Spider-Man (2002) | Archive

29 Jul 2026 · 41 min · 20 chapters

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In short

Film Spotting Archive review/discussion of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man (2002) on its 20th anniversary, focusing on why it still works and ranking iconic scenes (with heavy spoilers).

Guests/backgrounds

Hosts are Adam and Josh (Film Spotting). Adam recalls writing for the Daily Iowan as a grad student; Josh discusses seeing the film in a Chicago theater and his earlier Raimi familiarity (e.g., Darkman).

Key claims

The movie is self-contained and intimate (few core characters, grounded New York stakes), and its romance is central to its staying power. The action sequences feel personal rather than chaotic; practical effects/stunts help. The upside-down kiss and Peter’s responsibility arc are highlighted as defining moments.

Notable examples

Green Goblin’s cackling; “My name is the human spider”; the Thanksgiving turkey moment with Aunt May; the cemetery choice where Peter sacrifices happiness; the bridge/cable car fight; the upside-down kiss in the rain (with mask/mouth reveal); Peter discovering his powers montage; Uncle Ben’s puberty/relationship-related beats.

Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.

Chapters

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Kickoff for Spider-Man Discussion

2:30 to 6:00

Hosts introduce the topic of discussing Sam Raimi's Spider-Man.

“What kind of a show are you guys putting on here today?”

Reflecting on Spider-Man's Impact

6:00 to 11:00

Discussion on the significance and context of Spider-Man post-9/11.

“Whatever it is, somebody has to stop it.”

Iconic Spider-Man Moments

11:00 to 14:00

Hosts discuss their favorite scenes and moments from Spider-Man.

“Theoretically, at this point, this was my job.”

Willem Dafoe's Enthusiastic Performance

14:00 to 15:00

Discussing Dafoe's commitment and great villain portrayal.

“us here, anytime Willem Dafoe cackles, I just love the enthusiasm.”

Memorable Scenes in Spider-Man

15:00 to 17:00

Highlighting iconic scenes and their impact on the story.

“And I was a little cooler on it than most people are, just that the camera always had to be doing something.”

Exploring Themes of Masculinity

17:00 to 19:45

Analyzing masculinity as portrayed in the relationships of the film.

“So Aunt May admonishing an ornery Osborn is my number five.”

Peter Parker's Sacrifices

19:45 to 21:58

Discussing Peter's choices and the emotional weight of his responsibilities.

“Very fair to call James Franco's Harry toxic.”

The Bridge Fight Showdown

21:58 to 24:06

Describing the significance and execution of the bridge fight scene.

“So I love that that choice and specifically MJ's recognition.”

The Bridge Fight Showdown

25:04 to 25:32

Describing the significance and execution of the bridge fight scene.

“Zach, nice vacation spot, but without T-Mobile 5G home internet, I feel so cut off.”

The Bridge Fight Showdown

25:51 to 26:05

Describing the significance and execution of the bridge fight scene.

“Just$35 a month with auto pay and a voice line.”
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Comparison with Modern Superhero Films

27:08 to 28:00

Contrasting Spider-Man's emotional depth with current superhero films.

“But what I really like about your pick sequence on the bridge is that it's a confrontation, but it's more about acrobatics and the choices you're talking about.”

Exploring Iconic Scenes

28:00 to 30:13

Discussion of the upside down kiss and its significance in the film.

“And that sequence you picked is about so many other things, which is why I think it's such a highlight.”

Origins of the Upside Down Kiss

30:13 to 31:38

Insights into the creation and significance of the iconic kiss scene.

“There is a sex scene, but it is kind of doesn't really work.”

Romantic Framing of Spider-Man

31:38 to 35:50

Analyzing the film's romantic focus versus traditional superhero narratives.

“The ones you described, I like how it just uses the mask and you can sense that it's a real mass, you know, there's no CGI here either on his face.”

Learning and Embracing Powers

35:50 to 40:24

Discussion on Peter Parker's journey of discovering his powers and the fun involved.

“Because for me, I think what this does, it sort of combines two of the great things about the movie.”

Coming of Age Themes

40:24 to 42:00

Exploration of puberty and relational changes represented in Spider-Man.

“So one more thing for sure I wanted to touch on.”

Exploring Spider-Man's Coming-of-Age Themes

42:00 to 44:49

The hosts discuss the coming-of-age aspects of Spider-Man and its relational dynamics.

“So all of that, I think is tied into this as a puberty parable is just charting, you know, some nods to the physical changes, but also noticing the relational element as well.”

Exploring Spider-Man's Coming-of-Age Themes

44:50 to 45:31

The hosts discuss the coming-of-age aspects of Spider-Man and its relational dynamics.

“More Spider-Man talk coming on Friday with our top five Spider-Man scenes.”

Exploring Spider-Man's Coming-of-Age Themes

46:19 to 47:39

The hosts discuss the coming-of-age aspects of Spider-Man and its relational dynamics.

“Now more than ever, America needs a laugh.”

Exploring Spider-Man's Coming-of-Age Themes

47:43 to 48:09

The hosts discuss the coming-of-age aspects of Spider-Man and its relational dynamics.

“They set standards, broke records, empowered people to build bigger and higher, to dig deeper, to make the impossible possible.”
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Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

0:00Josh Larsen:This is an iHeart Podcast.

