Spiderman 2
"Everybody loves a hero," says Aunt May - the dauntless guardian of Spider-Man's alter ego Peter Parker - in the latest outing for New York's finest protector of the peace. And if the box-office receipts are anything to go by, the world agrees: Spider-Man 2 recouped its $200 million production costs within a record-breaking eight days of its US release, which means that the web slinger's yarn will be spun throughout four more sequels (at least).
Spidey's competitors have fared less well in the bruising battle for this summer's blockbuster crown. The sci -fi spectacular The Chronicles of Riddick (starring Vin Diesel) took a disappointing $24 million in its opening weekend, and although Troy and Van Helsing generated more cash, both were criticised for their lacklustre characters and plots.
With so many movies on the menu, and production costs rocketing as they all compete for a share of the audience, what makes Spider-Man 2 stand out?
Sam Raimi's film focuses on character building rather than block busting, and this is surely what gives it the edge. Sure, Spidey's dazzling mastery of the Manhattan skyline helps to draw the crowds, as does his ability to pummel his power-loving arch villains; but it's what happens behind the mask that really proves the draw. The human story never runs short of intrigue, as the film critic Peter Bradshaw highlights:
'Spider-Man is rare among superhero myths in showing how actually being one would mean letting down your family and friends all the time, and how being true to your self isn't easy when you're not sure what that is.'
Spider-Man has always been forced to make tough decisions about his dual identity and the duty and responsibility that come with super-hero status. And his storytellers have always been aware of their responsibility to provide a compelling role model. So Parker listens to and respects his elders and mentors; as a science student, he's chided for being 'brilliant but lazy' and he learns that intelligence is a greater gift than his adopted arachnid abilities.
In fact, the message is clear: we all have talents, we all have a responsibility to our fellow sojourners on this planet, we all have the ability to make the most of the life we've been given.
We might, perhaps, add that we are all, therefore, heroes in God's eyes. The only thing missing is the spandex.
Jason Gardner
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