Action & Adventure Pick: Spider-Man (2002)
With The Amazing Spider-Man 2 now in theatres (and kicking up quite the debate between fans and critics) what better way to pay tribute to the friendly neighborhood web-slinger than by re-watching the film that started it all: Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man.
Along with Bryan Singer’s X-Men, Spider-Man helped kick off the superhero genre and ushered in a new age of big screen comic book adaptations. It’s hard to believe that the film came out twelve years ago, but it still holds up to this day (and gives you ample reason to check out its spectacular sequel, Spider-Man 2).
The film, of course, stars Tobey Maguire in the title role, playing a much geekier and more bumbling Peter Parker than we’ve seen with Andrew Garfield. Co-starring are Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson and James Franco as Harry Osborn. Also on board is Willem Dafoe playing Norman Osborn, AKA Green Goblin. While his ridiculous costume leaves something to be desired, his over-the-top and fun performance easily makes up for it. The actor steals every scene he’s in and is far better than any villain that Marc Webb has brought to the new franchise.
Also, how can we forget one of the best casting choices in comic book film history: J.K. Simmons as cigar-chewing, Spider-Man hating, Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson. His performance is reason enough to give this one a re-watch.
As campy as some of the film’s elements may be, especially when compared to today’s more grounded approach to superheroes, Spider-Man wears its heart on its spandex sleeve and is really, a ton of fun.
Sure, the action sequences may not be as big or engaging as they are in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but what Raimi accomplished back in 2002 is nothing short of impressive. Spider-Man is a film that will stand the test of time. If not for the things it was able to do for the genre, then for how much of a wildly fun and memorable ride it is, even more than a decade after its release.
