Spider-Man and Forgiveness
Kyle posted his review of Spider-Man 3. His part about Sandman struck me as worthy of a response:
The odd man out was Sandman, as I suspected he would be. The real problem with Sandman’s inclusion in the film was that he was simply not a popular enough villain to warrant his role in the highly anticipated third installment of the series. Spider-Man had too many more arch-nemeses (Vulture, Electro, Venom, Mysterio, the numerous Goblins) in the comics, and Sandman wasn’t really one that a lot of fans were clamoring to see. If they were continuing the series, his inclusion would have been appropriate maybe for the fourth or even the fifth movie.
They even had to retcon a lot of the Sandman’s past to convince moviegoers that he was a key player in Spider-Man’s life… and the truth is, he really wasn’t. In the comics, Marko did NOT kill Ben Parker. Ben’s murder happened pretty much the way that the first movie had explained it, but they had to change all that so that they could write a dramatic encounter between Spidey and his uncle’s REAL killer. And, in the end, Peter forgives Sandman, just so they can again up the drama, showing the moment where Peter is in effect forgiving himself for being such an emo dick, and giving Sandman permission to forgive himself for murdering Peter’s uncle only because he did it out of desperation so he could save his dying daughter’s life.
Herein lies the paradox. The whole reason that Spider-Man became a hero in the first frickin’ place was because of his uncle’s murder! If he forgives his uncle’s really-real killer, and what more, lets him get away, does Parker have motivation to web sling anymore? If this is truly the end of the series (and if this movie gives me any indication of the future quality of the franchise, I certainly hope so), then the movie should have ended with Peter hanging up the red and blue tights for good. If not, and they do make another one, then there will simply be no reason for me to understand why Spider-Man continues to fight crime.
I really, really liked the Sandman storyline. Yes the retcon was a bit of a disgrace, but it was worth it in the end when he was given the opportunity to forgive. The theme of forgiveness running through this movie I thought was spectacular. You never see such ideas touched in action movies, usually it is just about vanquishing the bad guy and seeking revenge. SM3 addressed the idea of revenge and forgiveness and I was quite impressed by it. Harry forgives Peter, Peter forgives Mary Jane, Mary Jane forgives Peter, Peter forgives Marko, and ultimately Peter forgives himself. The only character who doesn’t forgive is Venom and he is destroyed because of it.
I don’t think it undercuts the “With great power comes great responsibility” motto from the story either, instead I think it strengthens it. Spider-man wasn’t driven by revenge or vengeance. That is what drove Batman. He did wrestle with it at times, and the movie used the symbiote as a vehicle for showing that conflict, but ultimately forgiveness won - as it should.
Spider-man was always driven more by guilt than vengeance. Batman’s parent’s were killed when he was a kid and he was powerless to stop it. So he doesn’t feel guilt, he feels anger. This drove him to seek out power and take revenge. Spider-man on the other hand already had power and used it selfishly and irresponsibly when he had the opportunity to save his uncle. So he is guilty and feels responsible for his death.
Forgiveness frees him from the poison of vengeance, it does not free him from guilt or responsibility. He still has the power to help people, so if he chooses not to use that power then he is just as negligent now as he was when his uncle was killed.
Forgiveness is the only true path to peace. Revenge leads to an endless spiral of violence to which there is no end except in forgiveness. Look at all the ongoing conflicts in the world. Group A kills group B, group B seeks revenge, group A gets revenge for that, and so on. It never ends. Forgiveness is not only the only practical path to peace, it is the sign of a higher moral character. Look at Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa. They could have sought retribution for the crimes committed against their people over decades of white-rule apartheid, but instead they sought truth and reconciliation. The country is stronger because of it. Gandhi and Pope John Paul II both forgave their assassins (or attempted assassin in the case of John Paul II). So having Peter forgive his uncle’s killer shows his moral strength.
Finally, I don’t think Sandman was a minor figure in Spidey’s rogue’s gallery either. I definitely say he is far bigger than Vulture, Electro, Mysterio and others. I for one was definitely clamoring to see him, as Sandman was always one of my favorite villains.
Personally I think they should have just held off on Venom for the next movie. Unless of course they just wanted to wrap up all story lines in this movie in fear there may not be a fourth. Which would be pretty lame. With Superman and Batman as examples, comic book franchises don’t die. If there is enough material there they will certainly be picked up sometime in the future. So Raimi should have left some unfinished plotlines (i.e. Brock/Venom) for SM4 whether he was at the helm or not. Maybe then they could have brought in a director who actually liked Venom.
Anyhow, that’s my thoughts on the matter. I really liked Spider-man 3.
Happy birthday btw, Kyle. 