This is one of three featurettes on the Special Edition DVD of Spider-Man 2, dealing with the film. It consists of interviews, comic panels and clips from both movies. This goes into the character's conflict between his life and the obligations that his crime-fighting alter-ego bring about, what he has to give up to continue to don the costume, and his freedom of choice, can he truly stop being a hero. The people interviewed all have something to say, and this is interesting and fairly informative for not being more than fifteen minutes, or about fourteen sans credits. Also, the pacing isn't bad at all. This is well-edited, and doesn't overstay its welcome. There is genuine insight into Peter Parker and Spider-Man, the motivation that drives him. Lee is always awesome to hear talk about his work, proud without being arrogant, and casual, the type you can imagine being a cool friend or family member. There is no objectionable material in this. If you want to know more about what thoughts went into this part of the second flick, this is for you. I recommend it to anyone who belongs in that group. 7/10
2 Reviews
Spider-Man no more
Chip_douglas5 June 2009
Warning: Spoilers
People who look at this documentary from a cynical point of view might say it was only made to emphasize once again how page 8 of The Amazing Spider-Man # 50 (Peter Parker walking away after dumping his Spider-suit in a garbage can) was recreated at the half way mark of Spider-Man 2. But of course we shouldn't be cynical. I mean come on, as if including a DVD booklet sized reprint of said issue in the collector's DVD gift set wasn't enough.
Most of the featuretes on disc 2 of the aforementioned gift set are set up in the same way: first Stan Lee & Johnny Romita Sr talk about creating the original comic book stories, then they are joined by more recent comic book writers. Next the movie's producers explain how they adapted the Marvel tales for the big screen and finally the actors who got to portray the formerly four colored characters get to have their say.
Stan the Man never could get enough of piling up pesky problems in poor Peter Parker's pad (by putting pen to paper) and kid of the Sixties Sam Raimi sure went all out in putting this element across on film. There is hardly a scene in Spidey 2 in which Peter isn't portrayed as the biggest loser who ever lived. This documentary explains how balancing his life as the friendly neighborhood web-crawler with two jobs and school isn't working out for Peter. Also, having given up Mary Jane at the end of part 1 like a knight of old is grating at him and of course there's always the fact that he still feels responsible for his dear old Uncle Ben's death.
It is noted how the love story between Pete and MJ remains one of the most important threads to drive this Spider-series. So much so that Doc Ock was given a loving and devoted wife called Rosalie just to make Peter aspire to be like his mentor even more (at the start of the picture at least). Also touched upon is Parker's deteriorating friendship with Harry Osborn and the fact that Osborn is leaning towards becoming the second Green Goblin in the next sequel. The interviewees become a little bit heavy-handed by the end, with Joe Quesada proclaiming that 'secrets are destructive to the human soul' and Kiki Dunst saying that 'Peter lives in a little-boy's world'. Almost enough to make this mild mannered reviewer reevaluate his life. Maybe I should quit hanging round the web and get out more? Impossible. There are still too many updates to do. They are my curse and destiny, after all.
7 out of 10
Most of the featuretes on disc 2 of the aforementioned gift set are set up in the same way: first Stan Lee & Johnny Romita Sr talk about creating the original comic book stories, then they are joined by more recent comic book writers. Next the movie's producers explain how they adapted the Marvel tales for the big screen and finally the actors who got to portray the formerly four colored characters get to have their say.
Stan the Man never could get enough of piling up pesky problems in poor Peter Parker's pad (by putting pen to paper) and kid of the Sixties Sam Raimi sure went all out in putting this element across on film. There is hardly a scene in Spidey 2 in which Peter isn't portrayed as the biggest loser who ever lived. This documentary explains how balancing his life as the friendly neighborhood web-crawler with two jobs and school isn't working out for Peter. Also, having given up Mary Jane at the end of part 1 like a knight of old is grating at him and of course there's always the fact that he still feels responsible for his dear old Uncle Ben's death.
It is noted how the love story between Pete and MJ remains one of the most important threads to drive this Spider-series. So much so that Doc Ock was given a loving and devoted wife called Rosalie just to make Peter aspire to be like his mentor even more (at the start of the picture at least). Also touched upon is Parker's deteriorating friendship with Harry Osborn and the fact that Osborn is leaning towards becoming the second Green Goblin in the next sequel. The interviewees become a little bit heavy-handed by the end, with Joe Quesada proclaiming that 'secrets are destructive to the human soul' and Kiki Dunst saying that 'Peter lives in a little-boy's world'. Almost enough to make this mild mannered reviewer reevaluate his life. Maybe I should quit hanging round the web and get out more? Impossible. There are still too many updates to do. They are my curse and destiny, after all.
7 out of 10
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