Sam Raimi’sSpider-Mantrilogy is one of the most belovedtrilogies in superhero filmhistory. Setting the precedent for the comic book adaptations that came after it,Raimi’s eclectic visionbrought new light to the genre and solidified its role in helping superhero films reach critically acclaimed levels. Though the majority of the trilogy is extremely well-crafted and engaging, there are still some small mistakes that managed to slip by the crew.
Even with these mistakes, the trilogy absolutely withstands time, with its influence still being felt across the comic book adaptation genre, including Tobey Maguire’s role inSpider-Man: No Way Home. The trilogy’s cult following cannot be understated, which is why it’s so important to recognize the charming mistakes and moments even some die-hard fans may not have noticed.
9The Fight With Flash
Spider-Man (2002)
The firstSpider-Manfilm is a classic in the comic-book hero genre, an incredible example ofpractical effects working with CGI, and a film with one of the most convincing villain performances in theSpider-Manfranchise. Sam Raimi’s introduction set the tone for arguably the wholeSpider-Manfranchise beyond just the director’s own trilogy. The beloved trilogy still stands even with modern interpretations and effects. However, this doesn’t exclude the first film from having a series of goofs and mistakes.
Spider-Man
During Peter Parker’s confrontation with Flash in the school hallway, a dense crowd of students forms around them, seemingly locking the pair in. With the crowd completely surrounding them, suddenly the shot cuts to an over-the-shoulder view of the fight sequence, and the students are now divided into two perfect lines. By cutting to this shot, the film reveals a large gap made by the students instantly that would let Flash be kicked by Spider-Man and slide along the floor.
With no transition shot, the scene sticks out as the crowd basically “prepares” for the action shot. In extreme circumstances, this inevitably spoils the winning and most impressive move Peter Parker uses on Flash, spoiling the full extent of Peter Parker’s combat strength at the beginning of his transition into Spider-Man.
8Aunt May Checks on Peter
While Peter Parker experiments in his room with his powers after being bitten by an escaped spider, Peter ends up breaking and slinging multiple objects in his bedroom, including a lamp that sits by his door. Due to the loud ruckus he had just caused, Aunt May went to his bedroom door to check on Peter.
When Peter shuts the door after this interaction, webs suddenly appear to be strung across the room, which would’ve been painfully obvious to Aunt May if the webs were correctly there in the previous shot. Along with this, the lamp that had just been thrown and broken by Peter Parker’s web-slinging is now sitting neatly back by his bedroom door, unbroken.
7Newspaper Close-up
After the underground, amateur wrestling ring that Peter Parker fought in is robbed and prevented by Spider-Man, J. Jonah Jameson’s newspaper headline reads that, of course. Except underneath the headline, is a vague and repeated quote and paragraph. No one expects a fully-thought out article in a fake newspaper, but it might be the bare minimum to include a decent article when it is the full focus of the shot, and it is in the same sizable font as the headline.
6Where Is the Web Attached?
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Avoiding the stereotypical sequel pitfalls,Spider-Man 2manages to be on par withSpider-Man. The audience follows Peter Parker further into his journey of controlling and using his powers responsibly and for good. Like the first film,Spider-Man 2is carried by an incredible cast, including Alfred Molina’s charged performance of Otto Octavius. Again, the film’s charm is only greater with the added mistakes that come with such an action-packed film.
Spider-Man 2
InSpider-Man 2, Doc Ock is seen scaling a clock tower during a fight with Spider-Man. With no other skyscrapers as tall as the clock tower in the shot, Peter Parker’s web seems to be attached to nothing other than the sky as he swings towards Doc Ock to fight him. Though this isn’t a major issue, as this happens across all the Spider-Man movies and games, nonetheless, it still creates a pretty obvious and laughable moment for fans.
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5The Elevated Train
Set in New York City, New York, theSpider-Mantrilogy features a series of iconic New York landmarks. Additionally, east coast slang occasionally brings more life to the films and gives a nod to Spider-Man’s roots as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. In reality, the films were shot across LA, New York, and Chicago.
Regardless of the effort, one of the main scenes inSpider-Man 2features Peter Parker attempting to save a runaway train while fighting Doc Ock. The scene is a great testament to Spider-Man’s growing selflessness, but the elevated train is unfortunately featured in an elevated-trainless city. Though not obvious, it still sticks out, especially if the viewer is familiar with New York City.
4The Flipped Taxi
In the scene, Doc Ock is looking for Peter Parker, while simultaneously wreaking havoc on the city. Otto Octavious flips over a taxi onto an empty spot on the road. However, the shot cuts to a close-up, where suddenly the taxi crashes into another taxi. Though this was done to show off the action of the film and its practical effects, it is still a clear goof as the road was considerably empty before the close-up.
3The Ripped Spider-Man Suit
During the famous scene where Peter Parker saves the runaway train from veering off its tracks and plummeting into the city below,Spider-Man’s costumeis clearly ripped and messy from the pressure of holding back the train as Peter desperately tries to stop it. The next shot shows the suit’s arm rips completely disappear.
The rips in the suit are inconsistent as the camera jumps between angles of him trying to stop a speeding train. This can briefly pull viewers out of the intensity of the moment, as the supernatural strength required to hold back the train suddenly looks just a little less traumatic than it did just seconds before.
2How Well Did Norman Osborn Know Peter Parker?
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
The final installment of Sam Raimi’s trilogy is by far the most controversial. With a much less focused plot, strange character decisions and paths, and poorer effects, this film stands out as a slightly disappointing ending to the trilogy. The one thingSpider-Man 3has in common with the other films, however, is the abundance of little mistakes it still has.
Spider-Man 3
InSpider-Man, Norman Osborn is introduced to Peter Parker for the first time as Harry’s friend. Later on in the same film, Norman says he was like a father to Peter, which is a little weird considering they only met within the span of a year. But in the third film, when Harry has amnesia, Harry Osborn implies that him and Peter have been hanging out in the Osborn house ever since they were kids.
Maybe Harry’s father was never around when the pair hung out, but this seems very unlikely. Even if it is a throwaway line meant to be sentimental, it still brings up some confusion over how well Norman Osborn actually knew Peter Parker.
1A Clothed Eddie
InSpider-Man 3, during thepivotal fight of the filmresulting in Harry’s demise against the symbiote, Mary Jane Watson throws a brick at a bare-backed Venom, or Eddie. Later on in the sequence, when Spider-Man attempts to save Eddie, Eddie’s back is suddenly clothed again.
Though not extremely obvious, it is still a notable lapse in costume continuity. Like the suit mistake inSpider-Man 2, it can cause injuries to look less intense when costume mistakes like this are made in fight scenes.