0:02Adam Kempenaar:Guaranteed human.

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1:24Adam Kempenaar:those points to save even more enjoy exclusive deals when you shop in-store or online for easy drive up and go, pickup or delivery.

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2:05Josh Larsen:Film Spotting is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. See any standard 2D movie anytime with no blackout dates or restrictions. Sign up now on the Regal app or at the link in our description and use code FILMSPOT26 to receive 15 % off.

2:30Adam Kempenaar:What kind of a show are you guys putting on here today? You're not interested in art?

2:34Josh Larsen:No. Now look, we're going to do this thing. We're going to have a conversation.

2:39Adam Kempenaar:Hey, film spotters. It is time for a drop from the Film Spotting Archive. And with Marvel's new Spider-Man movie coming to theaters and our top five Spider-Man scenes dropping on Friday, we decided to go into the archive and pull out our 20th anniversary sacred cow review of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, the 2002 movie. We pulled this out from 2022, Josh. Now, I know from talking to you just before we started recording that you have no recollection whatsoever of this conversation.

3:14Josh Larsen:I, in doing all my research and my processing and my remembering, even pulling up my old reviews. No. So I don't know what that says about this conversation. I'm sure it was as brilliant as ever. And I'm just, for some reason, it went through the sieve of my brain. But did you, however, did you listen to it as part of your research to refresh yourself?

3:38Adam Kempenaar:I did not listen to it. I did vaguely recall us having the conversation. But here's how I knew that you probably had no recollection of this conversation. Oh, boy. So we just taped the Friday show, the top five Spider-Man scenes. And at no point did this conversation come up. And that's only really relevant because I went back and looked at my notes from this conversation because there is at least one scene from Spider-Man, as you know, from this Spider-Man on my list. And so I wanted to see, did I bring up this scene? What did I say about it? As you, as you do, turns out as listeners are about to hear, turns out that the conceit for this conversation that listeners are about to hear was me talking about Raimi delivering iconic scenes and me asking you for your top five from this movie, from this movie.

4:37So I don't know because I haven't listened to this conversation either, but it turns out that in my notes, the way my notes for this movie are structured, I don't really have any bullet points.

4:48Adam Kempenaar:I just have top five moments. Okay. I have a top five moments from this film and my number one did turn out to be randomly, not surprisingly, but randomly turned out to be the same number one that is my top five Spider-Man moment on Friday.

5:06Josh Larsen:Whereas there's a good chance I will, on this review, people are about to hear, contradict myself and the pick that I will make two days later.

5:16Adam Kempenaar:Yeah. So it turns out you've already done a Spider-Man top five. It's probably in your notes somewhere in preparation for this show.

5:23Josh Larsen:I should have looked there. That would have made Friday's show a lot easier. But, oh, wow. You got to put in the work, Adam.

5:30Adam Kempenaar:Or more difficult. Who knows? Well, with that setup, you can now listen to our top five. Well, it's supposed to be not a top five. It's supposed to be our Spider-Man conversation about Sam Raimi's film from 2002 upon its 20th anniversary. Here is that conversation from episode 872. And just a reminder that as a film spotting family member, you can dip into the archive and pull out conversations like this just at your fingertips at any time you would like. What the hell is that?

6:05Josh Larsen:Whatever it is, somebody has to stop it.

6:08Adam Kempenaar:With great power comes great responsibility. This is my gift.

6:12Josh Larsen:Wow.

6:12Adam Kempenaar:It is my curse.

6:13Josh Larsen:Who are you?

6:14Adam Kempenaar:Who am I? I'm Spider-Man. When I was four or five, I was interviewed for my mom's company newsletter. One of the questions was, what do you want to be when you grow up? No, my answer wasn't astronaut or policeman or fireman. I wanted to be Spider-Man. Sam Raimi's Spider-Man didn't send me running in search of my old red and blue spandex tights, but let's just say I thought about it. That was how I opened my review of Raimi's Spider-Man, released this week back in 2002, when I was a grad student cutting my critical teeth at the Daily Iowan. Fun fact, I'm pretty sure that Spidey review concluded my two-year run at the DI.

6:56Adam Kempenaar:Let's see if you can identify this one, Josh. As someone who used to dress up in Spider-Man underoos and literally try to climb walls when I was a kid. The highest praise I can give this high-flying adaptation from director Sam Raimi is to say it made me want to be Spider-Man again. I'm glad you said it so I don't have to. That's the opening to your capsule review of Spider-Man, of course, and I'm tempted to suggest the connection proves we were destined to do this show together. Maybe. Except for the fact that we could probably find, I don't know, a few hundred thousand Gen X males who would have started their reviews similarly.

7:32Adam Kempenaar:Nevertheless, clearly we were ready for Raimi and Spider-Man. So were most moviegoers. We had Blade and X-Men and Tim Burton's Batman and the Superman movies before that. But this was pre-Sony having to crank out a Spidey movie every five years or else relinquish the IP. Pre-MCU, pre-DCEU, pre-anyone ever using the phrase cinematic universe. at all, as far as I can recall. The release also came just eight months after 9-11. A teaser featured footage of bank robbers caught in one of Spidey's webs spun between the Twin Towers, and included a shot of the towers reflected in the eyes of his mask. That footage was pulled within a few days of the attacks.

