Spider Man3

Spiderman had powers that are unrealistic for a human being, but unlike most comic heroes, he was a real person. Spiderman's alter ego Peter Parker had to deal with real-life issues such as money, taking care of his Aunt, his job, his friends, school, and of course women. This was not a person who had all the answers; he was a regular person who's fate selected him to possess extraordinary skills, and to use the task of bringing Spiderman and his alter ego fell to Toby Maguire who was Ramie’s choice from the start despite the studio wanting a more bankable lead such as Leonardo Di Caprio or Heath Ledger. With the star in place, the task of finding a leading lady, and a person to play the villain was a bit harder. John Malkovich was the lead choice to play the Green Goblin/Norman Osborn, but he passed on the role in order to devote more time to independent films. The role eventually went to Willem Dafoe who has had a solid career playing characters with a dark edge, such as his Oscar nominated role in "Shadows of the Vampire". With production about to start, Raimi went to Europe to audition Kirstin Dunst for the role of Mary Jane Watson. She was a natural in the role and the chemistry between her and Maguire was obvious. With the cast finally in place, the crew began filming in New York, only to have the tragic events of September 11th cast a pall on the film as the trailer and posters for the film had to be recalled due to the prominent placement of the World Trade Center Towers in them. With all of the turmoil behind them, the cast and crew signed on for a sequel before the first film had made its debut thus ensuring future screen adventures for the wall crawler. The film is faithful to the comics and tells of how a kind but nerdy Peter Parker (Maguire), is bitten by a radioactive spider during a school visit to a lab. At first it goes unnoticed by Peter, but he starts to display increased strength, agility, and the ability to climb walls. Wanting to exploit his new abilities, Peter becomes a professional wrestler and dressed in a homemade costume, he starts to make a name for himself in the ring. Once again fate steps in, and an action Peter does not take comes back to haunt him, and causes him to rethink the gift he has been given and the best way to use it.The fate in question is the radioactive spider bite that transforms peter into a strong and athletic individual who becomes intoxicated with his new abilities to the exclusion of his work and chores. He still has an eye for the lovely Mary Jane Watson, but is uneasy about approaching her due to his shyness. The mask he wears as Spiderman gives him the confidence to do and say the things that he has always wanted to as Peter, but was unable to do so.The film stays very close to the comic series that inspired it, as the origins of the characters and their relationships to one another, as well as outcomes are faithful to their natural origins. Peter finds himself battling all manner of criminals and soon is pitted against his deadliest foe, The Green Goblin. The Goblin is a very dynamic and interesting villain, as he is a good man, who becomes a modern day Jeckyl and Hyde due to an experiment gone wrong. The Goblin is bent on revenge for all those who oppose him or have wronged his alter ego. His goal is to gain Spiderman as an ally or to destroy him outright. What makes the Goblin so interesting is not his armor, air glider or weapons, it is the performance given by Da Foe. His portrayal of both Osborn and the Goblin is riveting. Da foe walks the fine line between madness and sanity, evilness and compassion without being campy, and invokes a sense of compassion about his character that is sadly lacking in most film villains. The performance of Da Foe is every bit as gripping as his Oscar nominated role in "Shadows of the Vampire", and might just be rewarded with a supporting actor nod. em for the good of others.