Reel Critics

Ray Buffer

As happy as I was with the concept of finally seeing a Spiderman film,

I began to dread what the product might be after seeing an interview with

the movie’s star, Tobey Maguire on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

In the interview, Maguire seemed more concerned about the success of

the Lakers, than that of his own film. Did he not care? It turns out that

Maguire was apparently unconcerned out of well deserved confidence.

I never thought I would feel the same exhilaration that “Superman: The

Movie” brought me the first time I saw it at the age of 10 at a Florida

Cineplex. But I was wrong.

“Spiderman” delivers a romantic, emotional story primarily focusing on

Peter Parker, as played by Maguire. I was familiar with Maguire’s work

and had always considered him a capable actor, even though many critics

who learned of the casting were concerned that he was not what they

pictured as an “action hero.” Maguire plays Parker to perfection, and

Spiderman, in the capable hands of director Sam Raimi, is simply an

extension of Parker.

Maguire has a gift for minimalism. He does not overdo anything and his

performance is extremely facial. His eyes are used vigorously to show

growth, understanding, love, pain and transition.

Willem Dafoe plays the millionaire industrialist Norman Osborn. I

particularly enjoyed seeing Dafoe portray his interest in Peter Parker’s

intellect as a student, and then his parallel interest in Spiderman’s

powers, before realizing they all belonged to the same person.

Rounding out the cast and playing Osborn’s son, who is also Peter

Parker’s best friend, is James Franco. Franco’s role evolves at the end

of the film to propel him into a role as a villain in one of the future

Spiderman sequels. Rosemary Harris is endearing as Aunt May. Spiderman

creator, Stan Lee is said to have made a cameo, although I confess -- I

missed it.

Composer Danny Elfman’s score did not seem to distract at any point in

the film, but his main musical theme also did not seem to “attract.”

Kudos to screenwriters David Koepp and Alvin Sargent for a balanced

script, which not only contains the stereotypical sinister “We’ll meet

again, Spiderman” line, but also bouncy clever dialogue and dramatic

sensitive duologues.

The writers and director seemed to borrow a concept from the early 80s

cult favorite ABC TV show, “The Greatest American Hero” in which a

schoolteacher bumbles his way through life learning and developing his

“super powers.”

One of the primary joys of Raimi’s Spiderman is that we get to see the

experimentation and awe that Parker experiences while tapping his

newfound abilities.

This movie is full of powerful morality lessons. An extremely poignant

moment is captured as Parker/Spiderman chooses not to act when a man that

cheated him, ends up getting robbed. Parker learns the hard lesson that

inaction can also have its consequences as the robber that he let go free

impacts his life personally. Parker also learns that superheroes are not

exempt from scrutiny, and the public will be suspicious of even the most

altruistic of intentions.

* RAY BUFFER, 32, is a professional singer, actor and voice-over

artist.