8:15Adam Kempenaar:Watching Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin streak across the Manhattan skyline and throw bombs at a tall building hits different post-9-11, still. Same for the climactic action scene where Tobey Maguire's wall crawler thwarts the bad guy terrorist with an assist from angry New Yorkers, and Spidey's final swing from the pull of an American flag waving gloriously atop the Empire State Building. Was that spirit why Spider-Man was the biggest box office earner of its year, grossing a full$100 million more domestically than Star Wars Episode 2, Attack of the Clones, and was the sixth highest grossing film overall at the time of its release?

8:54Adam Kempenaar:or was it simply because it's such a well-made, rousing, character-driven action movie with no multiverses but a multitude of memorable scenes? Looking back at my notes from the Spider-Man 3 review on the show, I commented that despite my strong appreciation for Spider-Man 2, and let's be clear, I know that it has some great sequences, at the time I couldn't immediately recall iconic scenes from it the way I could with its predecessor. And the handful of scenes I jotted down then were all among my favorites on this rewatch. In the parlance of our teenage kids, I'd love to hear your top five iconic Spider-Man moments.

9:33Adam Kempenaar:And tell me, which one had you locked in your bedroom, struggling to fit into those old underoos, with knocks on the door and you saying, I'm exercising! I'm not dressed, Debbie!

9:46Josh Larsen:Oh, if I still had those, I would be so happy. Did you have those? Did you get in on the underoo craze? Of course I did. Okay, good. Of course I did. Spidey Superman. Yep, I'm relieved to hear that. I'm also relieved to hear that your answer to your mom's company newsletter wasn't, I foresee myself managing a team of 15 to 20 very confidently and competently. I mean, I'm so glad to hear there was a very young superhero aspiring Adam out there. I wasn't beaten down and jaded yet. Before he started, you know, claiming the right stuff was his best film or what's the other one? The Garp one, you know, like Garp formed me at age four.

10:27Josh Larsen:That's what did it to me, actually. Okay. Yeah, that's nice. I like picturing you that way. It's interesting because I would say Burton's Batman, I was still, you know, in, was it middle school or just before high school, but saw that as a complete fan, right? and was as excited about it as I could possibly be. Always loved Spider-Man more than Batman, but liked Batman 2 as a kid. And then Spider-Man, Raimi's Spider-Man 2002, is where I had to think about this somewhat professionally, right? Theoretically, at this point, this was my job. And it was my job as writing for the Naperville Sun at that point.

11:09Josh Larsen:And I remember sitting in the screening, it was at Piper's Alley, which doesn't exist anymore, as a movie theater in Chicago. And there was another critic, a couple rows ahead of me, who came, probably a little older than us, came wearing a Spider-Man t-shirt. And as soon as the credits started, just started rocking back and forth in his seat. And I remember thinking to myself, still somewhat trying to figure this out, where's the line of professionalism and personal enthusiasm? You and Mr. Purist were so unhappy. I just didn't know what to do with that. And I like to think maybe I've gotten past that because my review, as you saw, even in that opening that you quoted, was purely enthusiastic and tied into the same sort of response, you know?

12:01Josh Larsen:And that is kind of how I responded to it, watching it again. this movie is just so sweet, which I think I had forgotten. It's very self-contained in the way you've already talked about there. Not only are there no multiverses, there's no cinematic universes. And that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be better, but I did appreciate how this story really, it affected all those New Yorkers who were caught as bystanders, But it really involves maybe seven to eight people, right? Right. Peter's family, Mary Jane, and then the Osbournes. And that's pretty much who this, it doesn't affect not only this whole planet or universe or multiverses.

12:48Josh Larsen:It's just this group of 10 or less. And there was something intimate about that that I did appreciate. so I think this stands up you know obviously it stood up at the time fascinating for you to bring 9-11 into it because I had totally forgotten that context and you're absolutely right that was on everybody's minds at the time that's an element to it as well but I just think you're right it's really well made hits all the right buttons that we want a movie like this to hit and is still in ways that we can probably get into a Sam Raimi movie which is another thing I was excited about at the time, you know?

13:26Josh Larsen:So I had, I mean, speaking of where I was, I had taken, Debbie and I had gone on a date to see Darkman. So I was, you know, that much of kind of aware of Raimi at that point, many years earlier to have him take on Spider-Man was another reason for me to be excited and to see it come through and have touches of him as a filmmaker. I really fell for it. So I think at some point you asked me about scenes. Do you want me to, do you want my query, my demand for your five favorites? No, let's do it. Let's do it. I mean, I'm going to say, as you may not be surprised based on how I set up or transitioned us here, anytime Willem Dafoe cackles, I just love the enthusiasm.

14:09Josh Larsen:And he's not above this part either, right? He's not kind of trying to have it both ways where he's really committed, but is also letting us know somehow that he's above this comic book material. I think he's all in. And I think it's a great villain performance. Another highlight scene. My name is the human spider. Peter's insistence on that rather than Bruce Campbell's, you know, obviously a perfect name. He doesn't realize it's better. He insists. You're right. The whole wrestling match sequence minus that, you know, homophobic quip that still is in the script that certainly dates it in a negative way.

