Poster Analysis - SPIDER-MAN

Poster Analysis - SPIDER-MAN

I can't keep requests waiting too long, so this time around I take a look at Spider-Man from 2002. Requested by bluedude I took a look back to one of my personal first superhero films I saw in the movie theater. How have the posters hold up since 2002? Click the link to find out!

Editorial Opinion
By TheArchivist - Nov 16, 2013 12:11 PM EST
Filed Under: Spider-Man

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Spider-Man
Poster Analysis

Introduction

Another suggestion? Did I run out of movies to talk about? No, there are so many movies I can talk about it would be difficult for me to never get around to any, but I am a man who hates to leave out the reason I am writing these, you dear reader. This time around I am giving bluedude a poster analysis for Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, which many say pushed the modern Comic Book movie blockbuster possibilities for Marvel comic adaptations. While we are slowly approaching the release for The Amazing Spider-Man 2’s first official trailer it seemed like a perfect time to take a look at the original franchise that started Sony’s success with the character. Being among some of the most famous comic book characters to date Spider-Man was special as he spoke to a specific crowd, the young teenagers who were trying to figure out what to do with their life. Imagine being a teenager who has to fight with everyday life and social interactions while also being a famous superhero. What do the posters reflect?

Analysis


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We never truly had a defining Spider-Man film until that time so there was no true vision on how the character would look. One would fear that the costume may simply look ridiculous if put on screen. What may seem as a small glimpse gave the entire film the feeling that it managed to finally make a leotard look realistic on screen. With just a small glimpse of the mask people would start believing what this movie could accomplish and later on truly did manage to prove. This poster does manage to say a bit more about what we are going to be able to see in this film with him sticking between the buildings shows that we actually get to see him websling across New York City. Not only is a dream coming true but proof that the CGI is getting closer and closer to making our favorite heroes appear on screen. Not too long in the distant future we got to see many truly come to life, but this was the defining moment to make that a reality.

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Well, a spider can crawl up a wall and we finally get to see Spider-Man do it himself. Trying to prove that this character doesn’t simply hold the name out of giggles by showing off his powers. Viewers that aren’t aware of the character would be interested on how he is managing to climb up the wall the way he is while comic book fans will see a classic posture for the character recreated in real life. Additionally, we finally get to see the entire suit in real life and it looks amazing. This is what everyone was hoping for to come to life. My only complaint is that it also uses the same tone from before while not using the backdrop of New York City to good use. The environment we get is a simple glass wall reflecting the morning light, but I have to confess I love the fact that it shows how high he had already climbed with the cars and other buildings look like ants in the distance.

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Our first good look at the villain of our film, the Green Goblin played by William DaFoe. If anyone has seen the original designs they might be confused on why exactly he looks like a man wearing green body armor. The glider is a classic staple for the character but normally he actually looks like a goblin. Naturally even though we can make the Spider-Man suit look realistic it might be much more difficult to do with the Goblin. Instead of having the actor wear an unrecognizable costume that would only stick out we get a green body armor and a mask that makes him look a bit more like a Goblin. It is a nice touch that they try to make a compromise with the design and still allow people to believe that this character is in fact the classic villain. Only noticing this strong trend with the summer morning in these posters.

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Yeah, this isn’t really the smartest design I have ever seen. Once again returning to something I talked about with a breathing room for the person staring at this poster. Extreme close-ups are rather counterproductive as they make it a bit awkward for the viewer while also just seeming lazy. The look is iconic but at least showing more off from the character or maybe even the environment. I think if they use this design they could have done something interesting by adding a reflection in his eyes to show him about to fight the goblin or he might be fighting something else. Maybe even just a helicopter showing what exactly he is aiming at and giving this a bit more dimension.

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Now we finally see a bit more from the city and how far in the sky he is swinging back and forth. Moreover, we get a nice classic stance for the character once again to bring in the comic book crowd once again. It is keeping with the chosen corporate design the environment still is tinted in this orange color and I think I finally understood the meaning behind it. It points out the dawn of a new beginning for not only the franchise but also this character. Not only that but also pointing out that this will have a slightly lighter tone to it maybe the perfect combination between the more serious elements while also keeping some softer elements to the franchise. The character is known for cracking a few one-liners and jokes here and there just to keep the mood up so who knows maybe it was a part of the marketing campaign to push that feeling into the lime light.

Conclusion

So overall these posters are okay. Love seeing Spider-Man coming to life on the screen and them pushing that fact to the general audience but what about the main character of the whole franchise, Peter Parker? His relationship with the people around him is significant to his story development so it confuses me that we are alluded of a poster that symbolizes exactly that. Maybe one that features him alongside Mary Jane and Aunt May to show the important people in his life. Maybe symbolize for whom he truly is working hard and a little tagline from the famous line “With great power comes great responsibility!”. It had so many elements to work with and seemed to take the easy route in the end. Can’t blame them as the success of the movie was just speculation at the time but it is a darn waste not to push these elements forward and make the movie also a little family-oriented to find an additional target audience for the film. Still, they do what they were made to do and can’t blame a company for sticking to what they think is profitable.

NEXT TIME:
D FOR DISTRACTION


So, what do you think? Have I missed anything? Discuss below! If I had missed any posters than don't hesistate and send them to my e-mail at [email protected] and maybe I'll get back to them in the near furture!

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NovaCorpsFan
NovaCorpsFan - 11/16/2013, 1:16 PM
I'm surprised there's no conspiracy theory surrounding the Twin Towers being reflected in Spidey's eyes.
ScottMontgomery
ScottMontgomery - 11/16/2013, 1:32 PM
Nice! These articles are awesome keep up the good work, you should do an article on your top ten favorite CBM posters
MrCBM56
MrCBM56 - 11/16/2013, 1:41 PM
Nova




There's many more, and at this point, it doesn't matter. America is corrupt. Good thing I live in Canada.
Lhornbk
Lhornbk - 11/16/2013, 2:15 PM
People actually request these? Really?
MrCBM56
MrCBM56 - 11/16/2013, 2:51 PM
Ciph

Haha yeah, I'm Canadian. Not too proud of it. we're America's hat.
CaptainAmerica31
CaptainAmerica31 - 11/16/2013, 3:11 PM
What's a Canada?
MrCBM56
MrCBM56 - 11/16/2013, 4:35 PM
Ciph

That's cool. I've only been to America. Is like to visit other places. And the Spider-man theme was [frick]ing fantastic. Forgot how great it was. Underrated.
MrCBM56
MrCBM56 - 11/16/2013, 4:36 PM
Fangz

Yeah, which part have you visited?
OcciferPing
OcciferPing - 11/17/2013, 1:14 AM
Awesome article. Your's are by far my favorite to read on here.
HOTSHOT
HOTSHOT - 11/17/2013, 5:58 AM
This movie rekindled my love for Superhero movies like the first 2 Donner Superman films. It's still the most accurate to the source material live action adaptation of the origin story and one of my personal favorites. This brought movie escapism to a whole new level and put CB flicks in the spotlight again.
TheArchivist
TheArchivist - 11/17/2013, 12:03 PM
Thanks everyone! Hope to bring you the next article soon!

@NovaCorpsFan: They did pull the trailers featuring the Twin Towers, was surprised they still used this one

@moviemaster1241: I might do a Top Ten in the near future!

thebearjew
thebearjew - 11/18/2013, 9:50 AM
thanks! @TheArchivist for taking my request

I love this film, it was such a HUGE DEAL at the time I remember going to see it in the theaters it was truly amazing!
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