Plot
Young Peter Parker is pretty much a huge nerd. He has a huge crush on the popular Mary Jane, but can't do anything about it. Until, during a class trip, he's bitten by a gentically altered spider. He wakes up the next day and finds that his genes have been altered. He has perfect sight, he's really strong, he's got an acute sixth-sense, and he can shoot webs from his wrists. After a small confrontation with some bullies, he tries his new powers at a wrestling match. He is cheated out of his money, but the place is robbed as he leaves. He lets the thief go, but when he returns to meet his uncle, and only guardian, Ben, he finds that the thief killed the old man.
The rest of his life is shaped by this. He decides to wield his power responsibly. He becomes Spider-Man. He moves out of his home with his best friend, Harry. Harry's father is the owner of a multi-billion dollar company. This company is developing an armored suit, glider and performance-enhancing drugs for the military. When funding is cut, Norman uses the drugs on himself. They create a split personality, and the evil portion becomes the Green Goblin.
After a few encounters, Goblin decides he wants to turn Spider-Man to his cause. Spider-Man refuses, and a final showdown occurs. In the end, Norman and the Goblin are killed. Harry wants Spider-Man dead, but knows Peter is his best friend. Mary-Jane, who was dating Harry, is in love with Peter and Spider-Man. Peter shuts her down, knowing that if he becomes involved, she will be in danger.
My Thoughts
Bravo. This movie was the second actual mainstream comic book to make a splash as a serious movie this decade. And, well, it brought over $114 million in its first weekend alone. It was stylish, but not too over the top. It took the source material seriously, which is something that the new breed of comic book movies has done. From Blade and X-Men to Daredevil and Hulk, the source material must be taken seriously.
Raimi is a fan. He is one of those geek genre people that knows what the fans want to see. And he guided this movie with love and perserverence. It didn't feel like the Sam Raimi of old until the final battle. Then, his old sensibilities kicked in. It was the hyper-realistic ride that I had hoped for. I said it in my Evil Dead review, and I was glad to see his kinetic film style return. He hasn't lost his touch. I'm so psyched for the sequel. Doc Oc, possibly Norman's son Harry taking up the Green Goblin mantle.... oh, it gives me goosebumps.
