They say history repeats itself and I see the maxim being repeated rather blatantly to the point of plagiarism in the Spider-Man movies. Now what do I mean? Afterall, aren't the Spider-Man movies some of the most original, most exciting movies out there? I say no. The series has gradually turned into asubtle clone of the Superman movies. What do I mean? Let's do some mild comparisons.
The first Spider-Man movie is about a kid who feels alienated and in love with someone he can't have. His father, who isn't his real father, offers sage advice and eventually dies after imparting his most lasting statement leavingan indelible image in the mind of his "son". Spider-Man? Or Superman? Superman was an awkward teen when he was Clark in the original 1978 movie. Everyone laughs at him. He is excluded. He loves Lana but can't have her though she appears to care about him. His adoptive father is constantly talking to him about how special he is, about some future purpose, about using his powers for the right reason and not self gain. "You are here for a reason. But I'll tell you one thing. It's not to score touchdowns." The original movie of both series likewise show our heroes weaving their way through their big cities making an impact on crime. We even get the love subplot of the girl loving the hero's one identity but not the other and even speaking to the one's identity about loving the other.
Spider-Man 2 continues this thread by ripping off the most important part of the plot. In Spider-Man 2, like Superman 2, the hero sacrifices his powers in order to find love and a normal life only to discover their needed and to forgo their personal wants for the greater good.
Spider-Man 3 really proves Raimi is ripping off the franchise by the fact that now we have our hero turned into an evil version of himself a la some foreign object. It was artifical Kryptonite in Superman III, a symbiote from space in Spider-Man 3. We get the hero to gradually turn into a selfish, self-centered individual who uses his powers for self-satisfaction and even to gain a new girl (both blondes, Lorelai Ambrosia in Superman III and Gwen Stacey in Spider-Man 3). Their costumes darken. Eventually the dual identities fight one another after discovering how the darkness in consuming them with that moment of "one great scream" before the separation. And of course the heroes kill their alternate versions. Sandman seems a mild rip-off of Richard Pryor's Gus Gorman in that he is a reluctant villain who feels guilty for his role in the film. Even more compelling is the fact that this movie, like Superman III, is getting mixed reviews.
Do you see the common thread running through this series? It's even got to the point that Maguire, like Reeve, swears there won't be a 4 though Reeve eventually conceded. The question is whether Maguire will do the same. If there is a 4, will it kill the series like Superman IV: The Quest for Peace did?
And yes, I know, I need to get a life. Women out there...save me from myself!
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