Rantquake: The Amazing Spider-Man Film!

Sleeve Coat:  This time, instead of Sam Raimi, it’s Marc Webb in the director’s chair. And if you’re wondering who in blue blazes Marc Webb is, you’re not alone. I hadn’t even heard of Marc until just this week, and that’s only because I fancied doing a spot of research. I won’t say that Marc’s a “nobody”. We won’t go there. But I will say that Marc’s an inexperienced “anybody”, trying to grab that brass ring, on a merry-go-round that’s been designed for the “somebody” crowd. Also this time, instead of Tobey Maguire, it’s Andrew Garfield in the lead role. Andrew knows the ropes, and I like that about him. I saw him in The Social Network, and The Imaginarium Of Dr Parnassus. He worked alongside some of the coolest actors of our time. It’ll be interesting to watch what goes on here. Will the film sink or swim? Will the film remind us that we probably didn’t need another Spider-Man film? Will the film make us crave even more Spider stuff? What do you make of all this?

JasonRed3:  First off, I did like the overall feeling of the Sam Raimi movies… but I was also bothered by how the character was modified to follow the Ultimates feel, and the whole “Spider-Man’s powers are organic” rather than worrying about web shooters, etc. See, the one thing that’s been a constant in the Marvel universe for me is that Spider-Man is SMART. He’s respected by the scientific super heroes and often included on research by the likes of Reed Richards, etc. The Sam Raimi/Ultimates character was merely a high school student with all the foibles and challenges that come along with that… trying to make the character more approachable, I suppose. But I always fancied the idea of having to invent web shooters, and running out of web fluid, etc. So in a way, he’s getting back to his roots… BUT I do think it’s a bit too soon. I think we could have waited 4-5 more years before tapping the spider vein, so to speak.

Monkey Paw:  I agree with most of what you are saying.  I was glad to see Spider-Man getting back to his roots, starting with his web shooters.  I also have high hopes with the cast of this movie.   As far as too early, I’m not too sure.  After the bad taste the third movie left in my mouth, I think I need the amazing Spider-Man to show the world what being a superhero is all about!

Buddy Greene:  As a loyal fan of Spider-Man, I believe there are no limits to the amount of movies they can make about Spider-Man.  It must get better & better, from storylines to F/X.  I dare say if they can make new James Bond flims over & over, why not an icon like Spider-Man?  Try, try, & try again to get it right, Hollywood!

Jessica Doe:  From a girl’s point of view, the new Spider-Man film being directed by Marc Webb is a dream come true!  He is not an “anybody” just because YOU, sir, have never heard about him.  If he is, then that means that every single person in the world who you do not know, is an ANYBODY.  That’s just not true.  It’s interesting that he’s directing something completely opposite from the romantic comedy 500 Days Of Summer which he directed a few years ago, it shows that he’s versatile and doesn’t want to get trapped in the directorial seat of the same kinds of movies over and over.  In 500 Days Of Summer, the directing was done very well to prove points.  He’s not a boring director.  For example, during one of the scenes in 500, the lead male character is going to visit his “girlfriend” and his expectations are very different from what actually happens.  So, the screen is split into two, on the left side are his Expectations and on the right side is Reality.  This is my favorite scene!  So I’m sure that Marc Webb will do some magic with Spider-Man.  And even if he doesn’t, who cares?  Movies to me are experiments.  It’s trial and error.  There are a thousand ways to tell a story, and I think different perspectives matter.  They can make a story either more interesting or less interesting.  The bad attempts at telling a story just make you appreciate the good versions of a story even more.

Double M:  Too soon.  Way.  Nothing else matters.

Sleeve Coat:  Ha, Double M!  Spoken like a true curmudgeon.  Jessica raised some interesting points.  I’m certainly prepared to give Marc Webb a chance.  Marc has the perfect surname for directing this particular film, doesn’t he?  I also like what Jessica said about there being a thousand different ways of telling a story, and that the bad attempts will make the good attempts shine that much brighter in contrast.  As for whether or not it’s too soon, who can rightly say?  A better question might be, which classic Spider-Man villains would we most enjoy seeing grace the silver screen?  I’m glad that we’ll be seeing The Lizard.  Can Electro, Mysterio, Scorpion, Vulture, and Kraven The Hunter be far behind?  I’d really rather not see Green Goblin anymore, or Doctor Octopus, or Sandman again.  I wouldn’t mind seeing them take another crack at Venom though (or introducing Carnage).

