Return of the magic web
SUDHISH KAMATH
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Filmmaker Sam Raimi's interpretation explores the darker, vengeful side of Peter Parker in `Spider-Man 3.'
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TRANSCENDS COMIC BOOK JUVENILIA: Spider-Man 3
Five years ago, it wasn't just Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker who got bitten by the spider bug. It was a generation. Okay, more.
Thanks to Sam Raimi's interpretation of the superhero, millions of movie and comic book lovers around the world have had a chance to hang out, swoop down and grow up with the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man.
Very few superhero movies have actually managed to transcend comic book juvenilia.
Raimi's interpretation (`Spider-Man 3') works magic because it not only stays loyal to all the uni-dimensional bits of detail you find in Marvel Comics but also fleshes out lesser-known trivia about Spider-Man with a little twist here and there, and an interesting human touch.
Tobey Maguire, the face of Peter Parker, believes that his director Raimi has pushed the superhero genre into territory once never imagined. "Relationships, characters, story and emotional impact are all given as much weight in the film as the stunning action sequences." Let's get this right: Raimi's Spidey franchise is really about Peter Parker, the boy behind that mask rather than the heroics itself.
Behind-the-scenes look
It's about the making of the hero, the behind-the-scenes, a candid look at the shy boy-next-door nursing a secret crush on his more than plain Jane neighbour, who has a messed up life herself.
Even when he's flawed and confused, the geek behind the glasses has a heart. If Peter Parker is the epitome of all things young, confused and vulnerable, Spider-Man works as the alter-ego: What every ordinary boy longs to be and could be, if only he was willing to pay the price.
"The film has a heart and it's thanks to Sam," says Kirsten Dunst.
"Sam loves Spider-Man, so he does it so honestly. He knows he has a huge responsibility towards everyone that sees this film."
In the first instalment, from Uncle Ben, Peter learnt to cope with the great responsibility that came with great power. In the second, from Aunt May, he learnt to balance his double life and every kid's legitimate need for a hero.
"Believe it or not what we do at the end of each movie is to get together and do a critical analysis of what could have been done better," says Avi Arad, producer and former CEO of Marvel Comics. "And that's probably the thing we are most proud of with `Spider-Man 3.' We found a way to make it better."
Tobey Maguire tells us what to expect. "He's got the girl, he's handling school, work, Aunt May, everything. Even his super hero duties and public relations are good. People adore him. But eventually that goes to his head."
Urge for revenge
When he sees that the man responsible for Uncle Ben's death, Flinto Marko (Thomas Haden Church), has now become the destructive Sandman, he is consumed by the urge to take revenge.
To make Parker darker, ruthless and selfish in this outing, the makers have also introduced an alien symbiot that can enhance his super-powers at the cost of destroying his moral superhero fabric, almost literally. That's how Spidey gets the dashing black suit that seen in the promotional pictures.
"I think this film is a little funnier," says Maguire. "But it's also darker and we're dealing with issues of vengeance and pride and ego. Peter makes certain choices and there are consequences... Black Spidey, was kind of fun because I got to explore the bad side of Peter."
James Franco returns as Peter's best friend-turned-foe Harry Osburn wanting to avenge his Dad's death, while Bryce Dallas Howard, as Mary's rival Gwen Stacey (originally killed by Green Goblin in the comic book version) and Topher Grace as Eddie Brock (who becomes Venom thanks to the symbiot), Peter's rival photographer, join the cast.
However, in spite of fighting Harry, Venom and Sandman, as the tag-line goes, the greatest battle for Spider-Man, lies within.
Which means that Peter Parker fans will see more of the 31-year old actor in the latest edition. More significantly, probably, for the last time.
As the publicists reveal, the star has reportedly said: "I'm getting a little older and hopefully over the next five years I'll be able to transition into more adult type of roles. I know that I look pretty young, so we'll see what's out there. I'm looking forward to it."
"I think we've certainly wrapped up some storylines for the three pictures and you know, it wraps up nicely," says Tobey, hastening to add: "Sony is having a script written and if there's a good movie that deserves to be made then I would be interested in doing it with the right team."
As for `Spider-Man 3,' "I think it's the best of the three," proclaims Avi Arad. "The most complex, the most emotional and probably, from a literary standpoint, it's the smartest movie we ever made. One that Sam tells in a unique and magical way," he says. "Because that's the kind of filmmaker he is."
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