WEBBTIDE 2001-2002 @ SHORELINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Volume 37 No.15 May. 10 - May. 23, 2002 [ ARCHIVE ] [ FEEDBACK ] [ HELP ]
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Spider-Man: Slinging at a theater near you

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      With the hype and anticipation that Spider-Man received there was no way that this movie could be anything but spectacular; and let me tell you, it lives up to every bit of it. The amazing scenes with Spidey webbing his way through New York's skyline, alone were worth the price of a discounted matinee ticket. As well, the choice of Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, Darkman) for Director paid off, for this latest adaptation of a comic book to the big screen resembles nothing we've ever seen. This visually spectacular movie with a great screenplay will appeal to the Spidey fans as well as the general audience.
      The infamous web-slinger was first scheduled to make his big screen debut back around Christmas, but that date was later pushed forward so that the filmmakers could take out several scenes in which the, now in rubble, Twin Towers were present. Furthermore, legal issues over rights to the wall crawler had to be settled, there was a fear that Spidey might never make it onto the big screen at all. Six months later and with an opening weekend that grossed nearly $114 million (opening weekend record); it seems as if even the ever confident George Lucas might have something to worry about when his latest Star Wars epic is released next week.
      Spider-Man made his Marvel Comics debut more than forty years ago and has risen to cult status among children and comic book aficionados since. The movie starts out much like the comic did nearly four decades ago. While on a class field trip to a science laboratory, the nerdy yet studious teenager, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is bitten by a genetically altered "super spider" that gives him all of its spider powers.
      Peter, realizing what happened and not knowing exactly what to do about it decides to use his new-found strengths in the wrestling ring in order to earn the prize money granted for staying in the ring for three minutes with Bonesaw (Randy Macho Man Savage). Costume and all, the newly named Spider-Man survives the match but is not rewarded the prize money he was promised. Because of this Spidey watches as a crook steals the money and runs outside, only to learn later that that same crook shot and killed Peter's Uncle as he waited for Peter outside. After realizing he could have stopped his Uncles death he makes an ode to stop this kind of atrocity, Spider Man is born.
      Every hero needs a lady to protect and love and for Spider Man the girl is Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst), a high school friend and neighbor of Peters, she gets herself into enough trouble to have Spider-Man constantly saving her from predicaments. Every hero needs an arch-nemesis to battle, and for Spider-Man the Green Goblin, a.k.a. Norman Osborne (William Dafoe), more than fits the part. Father of Peters best friend, Osborne is a scientist that makes himself the test subject in an experiment that goes terribly wrong. He is transformed into this Jekyll and Hyde persona where his bad side is the menacing Green Goblin.
      My only complaint with the film is that the comic book clich?s run rampant throughout the film, and although they aren't as bad as in some films, they would be better left out altogether. The Bright spot for the movie is in the screenplay by David Koepp (adapted from an extended treatment by James Cameron). The character's receive a fairly in depth development which is unique in a film like this. As well, the action and drama are balanced enough that you don't notice an excess of either. The surprise casting of Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man also turned out to be a plus for the film, I can't explain it other than by saying, he grows on you by the end of the movie. William Dafoe was also a great choice to play the Green Goblin; he's creepy even without the costume.
      Spider-Man really surprised me. I thought it would follow suit with the rest of the recent comic book movies and go for the action. And, although the action scenes were amazing, a pretty good story went right along with them. We finally have a super hero that fights during the day, the day scenes of Spidey, webbing his way around the New York were stunning. With the charisma of Maguire as Spidey, and the creepiness of Dafoe as the Goblin, you're assured a good movie-going experience. And more good news, Maguire has signed on to make two more of these Spidey flicks, so your guess is as good as mine about who will be the villain in the next.

.

by Brian Kerin

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wEbbtide Webmaster: Henry Lai

Spider-Man: Slinging at a theater near you
.	With the hype and anticipation that Spider-Man received there was no way that this movie could be anything but spectacular; and let me tell you, it lives up to every bit of it. The amazing scenes with Spidey webbing his way through New York's skyline, alone were worth the price of a discounted matinee ticket. As well, the choice of Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, Darkman) for Director paid off, for this latest adaptation of a comic book to the big screen resembles nothing we've ever seen. This visually spectacular movie with a great screenplay will appeal to the Spidey fans as well as the general audience. The infamous web-slinger was first scheduled to make his big screen debut back around Christmas, but that date was later pushed forward so that the filmmakers could take out several scenes in which the, now in rubble, Twin Towers were present. Furthermore, legal issues over rights to the wall crawler had to be settled, there was a fear that Spidey might never make it onto the big screen at all. Six months later and with an opening weekend that grossed nearly $114 million (opening weekend record); it seems as if even the ever confident George Lucas might have something to worry about when his latest Star Wars epic is released next week. Spider-Man made his Marvel Comics debut more than forty years ago and has risen to cult status among children and comic book aficionados since. The movie starts out much like the comic did nearly four decades ago. While on a class field trip to a science laboratory, the nerdy yet studious teenager, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is bitten by a genetically altered "super spider" that gives him all of its spider powers. Peter, realizing what happened and not knowing exactly what to do about it decides to use his new-found strengths in the wrestling ring in order to earn the prize money granted for staying in the ring for three minutes with Bonesaw (Randy Macho Man Savage). Costume and all, the newly named Spider-Man survives the match but is not rewarded the prize money he was promised. Because of this Spidey watches as a crook steals the money and runs outside, only to learn later that that same crook shot and killed Peter's Uncle as he waited for Peter outside. After realizing he could have stopped his Uncles death he makes an ode to stop this kind of atrocity, Spider Man is born. Every hero needs a lady to protect and love and for Spider Man the girl is Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst), a high school friend and neighbor of Peters, she gets herself into enough trouble to have Spider-Man constantly saving her from predicaments. Every hero needs an arch-nemesis to battle, and for Spider-Man the Green Goblin, a.k.a. Norman Osborne (William Dafoe), more than fits the part. Father of Peters best friend, Osborne is a scientist that makes himself the test subject in an experiment that goes terribly wrong. He is transformed into this Jekyll and Hyde persona where his bad side is the menacing Green Goblin. My only complaint with the film is that the comic book clich?s run rampant throughout the film, and although they aren't as bad as in some films, they would be better left out altogether. The Bright spot for the movie is in the screenplay by David Koepp (adapted from an extended treatment by James Cameron). The character's receive a fairly in depth development which is unique in a film like this. As well, the action and drama are balanced enough that you don't notice an excess of either. The surprise casting of Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man also turned out to be a plus for the film, I can't explain it other than by saying, he grows on you by the end of the movie. William Dafoe was also a great choice to play the Green Goblin; he's creepy even without the costume. Spider-Man really surprised me. I thought it would follow suit with the rest of the recent comic book movies and go for the action. And, although the action scenes were amazing, a pretty good story went right along with them. We finally have a super hero that fights during the day, the day scenes of Spidey, webbing his way around the New York were stunning. With the charisma of Maguire as Spidey, and the creepiness of Dafoe as the Goblin, you're assured a good movie-going experience. And more good news, Maguire has signed on to make two more of these Spidey flicks, so your guess is as good as mine about who will be the villain in the next.	.
by Brian Kerin