Lizard Real Identity: Dr. Curt Connors The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) Characteristics and Powers: Curt Connors researches regeneration, which is the process by which animals regrow their limbs. Specifically, lizards. But after pressure from the top for “results”, he tests the product on himself. It works, but has the added side effect of changing him into a giant lizard-man who looks a little like the goombas from Super Mario Brothers if they were properly proportioned. In addition to the superbeing standards, his body regenerates. Chopping off a limb isn’t going to do much good, although Spider-Man doesn’t use blades, so it doesn’t come up much. Relationship to the Hero(es): Spider-Man always…
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Analyzing the Marvel Cinematic Universe Villains: New Goblin & Sandman & Venom (Spider-Man 3)
NEW GOBLIN & SANDMAN & VENOM Real Identities: Harry Osborn & Flint Marko & Eddie Brock Spider-Man 3 (2007) Like I always say, when movies fail, the story is at the root of the problem. Not actors, not directors, not sound design, not costuming. Those can all make a movie not as good as it could be, but they don’t bring it down to a 66% meta rating after the previous had 93% and 90%. The big failing of Spider-Man 3 wasn’t the silly dancing or questionable effects, but trying to cram in too much plot (it’s frickin’ 140 min). Not only is there too much relationship drama, there are…
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Analyzing the Marvel Cinematic Universe Villains: Doctor Octopus (Spider-Man 2)
DOCTOR OCTOPUS Real Identity: Otto Octavius Spider-Man 2 (2004) Doctor Octopus, as played by Alfred Molina, is probably one of the best sympathetic villains portrayed in film. So good they brought him back for a significant role in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Ock fits all the criteria–he’s a surrogate father for Peter, matches him on intellect, and has a way to counter any one of Spider-Man’s attacks. The only way these two wouldn’t go into business together was if one of them went insane. Characteristics and Powers: Otto Octavius is a brilliant scientist and another role model for Peter Parker, showing him what he could have if he wasn’t a…
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Analyzing the Marvel Cinematic Universe Villains: Green Goblin (Spider-Man)
GREEN GOBLIN Real Identity: Norman Osborn Spider-Man (2002) There wouldn’t be an MCU without the one-two punch of X-Men and Spider-Man (2002). Green Goblin may not be the best villain. Heck, he may not be the best in the Spider-Man universe. But you remember him. Characteristics and Powers: Green Goblin makes a memorable villain because of an over-the-top performance by Willem Dafoe. But that’s what makes him so scary, because he can go from calm/rational to unhinged in a second. And you believe you are under threat because you don’t know what he’s going to do. Unfortunately, it’s not the greatest costume or powers. I don’t know about his comic…
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Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man Will Become Superman (1978)
Time will not be kind to Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. I have come to this realization. Its the Marvel equivalent of Christopher Reeve’s Superman. It lit the fuse for superhero movies, but hasn’t nearly the explosive power its successors will (X-Men, Iron Man, etc.). The movies were a well-loved phenomenom now, but the trilogy is finished. And a reboot is months away, only ten years after the first. Why? I hardly need to say much that hasn’t already been said. Sure, they’re good movies. Sometimes great. Good casting. Well imagined. Fun special effects. And far be it from me to disrespect anything with Bruce Campbell in it. But Sam Raimi is…
