Review of Spider-Man (2002) by Jordanlayton — 28 Apr 2020

This is simultaneously the most campy and most dark Spider-Man movie. Ifs actually funny how some transitions and performances are so clearly indicating camp while scenes that follow take themselves 1 00% seriously.

I think this movie works because of this formula. The campiness endears you to the characters such that when they are thrust into those perilous and/ or dramatic scenes, you do really care about them.

Thinking about it more, this is not a new concept. Sitcoms and dramedies had been doing it for decades. I think this may just be the first time we saw it in a big name superhero movie. (please Imk if I'm forgetting a prime example) My only real complaint (barring the dated CG) is MJ's character.

There's a lot implied about her and Peter's relationship but by the time her big "I love you" speech comes in at the end, I don't know if were had quite enough between the two of them to warrant that Peter's also an eensy but creepy (taking two buses and a cab to meet her outside her audition) but they're supposedly long term childhood friends so maybe not that bad? Again, some telling rather than showing going on there.

Brilliant casting, an age old formula, and a hilarious Dafoe performance. Never a dull moment in this film and I enjoyed myself to the point of annoying Lauren. My scale is an enjoyment scale. Don't @ me.