Spider-Man Then and Now

Spider-Man Then and Now

A lot of people is debating who plays better and who has the better story for Spider-man.

Before he gets his special spider bite, Maguire’s Peter Parker is a true blue loser.

Garfield is a different kind of outcast. He’s a loser in the eyes of his classmates, but a much less helpless one. It’s a new take on an old idea, and while Maguire’s version may be a more accurate version of the comics, Garfield’s is more interesting in this respect.

Maguire’s performance in Spider-Man 2 may be one of the most perfect examples of the journey of heroism ever put to screen. Set some time after Peter has become Spider-Man, the movie allows the character to begin questioning his own motives for being a hero and has him struggling with the desire for a normal life where he can be with MJ and live happily ever after. It affects him on a deep, psychological level, to the point where his powers actually begin to fade and malfunction, but when he finally puts a strong focus on what he wants he discovers who he really is: Spider-Man.

Because the reboot is a retelling of the origin story, the hero concept is a bit shallow in comparison. Garfield’s Spidey does have to overcome feelings of anger and the desire for revenge, but the transition into helping the troubled citizens of New York comes fairly easy to the young man who was rescuing dorks from bullies even before he had superpowers. I’m not saying the new interpretation of the character isn’t a hero, but the impact isn’t as strong as it was previously. It may be unfair to Garfield at this point because he’s only had one movie while Maguire had three, but the truth is that the younger actor has a lot to catch up to.

Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy was written as a smart, self sufficient, willing to fight the villain herself (if necessary) kind of girl. She was meant to be down to Earth and not a complete fantasy. She doesn't need Peter, she chooses to want him. I believe that Emma Stone plays this rounded out, well written character very well, as she probably has the best performance in the new movie.

Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane Watson was written as a damsel in distress for Peter to fall in love with no matter what. She is saved five times (and one of those times it's is apple juice that nearly causes her injury) before he tells her he is Spider Man, then she is only kidnapped once. MJ has strands of more human qualities but is mostly meant to be a symbol and/or reward. For what it is worth though, Kirsten Dunst plays this clichéd character down to a tee.

So I guess preference goes with whether you think having a clichéd damsel in distress is better or worse than a self sufficient girl who is smart enough to call out clichés openly.

 

The green goblin is Spiderman’s archenemy and is named after the color of the suit Norman Osborn wears as well as green being his favorite color. He is portrayed by Willem Dafoe in the Spiderman movie and has super human strength, intellect and agility.

This new character in a decidedly different aesthetic direction than the original trilogy. For one thing, this Goblin doesn’t just wear green. That’s his skin, breaking out in what looks like the nastiest case of Goblin-itis this side of Middle-Earth..