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14:46Josh Larsen:Number three would be this exchange. You're taller than you look. I hunch. don't just the economy of that how much work do those three lines do david kopp screenwriter of course here uh number two the whole trying out his powers sequence and this is the one where it was like oh man am i wearing my underoos like i might be wearing my underoos still right just just the mcguire's enthusiasm and going back to ramey's camera you know ramey has always had i think we We talked about Evil Dead at some point on the show, maybe for a Halloween-themed episode. And I was a little cooler on it than most people are, just that the camera always had to be doing something.

15:30Josh Larsen:And what I like about Spider-Man is that he chooses the right moments for the camera to do something, and that whole sequence is where you get it. And then I'll just say it, and we can dive into it later. I want to hear your scenes as well, but the upside-down kiss, that's number one. Yeah.

15:44Adam Kempenaar:So the last two you mentioned are my top two, and I have them just in reverse order. I'm going with the kiss number two, the upside down kiss in the rain, and then number one, discovering his powers. And we can get into those a little more. I think I want to say up front here that we're going to be pretty comfortable spoiling this movie. We're going to assume that most of you listening have seen this film. And if you haven't, I'm not going to say 90 % of our review is going to be spoilers. But still, you should maybe skip ahead until you have actually seen this movie. So do you want me to just go in order?

16:21Adam Kempenaar:Do you want me to give you five through three for me? Yeah, run them down. You didn't mention them. And they all get it different aspects of the film that I really appreciate. My number five, and this is one that you will not find on any list out there of the best Spider-Man scenes ever. But on rewatch, just made me cackle almost the way Willem Dafoe cackles as the Green Goblin. It's the Thanksgiving scene where he's about to cut into the turkey, but then Aunt May sets down that casserole or whatever, and he can't help himself. Norman Osborn reaches his finger in to get a bite before it's served.

17:05Adam Kempenaar:Oh, yeah. Aunt May admonishes him. So Aunt May admonishing an ornery Osborn is my number five. And I love it so much because of Defoe's response. the way he looks at her, which is with that devilish grin that suggests not only am I a little bit unhappy that you did that, I actually want to jam this knife in right now. Like that is exactly what he is thinking at that moment. And it takes everything he has within him playing the normal Norman to restrain himself and not do it. And the way Ramey lingers on that. So we have to be in that space. And Aunt May is even kind of looking at him. Rosemary Harris, very good performance here as well, is looking at him and continues to kind of talk almost like this is a joke, right?

17:56Adam Kempenaar:But he doesn't really look like he's joking. And I think that scene is fantastic. And I think it does get at how good Defoe is in this film overall. Maybe tangent just for a second. You mentioned Raimi and you were excited about that at the time. I don't know if I was a good enough cinephile in 2002 to really think in those terms. In fact, I know I wasn't because I went back and looked at my review and I at least admitted that, you know, I had seen the evil dead once, but mostly watched it through my hands because it scared me so much as a junior high kid. And I definitely didn't feel like I could speak in any terms about Raimi as an auteur.

18:37Adam Kempenaar:So that was something that was lost on me completely back in 02. And this time you could see some of those horror elements really come through, including in those Green Goblin scenes where he is by himself talking to himself. Those are legitimately creepy. And it takes an actor of Defoe's caliber to make them work and to make them as sinister and creepy as they actually are. I also really like that scene, Josh, because that moment with Aunt May and it closes with an exchange between Harry and Kirsten Dunst, Mary Jane as well. It gets at something this film is dealing with, which is masculinity.

19:17Adam Kempenaar:masculinity. Something that definitely wasn't a prism I was watching movies through 20 years ago, but that look he gives Aunt May is a look he would give anybody who's sort of standing in his way of anything, but I think it's heightened by the fact that she's a woman. Thanks for sticking up for me, Harry. You heard?

19:38Josh Larsen:Everyone heard that creep.

19:40Adam Kempenaar:The creep is my father, all right? If I'm lucky, I'll become half of what he is. So just keep your mouth shut about stuff you don't understand. Harry Osborn.

19:49Josh Larsen:Very fair to call James Franco's Harry toxic. Exactly. How about when he's approving MJ's dress for meeting his father? Worried about if he'll find her pretty.

20:01Adam Kempenaar:Yeah, there's a lot of nasty stuff like this in here. There is. I mean, the movie is filled with bad guys. And I don't mean bad guys like villains, though there's villains here, too. It's full of bad guys doing bad things. My number four is here's where we really get into spoilers. It's the end or that scene right before the final swing and the Empire State Building shot. It's the scene at the cemetery for Norman Osborn. And it's the choice Peter makes, which I, of course, completely remembered. I knew that that's how it ended with this kind of crushing. Oh, he wants her so badly and now she wants him so badly.

20:44Adam Kempenaar:And is he actually going to say no? Is he actually going to do what he thinks he has to do, accepting his role, accepting his responsibility? And he's going to give up on happiness. He's going to give up on love, give up on MJ. And he does. And when he does, because we're invested enough in this story and these characters, when he does it, it crushes you. But what I forgot is that touch as he walks away where we get MJ's recognition that Peter is Spider-Man. And that's a case of the screenplay and the direction having it both ways, but I think in a really good, successful way. Oh, yeah. And all set up by that kiss, right?

