Spider-Man - 2002

“You’re out, Gobby. Out of your mind!”

While “X-Men” became a superhit in the 2000 (in the YEAR 2000!), the real onslaught of superhero movies began in 2002 with Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man,” a sometimes-silly-but-undeniably entertaining origin story about everyone’s favorite wall crawler.

Yes, that Green Goblin mask looked stupid in 2002, so much so that future iterations of the character rarely returned to the face covering (it’s pointedly out of commission early on in “No Way Home”). By oh my, what a spectacularly over-the-top performance by Willem Dafoe, playing two wildly different sides to OG baddie Norman Osborn.

Old Millennials Remember Movies hosts Tyler and Angela were just finishing up high school upon the release of “Spider-Man,” and one host gave the film a notoriously mixed review in print back in the day. Has his attitude changed, or is he still going on and on about the masterful “Spider-Man 2” and the presence of GOAT Spidey-villain, Doctor Octopus? DOC OCK!!!

The Old Millennials discuss early 2000s CGI, the tricky balancing act of origin stories, the joy J.K. Simmons brings to the screen in such a small role as J. Jonah Jameson, and the underrated charm of Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson. Plus, hey, isn’t that Octavia Spencer and Joe Mangia… Mangianellia…. that werewolf guy from “True Blood?”

Tyler and Angela also split on Tobey Maguire… is his aw-shucks performance as Peter Parker anything? They also question whether or not their 4-year-old is now permanently scarred by watching Willem Dafoe cackle like a murderous maniac.

Plus, hey, be warned, we totally spoil various elements of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” Look, it’s been out for months, and even the TV commercials for the Blu-ray keep showing the worst kept secret in Hollywood. We warned you!

Also discussed on this episode of Old Millennials Remember Movies

Turning Red (2022)
Death on the Nile (2022)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

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