Spidey.
I've enjoyed the first two Spiderman movies. Granted, I'm a superhero fan anyway so I was already primed to like them, but this most recent series didn't disappoint. Even though Superman will always be my favorite, I think what I appreciate about Spiderman in particular is that he is so young and so beat down by bad luck and failure in his 'real' life, while at the same time trying to do this great thing, trying to prove that one person can change the world.
Clark Kent <in my favorite incarnation, the Lois & Clark TV series> was a nerd to begin with, but he achieved success in his real life. He also never seemed to struggle too much with inner demons. Bruce Wayne struggles all the time with his demons, but he's got a bazillion dollar fortune to ease the pain. What does Peter Parker have? A hideous apartment and a broken down scooter.
I just pulled back into the W/M parking lot after taking in a matinee screening of Spiderman 3 at the Marshall Cinemas and I'm pondering. I don't think it's any big give away to those who haven't seen the movie if I say that Peter struggles with something that looks a heck of a lot like demonic temptation in this episode. He dips his fingertips in the well of revenge when he finds out his uncle's killer has escaped from prison. But just a dip isn't enough and soon the demonic influence, played well by the black goo from outerspace, slowly overtakes him.
There's a truly inspired scene when he realizes what he's become and tries to remove the black Spidey suit <which was created by the black goo>. He strains and tugs, but the suit won't give way. Every time he gets a bit ripped off the goo grabs hold in another area. Finally, with herculean effort, he frees himself from the suit and is once again the Peter we know.
The tagline on the movie poster says something like "the battle is within." I found this movie a wonderful representation of how story and metaphor can leave breadcrumb trails. Maybe you don't like superhero stories -- no worries -- but for someone who lives and breathes this stuff the truth about temptation and sin is staring him in the face. Black goo from outerspace becomes a priceless illustration of our enemy prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
I just pulled back into the W/M parking lot after taking in a matinee screening of Spiderman 3 at the Marshall Cinemas and I'm pondering. I don't think it's any big give away to those who haven't seen the movie if I say that Peter struggles with something that looks a heck of a lot like demonic temptation in this episode. He dips his fingertips in the well of revenge when he finds out his uncle's killer has escaped from prison. But just a dip isn't enough and soon the demonic influence, played well by the black goo from outerspace, slowly overtakes him.
There's a truly inspired scene when he realizes what he's become and tries to remove the black Spidey suit <which was created by the black goo>. He strains and tugs, but the suit won't give way. Every time he gets a bit ripped off the goo grabs hold in another area. Finally, with herculean effort, he frees himself from the suit and is once again the Peter we know.
The tagline on the movie poster says something like "the battle is within." I found this movie a wonderful representation of how story and metaphor can leave breadcrumb trails. Maybe you don't like superhero stories -- no worries -- but for someone who lives and breathes this stuff the truth about temptation and sin is staring him in the face. Black goo from outerspace becomes a priceless illustration of our enemy prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Comments
Great review and thoughts, Jodi. I really enjoyed the movie too. I particularly like that he battled that "demon" in the church bell tower.
Posted by: Hal | May 9, 2007 07:32 AM