Spider-Man (2002) Film Review

Spider-Man

It’s normal for teens to go through physical changes as they grow older. Just ask nerdy teen Peter Parker: he’s a smart bloke with a secret crush on Mary Jane “MJ” Watson. Peter has liked her since first grade. He is almost done with high school too.

However, an unexpected curveball upends Peter’s life. After getting bitten by a radioactive spider, he develops powers that will make your average teen grow green with envy. Peter is getting used to them just as scientist Norman Osborn adopts an evil persona: the Green Goblin.

Positive Elements: While many teen films focus on rebellion and “normalize” negative behavior, Spider-Man is a breath of fresh air. Peter Parker is a likable teen, often keeping his promises and being a true friend. After hurting a school bully, he apologizes and shows concern for the boy’s well being. Peter puts others' needs above his own, especially when it comes to MJ.

Uncle Ben has a tough talk with Peter, telling him “With great power comes great responsibility,” and “just be careful who you change into.” Uncle Ben and Aunt May love Peter and care for his well being. When Peter becomes Spider-Man, he saves several people who are in danger.

Peter’s friend Harry constantly sticks by his side and defends him from bullies. Harry has a rough relationship with his father Norman which delivers a negative example as to how fathers should not treat their kids. As Harry and MJ date, Peter respects their relationship.

MJ is a kind hearted soul who enjoys Peter’s company. She notices his integrity and doesn’t get caught up with the status quo. After MJ declares her love for Peter, he wisely leaves his feelings unspoken.

Norman Osborn is a complex character: he is obsessed with work and wants to keep his company afloat. He voices his love for Harry at one point. Becoming the Green Goblin puts a kink in things, and we notice his twisted perspective backfire on him. It goes to show no matter how strong you are, self-destructive choices are their own trap. Peter refuses to join the Green Goblin when the latter offers a warped partnership.

Spiritual Content: Uncle Ben quotes Genesis when screwing in a lightbulb. Aunt May recites the Lord’s prayer before being attacked by the Green Goblin. New York citizens hail Spider-Man as a savior.

Sexual Content: MJ wears a couple immodest outfits. A rain scene shows her wet dress clinging to her body. In the same scene, she plants a passionate upside down kiss on Spider-Man. Other female characters (including boxer ring girls) wear revealing outfits too. A hooker comments on Spider-Man, saying “A guy with eight hands. Sounds hot.” Another woman says “He has those tights and those tight little-” but is interrupted before finishing the sentence.

Harry tries to kiss MJ with no success. Peter and MJ kiss near the film’s end too. After Spider-Man drops MJ off at a church garden, a background couple is seen making out.

Violence: Norman is a laid back guy at first, but once becoming Green Goblin, he becomes unhinged. While testing a drug on himself, his body shakes violently. Norman then throws a colleague through the glass, killing him. Green Goblin attacks a festival, causing chaos in the midst. He and Spider-Man engage in multiple battles throughout the film.

Peter and a bully named Flash fight; Flash tries punching Peter to no avail, but the nerdy teen punches him in the stomach. Peter webs up several criminals and gets pummeled by a wrestler. He jumps across many buildings while getting used to his powers.

Green Goblin kills former co-workers on a balcony by reducing them to ashes. He terrorizes Aunt May, which sends her to the hospital. Peter’s Uncle Ben dies and Peter pursues the presumed killer. They trade punches before the guy trips over a pipe, leading to his death.

Green Goblin kidnaps MJ and destroys a trolley wire cable putting both her and the kids inside the trolley in serious peril. Spider-Man saves them both in the nick of time before Green Goblin thrusts him away. MJ is harassed by a group of thugs before Spider-Man comes to her rescue.

(Spoiler Warning): Norman tricks Spider-Man into helping him, but the ruse is intended to kill the latter. The plan backfires when the glider pierces Green Goblin instead, killing him. Spider-Man lays Norman down on a bed which Harry witnesses and misinterprets the situation.

Language: Several uses of a— and God’s name along with a small smattering of h—, p—ed, d—n, and two misuses of Jesus’ name.

Drugs/Alcohol: Characters drink alcoholic beverages in a few scenes. Jonah Jameson is frequently seen with a cigar in his mouth. As mentioned, Norman tests a drug on himself.

Other Negative Elements: Peter taunts a wrestler, saying “That’s a cute outfit. Did your husband give that to you?” He nearly kills his Uncle Ben’s presumed killer, but is spared the deed. Norman and Harry have a rocky relationship.

Conclusion: Spider-Man was released in 2002, but the nostalgia is real. Fans of the beloved web crawler still come back to the actor who started it all: Tobey Maguire. He does both Peter Parker and his alter ego justice to the comics.

The film contains some foul language and intense action violence. A few scenes might be too sensitive for some viewers, especially the aforementioned scene of men turning into ashes. Even Peter’s initial bad choices need some discussion as well.

But unlike teen films that normalize teen rebellion, Spider-Man has a different track. Peter Parker is a humble teen who takes responsibility for his actions and doesn’t shy away from self-sacrifice. He implores viewers to consider how their present choices affect the futures of everyone around them.

Luke 12:48 states “But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” When Peter becomes Spider-Man, he is entrusted with protecting New York City. It’s easy to shrink responsibility and blame others around us. But God calls us to be stewards of our time, money, etc.

With Norman Osborn/Green Goblin, there’s a powerful lesson in that too. Matthew 12:35 says “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” In other words, if your heart is set on God’s blessings, you will be content. But when your heart is focused on riches and more wealth, this mindset leads to discontentment. Norman is in the latter boat: by being consumed with keeping his company afloat, he deflects to destroying others.

Spider-Man isn’t without small caveats.

Nevertheless, the film is a joyful breath of fresh

air in today’s society. Teens and adults tired of

agenda-pushing films should give this one a try

and hopefully discuss the themes with others in

their lives. Spider-Man is, without a doubt,

worth the watch.