21:28Adam Kempenaar:That's it. We understand his sacrifice. And since we see the movie through his eyes, we feel the weight of it. Like we know something Spider-Man doesn't. And he will continue to go through life into that second film not knowing what she knows. And so we'll continue to have that hanging over him. But the fact that we as an audience know that she really knows somehow does soften it while also putting it back on her in a way. She has to maintain the secret and she has to wrestle with why he's making that decision. So I love that that choice and specifically MJ's recognition. So then I'll get to here the last one before the two you mentioned.

22:11Adam Kempenaar:I think that that bridge fight showdown is really spectacular. and it's another choice, right? Where Spider-Man has to make one and he gets to have it both ways. He successfully, again, manages to save both all of those kids and all of those New Yorkers on the cable car and he also gets to save MJ. But it's a moment that not only just has great action and despite there clearly being some CGI, this whole film uses practical effects and stunts to such good effect that nothing really about that sequence really feels false or artificial at all. And it keeps it contained. It's not just about chaos and destruction like these movies so often devolve into.

22:58Adam Kempenaar:And what I think that sequence also encapsulates is the DNA of superhero movies that came before it and that came after it. It gets it right. It's all there on the screen where I'm sure most people were watching it and hearing his line where Defoe says something like, you know, if you're a hero, you're a good person. You're moral. At some point, a lunatic is going to force you into making a difficult choice. And I'm thinking about Heath Ledger's The Joker and The Dark Knight and The Ships, you know. And I feel like that DNA, that blueprint, as I said, is there for those movies that came, but also many of those ones that came before.

23:40Adam Kempenaar:It has the sensibility of a Donner Superman and of Burton's Batman at times versus going for total realism. There is a sense of humor. There is a lightness to it, a sweetness. The camp factor is in play in some scenes and just the right amount, I would say. And while that's the big showdown that any of these action movies are leading to, how about the fact that the final brawl is just that? it's a mano a mano fight between two characters where you have a reveal you know that peter is now having to be responsible for even though he doesn't actually commit it himself be responsible for the death of a man he actually admires and it's it's just hand-to-hand combat it's not at all 4 000 characters on screen and you're trying to keep up with the action and you feel it you feel the intensity of that fight and the intimacy of it.

25:03Adam Kempenaar:where your story starts.

25:10Adam Kempenaar:Zach, nice vacation spot, but without T-Mobile 5G home internet, I feel so cut off. It's scary. Relax. Just breathe in the woodsy woodsy-ness. Zach! Don't open it. It's a monster. I just know it. Buddy, it's just our DoorDash driver delivering our T-Mobile 5G home internet. Here you go, guys. Thanks. Look, Donald, Now you can get the fastest 5G home internet with same-day delivery powered by DoorDash. And it's easy to set up.

25:38Josh Larsen:See?

25:39Adam Kempenaar:Nothing to be afraid of.

25:40Josh Larsen:We're saved! It's scary how easy it is. Get T-Mobile 5G home internet delivered the same day. Powered by DoorDash. Just$35 a month with auto pay and a voice line. Plus taxes and fees. Same-day delivery for most internet-eligible customers. See if it's an option during checkout. fastest according to Ookla Speedtest based on Speedtest intelligence data second half 2025 all rights reserved

26:06Adam Kempenaar:Hey, it's Sisney for Jewel Osco

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26:14Adam Kempenaar:and earn four times the points Look for in-store tags to earn on eligible items from Charmin, All, Planters, Triscuit, Hidden Valley, and Progresso Then clip the offer one time in the app and save all event long Stack up those points to save even more Enjoy exclusive deals when you shop in-store or online for easy drive-up-and-go, pickup, or delivery. Subject to availability, restrictions apply. See website for full terms and conditions. And now, another appliance triumph from our friends at Grand Appliance. With three kids, I'm always cramming the washer full. So when we needed a new laundry set, I asked the experts at Grand Appliance for a big capacity washer with a dryer that could keep up.

26:52Adam Kempenaar:They recommended Electrolux, and we love it. advanced cleaning features with a massive dryer that gets everything dried the first time yes

26:59Josh Larsen:please sounds like another perfect match from the grand team shop grand appliance.com if i prefer the one that you made as your pick which i think is right it's probably because it's free of the sort of i mean the thing i talk about when it comes to the the mcu films the punch plosions right they're they're punching each other through walls and that mano a mano and i agree with you that it's personal. And so it works on that level. But what I really like about your pick sequence on the bridge is that it's a confrontation, but it's more about acrobatics and the choices you're talking about. And is he going to be able to hang on to this?

27:38Josh Larsen:Is he going to be able to spin around quickly enough? Those are the things that we're worried about. Not really, how hard is this next punch going to be? Okay. How hard is the next punch going to be? Okay. how hard is the next punch? You know, that's where a lot of superhero and I would say more of the DCEU films actually had this way, where we're just more invested in the brute strength. And that sequence you picked is about so many other things, which is why I think it's such a highlight.

28:07Adam Kempenaar:Yeah, I agree. So then let's talk a little bit more about the two scenes you mentioned that are atop my list as well, because that upside down kiss in the rain is probably the most iconic moment from this film. And for good reason, it's enjoyable on some level, cinematically, the same way all of these scenes we're discussing are. But in terms of what that scene expresses about what works about this film overall, yes, there is this sweetness that we've mentioned, the wholesomeness and innocence of this film overall. But think about this film and that relationship in comparison to the superhero movies we get today that are so, well, they're not only sexless, but they don't express anything that even resembles any sexual heat.

