Known for his bold storytelling and unwavering vision, Martin Scorsese is a prominent figure of the New Hollywood era who has never been afraid to voice his opinions. The Grammy Award-winning filmmaker, 81, has expressed reservations about the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), raising concerns about the eligibility of films that are based on comic book characters.
Well, remember his famous claim that superhero flicks are more like theme park rides than real-deal cinematic productions? It was a statement that both industry insiders and a significant portion of Marvel fans took offense to. However, when Scorsese speaks, listeners should usually take note of what this exceptionally intelligent man has to say.
But one superhero movie has been praised by the esteemed director, and it is not Christopher Nolan’s classic The Dark Knight; rather, it is Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man (2002 flick).
The Cinematic Brilliance of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man (through Martin Scorsese’s Lens)
Around the same time that he responded to an interview regarding the MCU, Martin Scorsese wrote an opinion piece for The New York Times in November 2019 titled ‘I Said Marvel Movies Are Not Cinema’. Note that this piece went viral.
In the piece, the director meticulously examined his own words from a variety of perspectives and went into more depth about the elements he believes are absent from the MCU. Check out this amazing and enlightening piece of writing if you have not already. In fact, even comic book writer, actor, and podcaster Kevin Smith shared his thoughts on the subject (see CBR).
Although Scorsese has seen other Marvel movies, he is not a fan of the Marvel universe. However, he does have a real admiration for one particular flick, and it is perhaps the only Marvel project that he enjoyed.
Speaking of Sam Raimi’s highly regarded Spider-Man, Scorsese expressed his happiness and pleasant surprise at the success of the 2002 flick. He said (via YouTube):
“Spider-Man films– Sam Raimi’s films I like actually. And I’m really glad that was a big success. But it widens the gap.”
Raimi, meanwhile, stated in a Rolling Stone interview that, given the chance, he would love to return to the Spider-Man franchise with a fourth movie.
“My love for the characters hasn’t diminished one iota. It would be the same things that would stop me now that stopped me then: ‘Does Tobey want to do it? Is there an emotional arc for him? Is there a great conflict for this character?.. There’s a lot of questions that would have to be answered. If those could be answered, then I’d love to.”
The two sequels to the film, Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man 3 (2007), came out after its box office success. Later, Tobey Maguire and Willem Dafoe returned to their roles in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film that connected the Raimi trilogy to the MCU and explored the idea of the multiverse.
Martin Scorsese’s Views On Spider-Man Flick: Fans Reactions
Martin Scorsese’s remarks regarding superhero flicks have generated a lot of debate over the past years. When he famously declared (via Empire) that Marvel films are not cinema and dismissed them as nothing more than “theme parks” rides instead of works of art, many fans were incensed. However, his revelation about Spider-Man’s success indicates that there may be more to the story than meets the eye.
The ground-breaking movie Spider-Man, which came out almost 20 years ago, established the bar for contemporary superhero movies. With Tobey Maguire playing the title webslinger, the movie was a commercial and critical hit, taking in over $800 million globally and bringing home two Academy Award nominations.
Superhero fans have defended the genre for years, saying that these movies can have the same impact and significance as any others. It appears that Scorsese concurs as well. Fans are totally convinced; check out their views:
Turns out scorsese don't hate superhero movies, just the garbage ones
— PriestlyBlock67 (@Danielandperiod) March 26, 2024
It stood the test of time, like much of Scorsese's work.
— Joe Soon (@JoeSoon08) March 25, 2024
Scorcese after watching Spider-Man: pic.twitter.com/57QN9oiWpV
— mariane (@santosmariane27) March 25, 2024
Scorsese is so real for this. He knows the good superhero films
— Sam (@samk0006) March 25, 2024
Spiderman 1 is a completely different type of superhero movie when compared to today's. It's cinema. It has a memberable score to it.
— Nick🎃 (@np_caswell88) March 25, 2024
And fans couldn’t agree more. Filmmakers should make an effort to make meaningful and substantial films now more than ever, as superhero flicks rule the box office. Rather than churning out mindless blockbusters, the MCU ought to be pushing the boundaries of what can be done in the superhero genre.
Both Spider-Man and The Dark Knight are streaming on Disney Plus.
