bnorthup
05-07-2002, 11:54 AM
Spider-Man (PG-13)
At the Circus
Dad: 3.5 stars
Daughter: 3 stars
A Spider-Man with a gentle bite
By Brent and Katherine Northup
“Spider-Man” understands what other tales tend to forget: that fantasies have always been a source of inspiration for vulnerable, insecure kids. Fantasy tales of superheroes are a time-tested way to pretend to be strong and to conquer the world without ever leaving our hiding place under the stairs where our comic books are stored.
Not since the original “Star Wars” and “E.T.” have I been as charmed by a sci-fi film. Instead of appealing to macho males who like to drive fast and blow things up, “Spider-Man” takes a less noisy road, weaving a story about a nerdy loner who longs to kiss the popular girl next door. Even when our hero (Tobey Maguire) is bitten by a spider and changes from geek to superhero, he still can’t win the heart of the girl (Kirsten Dunst).
“Spider-Man” is a tale woven not by wizardly webs, but by heartstrings. Its special effects are actually a bit “retro” by “Matrix” standards – lasers are replaced by sticky spider webs that make our hero's hands gooey.
The fact that this film made more than $114 million in its opening non-holiday weekend is mind-boggling. One writer speculated that its success lies in its balanced gender appeal – it’s equally attractive to both men (who like the action and really like seeing Dunst in a wet T-shirt) and women (who are drawn to the romance and who think Maquire is sweet.)
Our family was unanimous. Dad spent the two hours not quite believing he was enjoying it so much, while daughter was soaking in the story.
Since it’s more likely that daughter’s view will intersect with the intended audience than mine will, let’s give Kat the quill pen.
“I really enjoyed the movie because it included action, romance, and unlike many other action movies, a complicated plot,” she began. “It’s not the typical kill-everyone-who-does-wrong movie.
“There would appear to be a constant war going on in the hero’s head. Spider-Man (otherwise known as Peter Parker) had a complicated role. Parker had to play innocent to his best friend, Harry Osborn (James Franco) while saving the town, getting the girl of his dreams (who is dating Harry) and killing Harry’s father who is the arch villain.
“Peter Parker is the classic underdog. He’s the embodiment of the typical high-school geek who’s in love with the most beautiful girl in school.
“It’s really cool that ‘Spider-Man’ had many realistic qualities that other super hero movies don’t. I almost cried when Parker’s uncle died. All the complications between Harry and Parker really seemed real because in actual life, situations do get complicated.
“There’s also a classical edge to the story. Spider-Man was the weakling. As in many of the past hero movies, the hero overcame great odds to gain the respect of others.
“ ‘Spider-Man’ was a really cool movie regardless of all the special effects. The character stayed a hero, and yet maintained the charisma of a teen-ager.”
Family harmony. We both loved “Spider-Man.”
END
At the Circus
Dad: 3.5 stars
Daughter: 3 stars
A Spider-Man with a gentle bite
By Brent and Katherine Northup
“Spider-Man” understands what other tales tend to forget: that fantasies have always been a source of inspiration for vulnerable, insecure kids. Fantasy tales of superheroes are a time-tested way to pretend to be strong and to conquer the world without ever leaving our hiding place under the stairs where our comic books are stored.
Not since the original “Star Wars” and “E.T.” have I been as charmed by a sci-fi film. Instead of appealing to macho males who like to drive fast and blow things up, “Spider-Man” takes a less noisy road, weaving a story about a nerdy loner who longs to kiss the popular girl next door. Even when our hero (Tobey Maguire) is bitten by a spider and changes from geek to superhero, he still can’t win the heart of the girl (Kirsten Dunst).
“Spider-Man” is a tale woven not by wizardly webs, but by heartstrings. Its special effects are actually a bit “retro” by “Matrix” standards – lasers are replaced by sticky spider webs that make our hero's hands gooey.
The fact that this film made more than $114 million in its opening non-holiday weekend is mind-boggling. One writer speculated that its success lies in its balanced gender appeal – it’s equally attractive to both men (who like the action and really like seeing Dunst in a wet T-shirt) and women (who are drawn to the romance and who think Maquire is sweet.)
Our family was unanimous. Dad spent the two hours not quite believing he was enjoying it so much, while daughter was soaking in the story.
Since it’s more likely that daughter’s view will intersect with the intended audience than mine will, let’s give Kat the quill pen.
“I really enjoyed the movie because it included action, romance, and unlike many other action movies, a complicated plot,” she began. “It’s not the typical kill-everyone-who-does-wrong movie.
“There would appear to be a constant war going on in the hero’s head. Spider-Man (otherwise known as Peter Parker) had a complicated role. Parker had to play innocent to his best friend, Harry Osborn (James Franco) while saving the town, getting the girl of his dreams (who is dating Harry) and killing Harry’s father who is the arch villain.
“Peter Parker is the classic underdog. He’s the embodiment of the typical high-school geek who’s in love with the most beautiful girl in school.
“It’s really cool that ‘Spider-Man’ had many realistic qualities that other super hero movies don’t. I almost cried when Parker’s uncle died. All the complications between Harry and Parker really seemed real because in actual life, situations do get complicated.
“There’s also a classical edge to the story. Spider-Man was the weakling. As in many of the past hero movies, the hero overcame great odds to gain the respect of others.
“ ‘Spider-Man’ was a really cool movie regardless of all the special effects. The character stayed a hero, and yet maintained the charisma of a teen-ager.”
Family harmony. We both loved “Spider-Man.”
END