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Spider-Man
Review by Mike Furches (Mike's bio)
Directed by Sam Raimi
Writing credits (WGA) Stan Lee (comic book) David Koepp (screenplay)
Tobey Maguire .... Spider-Man/Peter Parker
Willem Dafoe .... Green Goblin/Norman Osborn
Kirsten Dunst .... Mary Jane Watson
James Franco .... Harry Osborn
J.K. Simmons .... J. Jonah Jameson
Michael Papajohn .... The Burglar
Randy Poffo .... Bone Saw McGraw
Joe Manganiello .... Eugene 'Flash' Thompson
Rosemary Harris .... Aunt May
Ted Raimi .... Hoffman
Cliff Robertson .... Uncle Ben Parker
Bill Nunn .... Joe 'Robbie' Robertson
Bruce Campbell .... Ring Announcer Stan Lee
Produced by
Avi Arad .... executive producer
Stan Lee .... executive producer
Ian Bryce .... producer
Laura Ziskin .... producer
Grant Curtis .... associate producer
Original music by Danny Elfman
Cinematography by Don Burgess
Film Editing by Arthur Coburn and Bob Murawski
Rated PG
For rating reasons, go to FILMRATINGS.COM and MPAA.ORG.
Parents, please refer to PARENTALGUIDE.ORG.
Holy Jahosephat Batman, Spider-Man has a new movie. A new movie indeed, in what could very well be the newest, biggest baddest and best superhero movie ever. What is surprising however, is that not only is this an incredibly fun filled movie, it is also full of Spiritual references and significance. It is quite possible that Spider-Man is the most Spiritual of all super heroes and this movie adaptation helps prove it. What is even clearer is that his Spirituality is rooted in Christianity.
Don't get me wrong, I'll readily admit that it is hard to be objective of this movie. I longed for its release after seeing the trailers more than a year ago. I even remember the original trailer that had Ol Spidey slinging a web to catch a helicopter between the World Trade Center. That ad was later pulled and no component of the Trade Centers is included in the official release. But am I opinionated? You bet, Spider-Man was and still is my favorite comic book and super hero and for a comic book collector that's a big deal. I was the first in the theater to grab a seat for the first showing on the first day of release. I even took my son with me which meant him missing a half a day of school. I also sit here writing this review in my favorite Spider-Man t-shirt. So, you can see that this 40 something plus man still has a longing for the days of his youth.
While the true die hard fan, like myself may have aspects of the movie that he is a little disappointed in, the over capacity crowd at the theater I was at wasn't applauding all through the movie for nothing. This is a movie that has substance, not only substance but a fun couple of hours that you won't soon forget. As the old saying goes, this film has legs, 8 to be exact, after all it is Spider-Man, but this movie also has much more. There is a captivating love story, a evil villain played magnificently by Willem Dafoe, but it is also a story of a young man finding himself and the need to discover his own spiritual truth and purpose.
While many movies hint at the spiritual search of its players, Spider-Man is wide open and clear about the search of Peter Parker. He has a girl he has loved since the 1st grade, but despite his love he holds true to his moral upbringing. He also has an Aunt and Uncle who not only love him but have had a tremendous impact on his upbringing and morality. This family makes a point to pray before meals and Aunt May has a nightly prayer, bedside, on her knees. We even see her attacked by a demonic enemy who taunts her as she prays the Lord's Prayer to deliver her from evil. The surprising thing is that it later becomes clear that the God she is praying too does just that.
Spider-Man's Uncle Ben also has tremendous spiritual impact in helping raise Peter Parker. He reminds him that people who are given great power need to remember to use it for good and in a way that will bring purpose and meaning to those around them in life. While not directly mentioned, one can't help but wonder if Uncle Ben, played wonderfully by Cliff Robertson, is warning Peter of the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus informed the disciples about. This concept is certainly one that is portrayed beautifully from the perspective that Christians who know Jesus and have the Holy Spirit should use the power appropriately to both serve their fellow man but also go about doing good deeds through their life example.
The web slinging, (appropriate spidey terminology since Spider-Man doesn't technically fly,) is incredible. This has to be some of the best special effects ever filmed. There are several sequences that you almost believe that someone is really slinging webs. This is especially true in the sequences where Spider-Man is learning to use his web slinging abilities. There is also a wonderful ensemble cast led surprisingly well by Tobey Maguire who portrays Spider-Man and Peter Parker. I didn't know if he would be able to pull this role off when first hearing of the casting decision but now I can't think of anyone who would have been better. Kirsten Dunst plays long time friend and love interest of Peter Parker, Mary Jane. Dunst brings the innocence and beauty to this role that is needed to help drive home the need for purpose concerning Peter Parker finding his ultimate purpose and meaning to life.
I remember as a boy thinking that if I could be any superhero I would want to be Spider-Man. I didn't know it at the time but part of the reason for that was the humanity behind the character. This was a character who struggled with real life problems but he was also someone who had to learn to adapt between his humanity and his potential. This movie in that regard is no surprise.
Some may have already been critical from the first comment regarding me taking my son from a half a day of school to see the movie. All I know was that it was wonderful to share the wonderful dreams of a father and a son and to have felt the same way about the movie. His comments after the movie were, 'Wow, Papa, that movie was great. It's even better than Shrek. I now have a new favorite movie, I want to make sure I buy it the first day it comes out on DVD.' While those may not have been his exact words it is pretty close to the words of a 12 year old boy. After having some barbecue ribs for lunch and doing an activity together at church I asked him how his day was and he replied, 'Well, after seeing Spider-Man on a scale of 1-10 I'd give it a 12. but after doing the other stuff at church (playing kickball and football to be exact), I'd give it an 11.' 'Nathan' I responded, 'this morning after seeing Spider-Man it was a 12, now it's a 11, what happened?', 'Well I had so much fun at the movies this morning that anything after that was going to be a let down.'
For my son and I this day was worth it. While I enjoy a lot of aspects of movies, including the spiritual components of a film like this I also like to sometimes see a movie just for the fun of it. When I can see valuable spiritual perspectives being portrayed plus still have fun at the movies it is a unexpected bonus. It is hard to improve on the expectations that someone like I had in regards to seeing a movie like Spider-Man. Most of the time there is disappointment and let down. This movie didn't follow that example however, if anything it improved on my respect of the character.
One last note. I know that there are going to be a lot of comparisons this summer between the new Star Wars Episode 2 movie and Spider-Man. While I can't promise a surprise, I will say I personally won't be surprised if in the long run Spider-Man out performs and outlasts Star Wars Episode 2. I do know that I haven't seen an audience react to a movie like this in a very, very long time. As a matter of fact, and this will be dating me, I don't recall the standing in lines nor the audience reaction regarding the applause that even compares since the original run of the first Walking Tall movie. For those old enough to remember, that is saying something.
For the 8 legs that will carry Spider-Man through the summer and beyond and the love of a father and son I'll give the unusual and rare 10 for as close to a perfect movie as there may be released all summer.
Copyright 2002, Mike Furches. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
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About Mike Furches: Mike is the senior pastor of United at the Cross Community Church in Wichita, Kansas. The church, located in the inner city of Wichita has a unique ministry to former gang members, drug addicts, prostitutes and others often neglected by the church. Mike also is involved in freelance writing and speaks nationally. Check out his web page for more information: http://www.furches.org/ E-mail Mike |
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