Ever since Stan Lee and Steve Ditko introduced Spider-Man in 1962, readers have been privy to the ups and downs in the life of the wise-cracking wallcrawler. In Amazing Fantasy #15 (the ill fated comic book’s final issue), Stan Lee presented us with Peter Parker, a bright high school student facing the all-too-familiar struggles of growing up, dealing with the school bully, getting a date, studying for exams, and even taking out the trash. Peter’s accidental bite from a radioactive spider (and his subsequent transformation into Spider-Man) notwithstanding, he still dealt with similar issues while living up to the responsibility of helping those in need of his special abilities. As Spider-Man, he faced super-powered villains out to do harm time and again; but as Peter Parker, he also faced the dilemma of earning enough money to pay rent for a run-down apartment. Peter works as a freelance photographer (showing readers that not all superheroes have glamorous millionaire-playboy alter-egos), and beating the bad guy doesn’t necessarily mean getting enough work done to come up with the rent on time.
Therein lies this spider's appeal; Stan Lee inadvertently scored a hit by providing ground-breaking characterizations that endeared Spider-Man (and his alter-ego, Peter Parker) to a new generation of comic book fans.
Enter 2007; almost half a century since the character’s creation, Spider-Man continues to delight fans both old and new, in the comic book and more recently, in the big screen. In the third installment of the highly successful movie franchise, Spider-Man is at the top of his game; loved by the denizens of New York, and finally together with Mary Jane, he’s making great strides in his studies at the university. Peter Parker has seemingly achieved balance in his otherwise extra-ordinary double-life.
Alas, there wouldn’t be much of a movie without adversity. The movie centers on the existence of a dark side in everyone. The appearance of an alien symbiote and the ensuing bond that it makes with Spider-Man gives us a glimpse of a Peter Parker uninhibited by his heroic morals. This presents Spider-Man with the question on how a true Hero will face the ramifications of his actions.
Several sub-plots (some derived from the first two films) are also tackled:
- His best friend Harry, who in the previous film attempted to destroy Spider-Man, now knows about Peter’s double life. Believing himself betrayed, Harry is now more determined than ever to exact his revenge on whom he believes to be his father’s killer. He will stop at nothing to obtain vengeance on Spider-Man… even to the point of recreating the process that transformed his father into the Green Goblin.
- Peter’s romantic life is now also put to the test. Mary Jane is having a hard time with her own career as an aspiring actress and Spider-Man’s recent popularity may have enabled Peter to overlook MJ’s growing need of a sympathetic partner. The introduction of Gwen Stacy as Peter’s classmate and lab partner can only generate even more friction in his already complicated relationship with Mary Jane.
- The introduction of two more villains spice up the spider-stew as the Sandman and Venom enter the fray. One may have a connection to the death of Peter’s Uncle Ben and the other harbors a hate for Peter Parker that only his destruction will satisfy. Only mayhem can ensue when these super-powered hooligans cross paths with the web-spinner.
The myriad plotlines may have ultimately been the movie’s only downside.
Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the film (fanboy that I am of course)! I just couldn’t shake the feeling that the story would have been much more enjoyable if the sub-plots weren’t forcibly incorporated. Characterization is one thing, but one important difference when you’re doing it in comic books is that you get to have several issues to delve into it properly. Unfortunately, you don’t have that kind of luxury when you compress it in a 2 ½ hour movie. The plot-shifts prevalent in the film take the viewer on a roller coaster ride; shifting from intense action scenes (love those aerial battles!) to Pete’s dealing with the numerous issues surrounding his personal life. The stories that were mashed together in this particular installment (in my opinion) were enough for 2 films!
In any case, were sure to have a part 4… and a part 5… and a part whatever. Judging by the Gazillions Spider-Man 3 is making (and will probably end-up making), the producers aren’t going to stop milking this particular cow anytime soon. The advent of Spidey’s more classic villains for future installments is the topic of every fanboy in town these days (The Lizard and Kraven the Hunter would be my personal votes). Let’s just hope that the producers learn from the lessons of having too much going on at once so that the next movie will be even better.
In closing, fanboys like me (criticizing the finer points of the story notwithstanding) still admit to Spider-Man 3 giving “normal folk” the much needed “escapism” that these movies are supposed to provide. So, till next time…. Here’s web in yer eye!