JasonRed3:  Actually, I don’t care who the villain is.  There, I said it.  I don’t CARE… as long as the actor is willing to allow their face to be concealed by a mask if it’s appropriate.  Thankfully, it looks like the Lizard is being handled well… Vulture would be easy, as would Kraven… as for the rest… if they wear a mask as a bad guy, they should be WEARING A MASK.  Not some kind of electro helmet thingie that allows you to see their face and their “acting” as it were.  I’m all for respecting the craft, but the movie has to come first.  Sorry.

Double M:  Well said, JasonRed3!

Sleeve Coat:  Hear, hear!

JasonRed3:  To be a bit indelicate for a moment… I was actually ok with the casting of Topher Grace as Eddie Brock, even though he’s the complete physical opposite of what Eddie has been portrayed as in the comics.  Where I have a problem is how they manipulated the Venom costume to allow us to see Topher’s face.  It made no sense, and I really didn’t enjoy seeing his face popping out of the Devil’s sphincter.  No… did not enjoy it.

Sleeve Coat:  I remember being ok with the casting of Topher Grace as Eddie Brock too.  I also remember NOT being ok with how they handled Venom in that third Spider-Man film.  It was enough to sour the dispositions of even the hardiest Spiderfans.  While we’re at it, I also don’t want to see anymore casting of Chris Evans or Ryan Reynolds, in the roles of any more super-powered characters from comicbooks.  Once each was plenty.  Twice each was crossing over the line of good taste.  And so, cheers to Marvel Films for NOT casting Chris Evans or Ryan Reynolds in Marc Webb’s upcoming Spider-Man film.

Old Luddy Gordy:  I think the fact that 500 Days had the right tinge of hipness and angst might speak towards what Webb (interesting name for a Spidey-helmer) could accomplish with a young, confused hero such as a fledgling Spider-Man.  As for the reboot thing, of course, like every other jaded comic fanboy, I have found myself hating on the idea.  But, let’s face it: this DIRECTLY mimics the way of the comic art form.  What I refer to is the changing of the guard.  Some of the industry’s creative teams last a little longer than others (if they are exceptionally good or bringing in the bucks), but unless it’s a creator owned book, that’s the only consistency we can bank on…change.  For better or worse.  The question isn’t whether a reboot should happen (it will happen with or without our blessing), but the question is “Will it be done with love and respect?”  Like the comics they adapt, can the next team follow a great story?  Can you possibly deliver after the high standards set by say, BATMAN:HUSH?  It is far easier for an uninspired arc in a comic series to be swept under the rug than, say, a big budget/big name Hollywood “blockbuster”.  Worst case scenario, it can turn into a Schumacher-following-Burton scenario; from off-kilter visionary to cheesy neon garbage…a joke!  Ok, I promised I’d never again unearth those movies we do not speak of (my most broken promise).  Moving on now.  I can personally say that after Batman Begins, I don’t need another Caped Crusader origin (we all know how it happened, and it was finally done right), but rather a comic-loyal CGI extravaganza (Croc, Clayface, et cetera).  The difference with the Spider-Man franchise is they started the wrong way in the first place.  We now have Gwen Stacy, wise-cracks, and web-shooters.  Let’s see if everything else will fall into place.

JasonRed3:  Hear, hear!!

I. A. Tollah:  I finally saw the trailer for this yesterday, and I have no idea what this movie is supposed to be about. Why is Spider Man now amazing? He wasn’t amazing before? I mean the dude could climb walls and shoot webs out of his arms. That’s pretty darn amazing if you ask me. Is he amazing because Toby McGuire is no longer playing him. To me it was amazing they cast that whiny nincompoop in the first place! You know what would be amazing? If Dr Doom came and destroyed Spider Man, and then climbed out of the screen in the movie theater and hunted down Toby McGuire. That would be amazing. Heck I might even see that film twice!