听 With great power comes great responsibility, and nobody knows that better than director Sam Raimi, who dared take on a revered comic book. Fortunately Spider-Man was "a stylish, exciting, and ingenious thrill-ride" that fast became the box office sensation of 2002. The subsequent Special Edition DVD was also a big hit, but with Spider-Man 2 just around the corner, the folks at Columbia have come up with a new money-spinner: re-releasing the brilliant Special Edition package with added extras, including a preview of said sequel.
Spinning A New Web
Happily, the teaser trailer featured here isn't the only taste you'll get of Spider-Man 2. There's also an enticing poke around behind-the-scenes, warmly introduced by producers Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin. Exclusive snippets include the sight of Alfred Molina as Dr Octopus, tentacles flailing with villainous abandon - although his doughy physique means he actually looks more like a jellyfish.
You'll also get to hear from Molina, Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and director Raimi. Individually they outline the concept for this second instalment, in essence an exploration of how Peter Parker weighs his (ahem) "personal needs" against his commitment to superhero derring-do.
Twice Is Nice, But Thrice Is... Nicer
Jammed with a multitude of entertaining and revealing extras, the Special Edition was hard to beat, but with an added third disc, it's nigh on impossible. Seven new featurettes take you behind-the-scenes of the original movie with yet greater attention to detail. Even the on-set spider wrangler gets a platform to talk about the factors involved in choosing just the right spider for a particular scene. The mission statement stitched to his baseball cap ("Bugs Are My Business"!) endearingly sums up how passionately he feels for the job. Infectious.
Gobby Goblin
However, the best of the batch are a comprehensive look at set designs and an up-close inspection of The Goblin's Arsenal. You'll find out why Raimi opted for a realistic New York City backdrop - as opposed to a candy-coloured world - and how the city's existing architecture was used to surreal effect in the web-swinging scenes.
In Goblin's Arsenal, Willem Dafoe also explains the secret to staying atop the glider: "The trick is not to fall off." But his dry quips belie what is a comprehensive nuts-and-bolts look at how the glider was developed, and the wirework involved to keep him from falling on his (already flat) face.
If you loved the movie, and haven't already purchased the Special Edition, then Spider-Man Deluxe is a must-have. Simply put, it's the ultimate spin.
DISC THREE EXTRA FEATURES
The Spider-Man Deluxe Edition DVD is out to buy in the UK on Wednesday 19th May 2004.
