Quote:
Originally Posted by SpikeDurden
I personally feel that this is simply examining the film on the surface, though. Yes, it is the origin story again, but in tone, texture, theme, and characterization it plays out quite differently and feels like a decidedly different take on the same material, at least to me. Throughout history the same stories have been re-told with different spins and by different artists, particularly in the comic book world. I'm sorry you didn't like it and you are entitled to your opinion, but I don't think it's fair to judge this film based on the criteria that it's "too similar" to another film. Furthermore, your comment about time makes no sense to me. If this exact same film were made in 20 or 30 years, it would be the same film it is now and thusly should be judged specifically for its own merits. I am a big proponent of the critical vacuum, which is to say that when viewing a film one should throw everything out the window and watch it with a clean slate and for only what it presents. As humans this can be difficult and it is rarely done, but I still attempt to strive for it. I guess we'll just have to disagree here, and again you are more than welcome to your own interpretation and opinion.
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I see what you are saying... but I just disagree (respectfully of course!) I didnt think the origin story was handled differently really at all
(very mild spoilers here)
Spider Man: Peter Wrestles, guy robs the bookie, after bookie was dick to Parker. Parker says "Not my problem" and lets thug take off... thug somehow runs into uncle ben, thug kills uncle ben.
Amazing SM: Peter is at a convenience store, guy robs the clerk after clerk was dick to parker. Parker says "Not my problem" and lets thug take off... thug somehow runs into uncle ben, thug kills uncle ben.
I get it.. origin story, stay true to the story.. BUT then, just dont do an origin story, or if need be, do a story that has parker already as Spider Man with flashbacks.. the story telling was very linear in it's exact sameness!
Ya.. a lot of stories have been retold and "Re-imagined" and all of that, but most of those were stories that had different version of those stories to tell. They have the same DNA but their execution is different. There are nods to the previous incarnations, but not an hours worth of the exact same thing we already saw!
My comment about time is this: Sometimes movies are remade to update it for a NEW generation. "Hey, Total Recall came out in the early 90's, I love that movie, but there is a new generation of film goers who pry have never heard of Total Recall, lets make a new one with some differences" ok, im game for that. Spider Man is still THIS generation. Kids today know Spider Man, they have seen SPider Man, they enjoyed Spider Man... so yes, if this movie was made 20 years from now, it is more forgiving, because they are making it for a new generation of film goers who don't know the old Spider Man movie!
I agree that all movies should be judged on what they are by themselves, hell, I am a HUGE Michael Bay fan because I dont compare them to anything other than what they are, big balls out action flicks, and I can enjoy them because of that. BUT when you reboot a franchise that is still fresh in the minds of everyone, comparisons will be made! I mean, they are rebooting a franchise whose initial movie ushered in the modern day Opening Weekend Box Office Record Breaking. First movie to ever open a weekend over 100 million, (116 Million), it was a massive success both commercially and critically, people still watch it, not just fan boys, just every day people still watch it. It didn't need a reboot, but I get why they did it (i get it, i dont agree with it) but in doing it, the first hour plays like Gus Van Sant's Psycho.. an almost shot for shot remake, it just felt lazy and uninspired to me. There are a million different ways to reinterpret that origin story while staying true to the comics, as well as a million different devices a film maker can use to freshen it all up to make it feel new.. the writers and director of this movie used none of those and just did the exact same thing that had already been done!
And the thing is, I LOVED (500) Days of Summer, I remember renting the movie the first time, and then going out the next day to buy it, i LOVED it that much.. the director is very capable.. but on this movie, it was just very lazy.
Now.. i will say that with this origin story out of the way, hopefully the second movie will be epic, because now perhaps they can play with more story devices and arcs that feel fresher.
Hopefully, but again, even the second half of the movie with The Lizard felt stale and done before!