29:00Adam Kempenaar:There is no sensuality to these films whatsoever. And here we absolutely get it. It it doesn't shy away from Kirsten Dunst character playing MJ as probably the quote unquote hottest girl in school and in a way that doesn't make it to this male anyway feel to male gazey. You know, she's she's thirsting for Spider-Man. She makes the moves. She makes the move with Peter. She's in control. And back to the masculinity point, when she's mistreated by Harry, when she hears the conversation between Harry and Norman and he doesn't defend her at all, she calls him out on it. But there's sensuality in the exchange you mentioned, that line.

29:46Adam Kempenaar:That's all subtext for the actual heat that is starting to emerge between these two people. That great bit of dialogue you mentioned where he says that he hunches and she tells him not to. You know what's starting to come through there. And then in that kiss, it's a hot kiss. We get nothing like that in any other superhero movie of recent vintage I can think of, Josh.

30:12Josh Larsen:Well, Adam, that's because you missed the Eternals where, or just Eternals, I think I should say, where, you know, Marvel really, really moved into that. No, I'm just joking. It's there. There is a sex scene, but it is kind of doesn't really work. Yes, you're right about the hotness of it. And it's something that I wondered watching at this time is if this came from a comic book, you know, was this an image that was well known to Spider-Man fans? Was it invented for the movie? Was it in the script? So did a little Googling and actually The Ringer just published something today. I was reading at lunch.

30:46Josh Larsen:So this was perfect. Works out great for us. It's by Jake Kring, Shreefels, Shreefels, not sure how to pronounce that, but basically when Mary Jane Kiss Spider-Man is what it's titled. We'll link to it in the show notes because there's so many great details here, but just briefly turns out the basic idea came from Doug Leffler, who was the movie's second unit director and storyboard artist. he had staged scenes with characters upside down in his previous work as a TV director. So not necessarily kisses, but just this idea of having two characters in the frame, one of them upside down. So Leffler presented some sketches to Ramey.

31:22Josh Larsen:Ramey loved it. And then producer Laura Ziskin actually is the one who suggested the crucial element of having MJ pull down his mask just enough to reveal the lips. So all of that comes together to make this moment that I agree is legitimately iconic. And again, we'll link to that in the show notes on, on the ringer, but it's wonderful in so many ways. The ones you described, I like how it just uses the mask and you can sense that it's a real mass, you know, there's no CGI here either on his face. It's something that is actually wet that has to be pulled down. I think that adds a lot to it. going back to my Naperville Sun review you know I'm skeptical about puns Adam but I did pull one out I think I think this was me might have been our great JJ our great copy desk chief but swinging in the rain not bad right the headline for my review in 2002 yeah and you pretty proud of that one you're okay with puns and titles right or headlines titles and headlines that's what you save them for you have a knack for getting in trouble you have a knack for saving my life I think I have a superhero stalker.

32:29Josh Larsen:I was in the neighborhood. You are amazing.

32:36Adam Kempenaar:Some people don't think so.

32:40Josh Larsen:But you are.

32:42Adam Kempenaar:Nice to have a fan. Do I get to say thank you this time?

32:50Wait.

32:50Josh Larsen:So yeah, this is a wonderful moment and it makes me think of a question I want to get your take on, do you think it was smart? It sounds like you do. And maybe you don't see it this way, but for this Spider-Man to frame itself first and foremost as a romance. So rather than an action movie, rather even than an origin story, you know, you have that opening voiceover. We're told this is about a girl. That's what this is about. We get so many scenes to their developing relationship and chemistry. Sounds like you're with me agreeing that McGuire and Dunst are very good, especially together. And you already talked about that note it ends on.

33:25Josh Larsen:It's all about she doesn't know, but she does. And she knows that because of the kiss. So you're with me. It sounds like that that was a good move is to kind of frame it that way.

33:35Adam Kempenaar:I mean, I think it's what ultimately does make the movie special. It's why we're still talking about it 20 years later. It's not because it gets the action right, though that's part of it. It's not that it's fun and all of these elements that we've been discussing. It's part of it, but I think really at its core, it's because we respond to those characters so much and we respond to that central love story. But overall, I think that's also indicative of what generally works about this movie and you touched on it a little bit earlier. It is that it is self-contained. That's the right word for it.

34:10Adam Kempenaar:It does have some intimacy in a lot of these scenes. You do feel as if all of the action revolves around these four or five central characters, though, ironically, it's also a movie that gets right, the fact that it takes place in New York, and you feel as if there are real people living lives in the city. In contrast to, I'll say it, and I like many of these Marvel movies. We say this all the time. We've reviewed some of them very favorably on the show, but they have so many characters in it, and there's so much going on that you don't really ever get the sense that they exist in a real world, you know, or that there's stakes that affect real people.

34:49Adam Kempenaar:It tries to build that and oftentimes succeeds in the relationships between those characters, but not on the scale that a movie like this Spider-Man does. And the fact that you've got just this universe of characters, everything that's happening from a plot standpoint, from a story standpoint, from a thematic standpoint, all ties back to the characters and characters that you either care about or are really curious about. And they all have depth to them. I mean, yes, this is a movie about a teen-ish grappling with changes and grappling with responsibility and what it means to be a man. But he's also, at the end of the day, protecting the people he loves and the city he loves from a bad guy.

