A Very Strange Affair, Dr Strange That Is

Who but Sam Raimi could materialize Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's comic opera from the sixities?

The Problem with Gwen Stacy

Let it be said that Sam Raimi knows how to cast. I'd thought I'd start a blog primarily devoted to discussing and critiquing the the three Spider-man movies directed by Sam Raimi, and that have done mega business for Sony and the movie industry as a whole. And adding to the legion of useless opinion by adding, not my own two cents, but the CORRECT interpretation of the three Spiderman films. As I started off by say, Sam Raimi's cast is near impeccable beginning with the lead role of Spider-man himself, and the co-star Mary Jane Watson by Kirsten Dunst. The addition of Bryce Dallas Howard as Gwen Stacy, however, seems an interruption of his nearly perfect record. I have always believed the strength of Raimi's films lay in the characters and that primarily rested upon the performance of the actors. I think this is why the movies continue to strike the viewer as fresh as the actors continue to develop the characters and makes their roles their own. This makes casting such an essential part of Raimi's Spidey universe , a feat all the more impressive that the actors not only look the part but are great actors in and of themselves. That's a necessity in a movie where the characters drive the story.
The Women of Raimi's Movies
Beginning with Rosemary Harris' role as Aunt May, the women in Raimi's Spidey universe radiant with a grace and charm seldom seen in modern films. This is true even within the limited campiness of the films, and the obvious limited role of the comic book heroines that inhabit Peter Parker's world. Aunt May seems to be the kindly old aunt only found in films by Capra or a relic from a black and white world. The actress takes this rather limited stereotype of kindly old matron and turns it into something with real depth that has the ability to penetrate and add to the illusion of depth constructed by Raimi. Kirsten Dunst's role as Mary Jane Watson and her truly amazing ability to blend three Spidey mistresses need not be repeated here. Peter's neighbor interest girl next door impresses one as the ideal girl that obsesses over Peter. Do these girls inhabit Raimi's universe? One gets the impression that Raimi has at least come across these types. There is a certain artistry in the three films that relies heavily on the actor's ability to bring it to the fore. Otherwise, we're left with just another blockbuster of the Transformers variety with endless battles that go nowhere and little reason to care.
Gwen Gwen Come Forth
There were a number of problems I had with Spider-man three, not the least was its over preponderance of villains (what happened to the Green Goblin setup) squeezed into one film (Batman syndrome) and the lack of story to the Venom character. But one fatal flaw that stuck out to me was the cast of Gwen Stacy. Bryce Dallas Howard's Stacy seemed accurate enough to compare physically with Johnny Romita's Gwen Stacy. But it was the way she was pell mell introduced with limited lines that gave this Gwen a present less entrance that emitted All-American Bimbo, rather than Peter's Sweetheart, I least as I can recall by memory. I feel the role should be recast for the next film with a better actress as Howard's version of the gentle girl next door irritated as she screeched her way down a skyscraper with the indifference of an Alaskan salmon. My suggestion is Raimi ditch the actress for one with more capable of broadening the lead and able to make the character accessible and more empathetic, the way Romita made Stacy a heartthrob to millions of Spider-man obsessed fans in the sixties and seventies. There are plenty of actress up to the task, maybe not so facially accurate to Romita's drawings, but with more ability to pull it off. I think Scarlett Johansson would be excellent for the role and able to convey the delicate sex appeal inherent in Gwen's girl next door character. Another good choice would be Michelle Williams, certainly Dunst's equal in her uncanny ability to change characters and remain almost anonymous in her portray of the given role. Oh well, perhaps I dream. I just wish someone would tap Raimi that his Stacy isn't working and I really don't give a damn about some Bimbo wanting to supplant Mary Jane's role.
Overall Thumbs Up
I also want to say that despite its problems with storyline, overall I enjoyed Spiderman 3 and get the impression the public liked it too. The series has the feeling of barely being plumbed and I'm attributing this to the high level of quality acting and care with which the movie is put together. I think the last of the Spider-man films was overloaded with villains and lost story lines, and really missed an opportunity in developing the Green Goblin story faithfully portrayed by James Franco. I hope Raimi will resurrect the Goblin character, maybe through a few volts of Electro's Mind Melding Formula or some other handy concoction. I was reminiscing the other that the next major archenemy of Spider-man had to be the Kingpin. And that the whole Daredevil film version should be chucked and consigned to the netherworld of that character for what it is, an interesting and entertaining B version, but just that, a B version. Michael Clarke Duncan didn't strike me as sinister enough, and a bit of a putz, but that's another story, and one theme I hope to pick up in my next posting.

Excelsior and excellence, spider fans.