other suggestion use either the Vulture or the Lizard as the villain.