35:40Adam Kempenaar:And even that bad guy is someone that he has a personal connection to. So I think that heart is at the heart of what makes Spider-Man so good.

35:49Josh Larsen:So should we turn to your favorite, the getting to know his powers, getting to learn his powers sequence? Because for me, I think what this does, it sort of combines two of the great things about the movie. It's Raimi's skills as a filmmaker and Maguire's abilities as a performer for this part in particular. I talked about the camera work and how about the movement as Peter starts crawling up that brick wall in the alley, right? We're looking down at him and it kind of just slides alongside of him and then watches him. It's a perfect example of waiting for your moment and then really going for it and putting us in that experience.

36:33Josh Larsen:And then even when we get, you know, Spider-Man swinging around and it's a little more clumsy as it should be in these opening sequences. I'd like the patience Ramey has for widescreen compositions for a lot of the action. This isn't edited to death. Right. And you get a little bit of that here. I think you get more of it as Peter's more confident in his abilities. And we're just kind of taking in the skyline that he's swinging through without having to have it be chopped up in so many edits. So I like Raimi's camera work and filmmaking prowess here, but also Maguire. I mean, he, you know, is it just nostalgia that I think he's the best Spider-Man we have?

37:11Josh Larsen:I really like Tom Holland, you know, Andrew Garfield, those films just, they never quite worked for me. And as much as I like him as an actor, it didn't seem like the greatest fit. But Maguire here gets the nerdiness down, which I think is the most important quality for this character. I love his froggy smile when he doesn't open his mouth and it just kind of like starts spreading, but he's not going to fully commit because it's that little bit of insecurity that he brings. And going back to your pick, this enthusiasm he has for his powers, just the excitement he's expressing, the fun. How fun would it be to be Spider-Man?

37:49Josh Larsen:No one ever really thought it would be fun to be Batman when you were a kid. You know, it seemed maybe the TV show. Okay. Yeah. Utility belt. Pretty cool. But, you know, the comic Batman, the more intense, traumatized Batman, Spider-Man seemed like it would be great fun. And that's what McGuire taps into in this opening sequence or this early sequence, I should say.

38:11Adam Kempenaar:Yeah, for sure. I remember having that same feeling you described in the theater when I saw it in 2002. And I had a similar feeling watching it again. And I think it's for all the reasons that you express. I'll also say that it's another one of those scenes that gets back to the point about the DNA of what attracts us to superhero movies in the first place and what the best ones do and do well. It makes me think of Donner's Superman in particular and a younger Clark Kent discovering his powers and having some fun running along the train, kicking the football, doing some of those different things that he does.

38:52Adam Kempenaar:We see that here in the scene with Peter Parker and the montage. I'll get away from the scene a little bit, but it follows pretty quickly as he starts to accept his responsibility. That montage of him thwarting various crimes. That's something you see in Batman, too. You probably see in every superhero movie, at least every origin story to an extent. But here you've got that playfulness about it. As Sophie said, unlike watching the Batman movies, and she likes those Nolan movies, too. but it never feels like a drag. In fact, it feels really fun as you watch those scenes here. And I think this is the most fun scene in the film.

39:31Adam Kempenaar:And I think at its core, to go back to where we started, it's the scene that encapsulates everything that drew us to Spider-Man in the first place as kids. It is both the fantasy and the imagination part, the part where he gets to do things above and beyond his normal capabilities, but it also has him failing. It has him learning. It has him having to figure things out. And so that same part of us where, you know, you were climbing on the stairs a certain way, you probably fell, you know, you're climbing up the side of the stairs. Your mom told you not to, but you think you're being just like Spider-Man.

40:10Adam Kempenaar:What are you doing? Get down. Yeah. The first time you fall, just like he does here, right? But then you figure it out. And in your mind, you're Spider-Man. It's all there.

40:23Josh Larsen:It's so right. All right. So one more thing for sure I wanted to touch on. Just because there was so much talk about turning red, you know, and female adolescence and puberty. And are we really going to have a movie about menstruation? You know, a lot of people, including us, I think, appreciated that sort of honesty and that freshness. And other people were like, I can't believe this is happening in a movie for kids. I mean, this thing is a puberty parable. is pretty incredible, right? Uncle Ben mentioning very early on hormones, teenagers to Aunt May, Peter alone in his room, dealing with sticky substances.

41:00Josh Larsen:And it goes beyond the physical changes, right? It also marks the relationship, the relational changes that happen during those years are really sort of, and again, this is probably because I'm an older parent at this point, but how about the moment where he and Uncle Ben are, you know, they're clearly have a good connection here together. And Cliff Robertson is Uncle Ben, of course, wonderful performance. And, um, they, you're talking about painting when he comes home from school, we're going to paint, I think it's the kitchen or whatever, right? Sure thing. That is what the afternoon he get, he discovers his powers and goes on the exact sequence we were just talking about.

