I promised myself that my movie reviews would follow that Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in some form of logical sequence. After rewatching the Toby Maguire trilogy, plans unfortunately had to pivot.

For years I had argued that this was the greatest form of my favourite superhero — how wrong I was…

Plot

After the events of the ‘Spider-Man (2002)’, our friendly neighbourhood spider, Peter Parker, had continued his war against crime throughout New York City.

Peter’s fierce battle with the Green Goblin, AKA Norman Osborn, haunted Harry Osborn’s (James Franco) present-day activities as he swore to avenge his fathers death.

Modern times were hardly a cake walk for Peter, as his dual identity was pulling his personal life to shreds. Keeping up with his college work, making time for his friends, attending the Broadway shows of Mary-Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), and finding the resources to simply pay his rent were all becoming impossible tasks due to his newfound responsibility.

Inevitably, the pressures of Spider-Man’s life became overbearing, causing him to unwillingly psychologically suppress his powers, leaving him to choose between the hero he is and the person he wanted to be. Our favourite web-slinger chose the latter.

During this destiny-altering decision, Peter’s idol Dr. Otto. Octavius (Alfred Molina) continued with his failed quest to use Oscorp’s tridium to harness the power of the sun, after both Spider-Man and Harry had witnessed this experiment almost destroy the entire city due to a malfunction.

Peter persisted in turning a blind eye to crime, steadying his life in the process. However, conversations with Aunt May and a young boy from across the street proved to be enough to alter his final decision and put him back on the famous red and blue costume that had established him as a beloved superhero in the eyes of many.

With Doc Ock’s plan swiftly coming to fruition, the evil genius concocts a deal with Harry Osborn to capture Spider-Man alive so the owner of Oscorp can finally reveal the true identity of the man he believes to have killed his father, Norman.

MJ falls victim to the plan as Otto kidnaps Parker’s on/off lover as collateral for a meeting with Spider-Man. Peter has no choice but to pull on the mask once again to save the woman he loves from the cold, metal grasp of his enemy.

This masterplan proves to be successful as Dr. Octavius manages to contain Peter and take him to his suitor. Eventually, Spider-Man is unmasked, leaving Harry breathless with shock.

Peter escapes, and his final showdown with his newest arch-nemesis ensues.

Intriguing story, poor execution

Alfred Molina puts in a sensational performance as Dr Octavius, and Tobey Maguire continued to show exactly why he was selected to be Spider-Man. The actors were not to blame for my change of heart in this once beloved movie, but the poor execution of a fantastic story was.

Everything in this movie was set up to be a masterclass. Personal crisis for Spider-Man as he balances reality and heroism, a villain whose overeagerness to make the new groundbreaking discovery corrupts him, and a continued fight to be with the woman he loves.

For one, this personal crisis of course makes sense. However, what does not make sense is how a genetically modified spider suddenly loses its powers because of a psychological problem. Understandably, when humans have their struggles, it tends to cloud judgment and can send us into a spiral. To say that this would undo physiological mutations is unfathomable in my mind.

Secondly, a common theme in an abundance of superhero movies is having a wicked villain who has the potential to destroy an entire city, yet struggles to show the true power they wield by concluding the movie with them having a change of attitude instead of a spectacular action sequence. It is lazy. It is cheap. It is predictable. We need better.

In what world, Sam Raimi — who has proven to be a wonderful director — decided Dr. Octavius could be talked down by Spider-Man because of a prior statement the antagonist made is an awful decision. After showing a neurological link to the villain’s brain had been destroyed, how would a few measly words change the direction of Otto’s thinking?

Finally, this entire trilogy did Kirsten Dunst no favours at all. Mary-Jane Watson has to be one of the most unlikeable, selfish, and oblivious love interests in the world of Marvel. Her lack of empathy throughout the movie, while her supposed friend is having mental struggles, is frustrating.

Despite being happily engaged, MJ continually pulls Peter along like a puppy on a string as a second option in case her indecisive mentality strikes once again. To make matters worse, she makes the decision to continue with her marriage, leaving Peter alone, until she realizes he is more than just the boy next door; he is Spider-Man. A hero whose life poses danger and risk at every corner.

Mary-Jane is supposed to be portrayed as a feisty redhead who keeps Peter on his toes, but ultimately loves him. This movie does a wonderful job at showing this is not the case and that she loves his persona, not the actual person he is.

Rating: 5/10

This is far from a disasterclass but this does not mean it was not poorly executed. If you asked me one week ago what I thought of this movie, I would have told you it is a modern classic that ages like a fine wine. My perception has dramatically changed.

In terms of the way scenes were filmed, the CGI that was on display, and the lighting to display when Spider-Man was having darker moments in this movie, this was all fantastic, especially for a title created in 2004.

My issue comes with the storytelling. As I rewatched this hit, I continued to raise an eyebrow between important moments in the movie.

Does personal conflict really alter genetic mutations? I would assume not.

Should I really find myself disliking Spider-Man’s true love? I do not believe I should.

Why has the genius antagonist of this entire movie suddenly had a change of heart due to a few choice words by his younger counterpart? This is a Marvel movie with arguably one of the most robust heroes in the entire universe, but we opt to end this one with a verbal discussion.

I cannot tell you how much I wanted to love this movie. This trilogy is what established me as a Marvel fanatic. A person who refuses to miss an opening screening to a world that provides an escapism from the modern-day political issues of the world.

Nevertheless, I came away from this viewing feeling flat, disappointed, and with a totally different perception of which Spider-Man movies did the greatest job of depicting my favourite ever superhero.