So I rewatched Spider-Man 2 tonight

[sholio]

I still really like it! Though I don't remember Toby Maguire making me think quite this much of a concussed baby deer the last time around.

- "I accidentally fused myself with evil sentient octopus arms" is still one of the most hilarious villain origin stories I have ever seen.

- And yet somehow he manages to be incredibly sympathetic and tragic for all of that. Also still hot.

- I cannot believe the arms are not CGI but were actually built for the movie. They're incredible.

- I also really love how much of a presence the ordinary people in the city have. There are a bunch of very human little moments with various regular people, and also a recurring theme of people doing their best to save themselves. One of my favorite things along those lines was Spider-Man trying to rescue a toddler (like 2 or 3) from a fire, and when he falls through the fire-weakened floor and tosses her up to safety, she tries to help him back up with her tiny little haaaaands. ;____; MY HEART.

I don't anticipate being stolen away from my Falcon & Winter Soldier happy place by any future Spider-Man developments, but we shall see.

Comments

[hogwartstoalexandria]

Ooh, I've never actually seen the non-TH spideys but this sounds fun!

a concussed baby deer lmaooo.

The point about little human moments sounds like exactly what I'd want from a spider-man movie tbh! I'm tempted to binge all those movies before No Way Home but eh, we'll see if I can unglue myself from my new fandom home long enough for that lol.

[sholio]

If you do watch them, I really enjoyed that one! It's the one I remember liking the best ... in fact, I'm not even sure if I actually saw the sequel, though I know I watched the first two of the Raimi ones.

[lunabee34]

I haven't seen the Tobey Maguire movies in ages, but you are intriguing me. I liked them when they came out.

[sholio]

Yeah, I'm now tempted to rewatch all of them (actually I don't know if I ever saw the third one). Unfortunately they don't seem to be streaming anywhere, probably for rights reasons. I had to borrow this one on Amazon Prime.

[juniperphoenix]

I've never had much interest in Spider-Man, but I loved this movie. I should watch it again.

[sholio]

It's so much fun! I remember really loving it, and rewatching it, I can see why.

[pauraque]

I cannot believe the arms are not CGI but were actually built for the movie. They're incredible.

Right?? I remember in the DVD extras there was something where they talked about how each arm was controlled by a specific puppeteer who was consistent throughout the production, which they felt gave each one a distinct way of moving and "personality" that was subtly different from the others. ♥_♥

[sheron]

That's amazing!!

[sholio]

Oh, that's completely delightful! The way they move is so cool and fun to watch.

[scioscribe]

- I cannot believe the arms are not CGI but were actually built for the movie. They're incredible.

Practical effects/puppets/models/etc. really need to make a comeback. I love them so much, and they always either look more real or have so much more charm than CGI.

I need to rewatch this! I always loved the "ordinary New Yorker" bits in it. I'm getting emotional just thinking about it.

[sholio]

Practical effects/puppets/models/etc. really need to make a comeback. I love them so much, and they always either look more real or have so much more charm than CGI.

I really wish they would! I'm pretty sure that's one of the things that makes Mandalorian fun to watch - it's got a grittier, more hands-on feeling because so many of the effects are done with physical props instead of CGI.

They also age a lot better. CGI gets dated-looking really fast, but practical effects are still just as fresh and fun.

[ivyfic]

The Raimi Spider-Man films are very very much NYC immediately post-9/11. I moved to the city in 2003, and there was definitely a we're-in-this-together feeling then that is all over those films. One of the things I love about those movies.

[sholio]

Oh, that's really cool. I hadn't really thought of them as being a snapshot in time when I was watching, but you're right and that's really neat to know. It just gives such a strong sense of the city as a place, with real people living in it.

[silverflight8]

I don't anticipate being stolen away from my Falcon & Winter Soldier happy place by any future Spider-Man developments, but we shall see.

These are some LAST WORDS, man

[sholio]

Hahahahaha, I KNOW. I mean, it doesn't have the feeling of something that is going to sweep me away ... but I probably said that about my last 5 fandoms, too. XD

[silverflight8]

Watching you say this about Falcon & the Winter Soldier and Bucky and then watching your headlong fall into it (WHICH IS AWESOME) is...great :D :D

[sholio]

I have been REALLY enjoying my time in Falcon & Winter Soldier, so if I do fall into unexpected Spider-Man feels, hopefully it's this much fun. :D

[silverflight8]

:D!

/drags out all her Zemo icons again

[sholio]

ZEMO ICONS FOR THE WIN.

[sovay]

- I cannot believe the arms are not CGI but were actually built for the movie. They're incredible.

I remember loving Raimi's Spider-Man 2—it was effectively my introduction to Alfred Molina—and I appreciate the practical octopus arms even more now than I could in 2004.

[sholio]

Me too - with appreciating the effects more, and also my introduction to Alfred Molina, heh. Like scioscribe was saying above, hopefully practical effects will make a comeback.

[sovay]

Like scioscribe was saying above, hopefully practical effects will make a comeback.

I appreciate whenever I see a film or a show using them. It really does make a difference.

[aelfgyfu_mead]

I find Tobey Maguire very appealing,* and "concussed baby deer" didn't occur to me, but I totally see it.

I love the arms. I loved Doc Ock, and I was blown away that he will be in the new one! I wasn't going to see the new one, really, but then I saw the trailer, and, well, shoot. . . . Best SM movie villain ever.


* I have turned to Brilliant Husband and done "Let's adopt!" in the Mrs. Potato Head voice from Toy Story in reference to him, I'm pretty sure. (In reference to Elijah Wood repeatedly, ok?)

[lokifan]

- I also really love how much of a presence the ordinary people in the city have. There are a bunch of very human little moments with various regular people, and also a recurring theme of people doing their best to save themselves.

Right?? And on the train when they try to save him!

- "I accidentally fused myself with evil sentient octopus arms" is still one of the most hilarious villain origin stories I have ever seen.

- And yet somehow he manages to be incredibly sympathetic and tragic for all of that. Also still hot.

QFT.

I didn't know the arms were real but it makes sense, they're so good!