41:40Josh Larsen:That's the joy ride. That's taking out the car with your friends, forgetting what you promised the person in your life who your responsibility cares about you, who cares about you. Right. And to me, it was just like, oh, and then what do you get the little, the note about his supper is still, you know, no, like waiting for him to come home and screaming him out just to know your supper is still waiting for you. And you don't get the sense. It's like a guilt trip thing either. It's, they wanted to make sure he ate. So all of that, I think is tied into this as a puberty parable is just charting, you know, some nods to the physical changes, but also noticing the relational element as well.

42:17Yeah.

42:17Adam Kempenaar:Well, even the last thing he says to him, his rebuke is something you can imagine that he'd never probably said to him before and wouldn't have said to him prior. He's accepted him as his father his entire life. And yet post change, as he's dealing with this and post his transformation, now he's standing up to him, if you will, and saying, well, you're not my father and gets out of the car. So that that relationship element between the adults, between the parents in this case and the son is very much at play. I do think it's something that works about the film. I don't think it's a big shock either.

42:58Adam Kempenaar:If you recall, I think I think that Ramey deals with to go back turning red menstruation as a very dominant metaphor, all the blood that's happening in Evil Dead. He's playing with similar ideas in that film as he is here in Spider-Man. But you're right. The fact that that moment where he says, don't come in, I'm not dressed. And then he turns around and there's there's webs everywhere. I mean, that's that's hilarious. And the fact that he's he's generating these substances by himself, the verses. And of course, they talk about this in No Way Home. the fact that he can produce that substance on his own versus it being something that he has to actually manufacture.

43:45Adam Kempenaar:I do like that touch for all the reasons that you articulated. There's still a part of me, too, that kind of puts that in the funny camp factor of the film as well. Because as I alluded to earlier, he's 18 or something, right? Like he's about to graduate high school. Well. And they talk about him like he's 14. and just going through it.

44:08Josh Larsen:Well, we're definitely still in the era of like clearly 38-year-olds playing teenagers when it comes to like Flash in the bullying scenes.

44:16Adam Kempenaar:Yeah, Joe Manganiello.

44:18Josh Larsen:That's Joe Manganiello in his first ever screen performance. Wow. Unrecognizable. I did not catch that. Yeah, you're wondering if Flash is, is Flash like his classmate or is it Grandparents Day? Not quite sure. Exactly.

44:33Adam Kempenaar:Well, we obviously had fun with Spider-Man And if you have seen the film recently, it's available to rent on most platforms. You may also find a 2002 era DVD at your local library. We'd love to hear your thoughts. You can email us feedback at filmspotting.net.

44:57Adam Kempenaar:More Spider-Man talk coming on Friday with our top five Spider-Man scenes. we will have to wait in suspense to find out, Josh, whether or not any of those moments make your list. I can't wait.

45:12Josh Larsen:Just as long as I didn't say something the opposite. It's really got me worried now. Access to the Film Spotting Archive is just one of the benefits of joining the Film Spotting family. You also get bonus shows, weekly newsletter, early access to events and more to join, which you can do right now for 20 % off using the code SUMMER. go to filmspottingfamily.com.

45:34Adam Kempenaar:This conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.

46:02Adam Kempenaar:Here to share every moment with T-Mobile. Enjoy data roaming at no extra charge in 21 Latin American countries. Switch now on the T-Life app or T-Mobile.com slash connectate. Qualifying plan required not for extended international use. You must reach out in the U.S. and primary usage must occur in our network. Visit T-Mobile.com.

46:19Josh Larsen:Now more than ever, America needs a laugh. Enter the Super Troopers to the rescue. Vermont's finest and most shockingly offensive mustachioed highway patrol officers return to the big screen. in Super Troopers 3. With more pullover pranks and more over-the-top shenanigans than ever. In this latest installment of the cult comedy classic, Rod Farva's wildly over-the-top Indian engagement to Thorny's sister spirals out of control, a debaucherous bachelor party, a wedding that Thorny is desperate to stop, and a dangerous drug smuggling ring all threaten the troops' friendships and future. Fill your leader of cola, grab your buds, and roll up to the multiplex for Super Troopers 3.

46:58Josh Larsen:Only in theaters August 7th. Get tickets, meow. Okay, laundry stinks, literally. I mean, you could just keep buying new underwear. Not that I've ever done that. Or maybe sort your clothes into piles based on how re-wearable or filthy they are.

47:17Adam Kempenaar:Or just use Arm & Hammer Deep Clean. It's made for real-life stinks and stains. So even if you don't do laundry the, quote, right way,

47:26Josh Larsen:Deep Clean will knock it out. I mean, it is from the number one liquid detergent brand that tackles more loads than any other.

47:34Adam Kempenaar:Come clean with Arm & Hammer Deep Clean. Number one claim based on total wash loads sold.

47:39Josh Larsen:This episode is brought to you by Bobcat. They started the compact equipment industry through grit, determination, and a whole lot of, think we can't do that? Watch us. They set standards, broke records, empowered people to build bigger and higher, to dig deeper, to make the impossible possible. we've all been there with doubters telling us what we can't do who cares what they think we don't need their permission or forgiveness we just get things done so go ahead and doubt me judge me challenge me but when the time comes watch me bobcat

From the publisher

Back in 2022, Adam and Josh gave Sam Raimi's Spider-Man the 20th anniversary Sacred Cow treatment. 

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