Spider-Man: Promoting Vigilantism

[Evariste]

The Spider-Man films have been a successful part of Hollywood since ripe old 2001. Directed by Sam Raimi, and starring Kirsten Dunst opposite Tobey Maguire, these enjoyable movies only seem to get better with each installment, the next set for release sometime in 2007. But is there a hidden message behind these seemingly innocuous films? Do they exist to not only entertain, but propagandize? Sadly, they do. Liberal Hollywood has snuck another one under our noses, people, and you shouldn't stand for it.

In Spider-Man, lovable loser Peter Parker can never get a break. That is, until he gets bitten by a genetically-altered super-spider that somehow bequeaths to him its inherent abilities. The next day he discovers that he can travel through the city by swinging webs, can climb walls, can sense danger before it happens, and super strength. Does he use his powers for good? No! Instead of immediately enlisting with the New York Police Department to augment their potential and legally fight crime, he forsakes the boys in blue and goes of on a rampage of vigilantism.

Spider-Man frequently acts as if he is above the law. He destroys property and disturbs the peace in the name of justice. The worst part is that the citizens of New York actually cheer him on! Spider-man is seen as a hero while the true heroes, the police, are seen as, at best, ineffectual, and at worst, incompetent.

What kind of an example are we setting for our children, who are so impressionable, and can easily fall prey to the siren song of a spandexed "superhero?" Why are these lawless anarchists idolized, while the real heroes, America's Policemen and firefighters, go unnoticed?

For shame, Spider-Man. Vigilantism only leads to destruction.

[Søren]

Spiderman tends to act within the limits of the rights of an American citizen to a) defend him/herself b) others from people involved in illegal actions considered i) dangerous to others or ii) unlawful theft e.t.c.

On the other hand, I'm open to correction on this as I have never read anything about Spiderman and only watched the Spiderman 2 film which frankly was utterly tedious.

p.s. you made this one a little too obvious

[Somethindarker]

hm. i never saw it that way. interesting. but don't you think being a superhero is ooh so cool. and c;mon spiderman looks really sexy in those tights.

[Garbarsardar]

I always thought Spider-man is promoting homosexuality and sadomazochism with all the tights and the mask thing...but this is another welcomed perspective.

[fatsheep]

I concur, interesting perspective although I don't think spider man and other heros have a very large effect on someones view of the police and firefighters after they mature and see the world from a realistic standpoint. Sure when they are little they want to be a superhero but they will grow out of it and wake up in the real world when they get older me thinks... However, nonetheless an interesting and unique perspective. We could use more of them.

[Tony83]

I always thought Spider-man is promoting homosexuality and sadomazochism with all the tights and the mask thing...but this is another welcomed perspective.

Dammit, we've been rumbled! First X-Men and now Spiderman. How did you figure out it was us gay-bois behind all the American super heros? The crime fighting bit is just a front to give us the excuse to go around showing off our buff bodies in figure hugging spandex outfits!

[Ardeur]

Spider-Man frequently acts as if he is above the law. He destroys property and disturbs the peace in the name of justice.

Don't the police do that? Those lights! The sirens! Gunshots echoing through the neighborhood! I'm not the one committing the crime, yet I'm the one being kept awake by such things! And all in the name of justice, bah!

What you're getting at is, I think, a frustration with the seriously flawed American justice system. People in my region view the police as Barney-Fife-ish. Calling in backup on something as minor as littering, just so they get to play with their sirens and speak 'police codes' into their walkie-talkies. And the Fire department isn't any better. Here in the world of 'volunteer firefighters', we had half our business district burn to the ground because our bumbling idiots didn't realize they'd cause a backdraft by kicking in a door. I gave up smoking for fear that one of these guys would see the smoke and bulldoze half my house to put the fire out!

Now I'm not about to say that this is the case globally, but I think we can all admit that if everyone took a little more interest in at least reporting crimes to the authorities, crime wouldn't be so rampant.

[danzig]

Dammit, we've been rumbled! First X-Men and now Spiderman. How did you figure out it was us gay-bois behind all the American super heros? The crime fighting bit is just a front to give us the excuse to go around showing off our buff bodies in figure hugging spandex outfits!

Like this?

[Zenith Darksea]

I always thought Spider-man is promoting homosexuality and sadomazochism with all the tights and the mask thing...but this is another welcomed perspective.

Well I don't mind the promotion homosexuality and sado-masochism, but vigilantism? That's taking things a step too far.

[Last Roman]

I always thought Spider-man is promoting homosexuality and sadomazochism with all the tights and the mask thing...

Or watch the film! For more reasons than one

I really liked that movie! (I assume you are talking about the new one, not the 1980's one)

anyhoo, vigilantism is acceptable up to a point. Problem is, most vigilantes aren't Spiderman or Batman.

[Sam]

Does he use his powers for good? No! Instead of immediately enlisting with the New York Police Department to augment their potential and legally fight crime, he forsakes the boys in blue and goes of on a rampage of vigilantism.

Spider-Man frequently acts as if he is above the law. He destroys property and disturbs the peace in the name of justice. The worst part is that the citizens of New York actually cheer him on! Spider-man is seen as a hero while the true heroes, the police, are seen as, at best, ineffectual, and at worst, incompetent.

What kind of an example are we setting for our children, who are so impressionable, and can easily fall prey to the siren song of a spandexed "superhero?" Why are these lawless anarchists idolized, while the real heroes, America's Policemen and firefighters, go unnoticed?

For shame, Spider-Man. Vigilantism only leads to destruction.

Do yourself a favour, do NOT read 'The Punisher' comics!

[Stalins Ghost]

Do yourself a favour, do NOT read 'The Punisher' comics!

Or watch the film! For more reasons than one :wink:

Admittedly it's something that never occured to me before, but I guess generally, people don't accept the authority of the police as a matter of "cool". Personally, I respect the work of the authorities, and dislike it when the media puts them down.

[Lord Agelmar]

Batman is also considered a vigilante. Something wrong with him as well?

And I liked the Punisher, hes my favorite comic book character.

[Sam]

And I liked the Punisher, hes my favorite comic book character.

Same, as you can tell from my avatar.

I personally don't perceive vigilante characters as an insult to law enforcement personnel. For me, the Punisher character highlights just how little the police are capable of doing sometimes, because they are always required to adhere to strict rules. As far as I'm concerned, the ends justify the means.

@ danzig -

[MasterAdnin]

Why would spiderman be promoting Vigilantism? The reason why he doesn't enlist in the Police Acadamy is because they will find out his identity and his enemies can hurt his loved ones. Second, like the burgundian noble said, he is within his own limits.

PEace,
Adnan

[Søren]

Spider-Man : Promoting Civic Responsibility would be better (if a wee bit pretentious for a children's comic)

[MaximiIian]

real heroes, America's Policemen

Heroes? Are you nuts? Have you ever even heard of Rodney King? The cops are brutal oppressors, not heroes.

For shame, Spider-Man. Vigilantism only leads to destruction.

Awww, but destruction is so fun.

[King Henry V]

What is actually so wrong with vigilantism, if it is the same as policing, but without the shiny black uniforms?

[Lord Tomyris]

What is actually so wrong with vigilantism, if it is the same as policing, but without the shiny black uniforms?

And in Spiderman 3, he gets a shiny black uniform- so surely everyone will be happy now!