On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of “Spider-Man”, take a look at this monument to the superhero movie, which was signed by Sam Rhyme in 2002.
A delicious shudder on his back as the first notes of the introductory canvases resonate, swarms of swans as Peter Parker begins to climb the walls, a non-stop smile on the corner of his lip as he teaches Flash Thompson in the high school halls, an adrenaline rush in the street Uncle’s killer …
Even 20 years from now, if Sam Rhyme first discovered the spider through the eyes of a child or teenager when it hit theaters in 2002, you will not forget the avalanche of feelings and emotions that fell on you before that. The film is like any other.
The real event when it hit the movies, this first feature film dedicated to Spider-Man, is an unforgettable memory for many viewers. And there are so many who are moving the monument to the essence of the genre, after two decades, some even going so far as to speak of the greatest superhero film ever made.
But how do we explain this almost unanimity around Sam Rhyme’s film? What is more than anything else? What are the secret ingredients that made it so successful as soon as it hit the box office? And conquered the hearts of every fan, with virtually no reserve?
On the occasion of Spider-Man’s 20th anniversary, take a look at this rough diamond that has fascinated dark rooms, spectators and the movie industry …
Simple, effective and universal history
Peter Parker is an ordinary young high school student who has to chase the bus every morning to get there on time, often abused by bullies in his class, and who has always dreamed of going out with a neighbor, the beautiful Maria. – Jane Watson. The day he is bitten by a genetically modified spider, his body suddenly begins to change and he suddenly finds himself endowed with Herculean forces as well as incredible forces.
What if it was its simplicity that made Spider-Man such an effective film? Born in Stan Lee’s imagination and magnified by staging a Sam Reim Particularly inspiring, Peter Parker’s story is, after all, very classic. Sober, basic, sophisticated, almost elementary, compared to recent blockbuster scenarios.
There is no multiplayer universe, parallel dimensions, or intergalactic travel. The entire film takes place in New York, between Queens and Times Square.
There is no mad titan trying to destroy half the universe, no artificial intelligence running from the depths of the cosmos to conquer the universe or the Scandinavian god. Only a student in love with a girl. A hero on a human scale. A teenager who leads a normal life who thinks like a teenager has teenage problems and teenage dreams.
It’s hard not to worry when sitting in a room with a Peter Parker-like lifestyle. It’s hard not to recognize this familiar character, especially because of the humanity that Toby Maguire, who is in very good shape, breathes. Therefore, it is hard not to feel transported at once when later in the film, the supernatural suddenly collides with his daily life.
However, even in its spectacular dimension, when viewed metaphorically, the adventures of Peter Parker remain completely universal and simply lead to puberty, the transition to adulthood.
The physical and emotional changes that the character undergoes, his bodily revolts, his new “great powers” that are followed by “great responsibilities” are, therefore, a reality that is easily defended by every young viewer.
More impressive action scenes
As soon as we are emotionally disturbed by the character, the efficiency, and the sincerity of the unspoken script, we will surely be in a perfect position to follow Peter Parker on each of his adventures.
This is where one of the main strengths of the film comes into play: the virtuoso staging of a Sam Reim At the top of its shape. Dizzy and ethereal, when a human spider spins from canvas to canvas on the streets of New York, the production is also very organic, especially during scenes of action or tension.
Physical, epidermal, almost visceral, it consists of simple shots (no words are targeted by the filmmaker compared to another film), concrete, without mastery and decoration, sharper and sharper, therefore definitely more impactful.
While we are talking about slow movements in the sections where Peter uses his “spider sense”, especially successful scenes when he paints a costume, if the combat choreographies in front of the green goblin are read completely fluently and perfectly, the efficiency is consistently high. date.
Spiderman Thus, from beginning to end is a visual spectacle and a real sensory experience that allows us to share (as across the audience) the thrill of Peter Parker, who can climb walls, fly between buildings, or fly from the top. Tower.
Music by Danny Elfman
It is impossible to list the strengths of Spider-Man without one of the most fundamental ones (and even many): Danny Elfman’s masterpiece at its best.
Accustomed to composing all the soundtracks to Sam Rhyme’s films, the maestro writes an absolutely unforgettable main theme from the beginning that no superhero film has agreed on since (except Hans Zimmer with The Dark Knight or Alan Sylvester Avengers).
Gradually woven – like a spider web – with numerous violin archers, drums, and then choirs, Elfman’s music perfectly embodies the subject matter of the film. Tangled with adrenaline, emotions, heroism, and a sense of urgency, it’s nothing but a dizzying rise to power, like climbing a newly built skyscraper.
So from the first seconds of the credits, before Sam Reim started telling the story of Peter Parker, thanks to the huge Danny Elfman populated score, the journey has already begun.
Date in the history of cinema
When it was released in June 2002, due to the many benefits we mentioned and the colossal expectations of the fans around the film, Spiderman Collects $ 821 million in receipts worldwide and is therefore significant as the 7th largest success of all time (at the time).
It must be said that the area explored by Sam Raim at the beginning of the 21st century is still almost intact. At a time when most superheroes still live on comic book boards and where very few of them have come out on the big screen, everything has to be done. The foundations of a new genre have not yet been built.
A society that wonders whether coexistence between comics and dark rooms will be a good sign is looking forward to a film that manages to create an event. And what better way to get a spider web adventure?
Accessing the Dark Rooms, Spider-Man swaps cards and literally breaks the box office record for the superhero movie still held by Tim Burton’s first Batman and his $ 411 million (followed by Richard Donner’s Superman and his $ 300 million).
Exactly in the middle of a landscape that was previously almost exclusively occupied by DC Comics adaptations and after a few timid attempts on the Marvel side (Blade in 1998 or X-Men in 2000), Man-Spider. Breaks the table and claims that the Maison des Idées also has something on its feet.
Champion in his category for the next 6 years (before he was finally knocked down Dark Knight In 2008), Spider-Man is undoubtedly marking a turning point in the Hollywood industry and is undoubtedly involved in the launch of the superhero movie Golden Fever.
Two decades later the world has changed. More than 20 superhero films have already surpassed Spider-Man in 2002. Comic book characters are now permanent residents of movie theaters. And Peter Parker now plays three different faces in the same feature film.
And yet … every time we hear the resonance of the Marvel logo theme in the cinema, how can we forget that it was the first time in the company of Toby Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, William Defoe, Danny Elfman and Sam Rhyme?
(Re) Discover our video dedicated to Spider-Man …
Source: allocine
Emily Jhon is a product and service reviewer at Gossipify, known for her honest evaluations and thorough analysis. With a background in marketing and consumer research, she offers valuable insights to readers. She has been writing for Gossipify for several years and has a degree in Marketing and Consumer Research from the University of Oxford.
