Successful franchises need to make us care about the characters in the films. Sam Raimi managed to do this incredibly well; by this film Peter and Mary Jane had drifted together, and Harry Osborn was becoming increasingly hostile. Audiences had already invested quite a lot in these characters, and this film continued to deepen them. Eddie Brock was introduced in this film, and it was crystal clear that he was a young and hungry photojournalist whose career had been devastated by Peters anger. Likewise, it is hard not to empathise with the dire situation that Flint Marko finds himself in, unable to pay for the care of his ill daughter he turned to a life of crime. By developing characters the film taught a moral lesson about humility; Peter grew complacent with his powers and success, putting on a show celebrating Spider-Mans popularity. After he nearly loses Mary Jane, he realises what is important in his life, discovering that humility is an integral trait for all of us. The fact that characters were constantly developed in this franchise meant that audiences were emotionally invested in the films, giving the finale a sense of importance which is rarely seen in films these days.
A 21 year old History graduate looking for someone to listen to his ramblings. Lover of comic books, movies and all other superhero related things. Published in The Independent, always looking for interesting things to write about...Follow me on Twitter at @samclements1993, and check out my blog: http://samuelclements.wordpress.com/
