Compare/Contrast Spiderman II and Superman II (unboxed spoilers)

Cafe Society
1

While watching Spidey II, I realized that a lot of plot points were similar to plot points in Superman II. So, help me compare and contrast the movies.

(This OP is intentionally kept spoiler-free to prevent accidental roll-over viewing.)

2

Okay, let the real thread begin.

When Peter Parker was talking to his dead uncle, in my mind I imagined him telling Peter “You will feel like an ordinary man. You will think like an ordinary man…”. That was the inspiration from this thread.

Similarities between Spidey II and Supes II:

The decision is made to give up super-powers and live a normal life.

The hero seeks a father figure for guidance. (Fortress of solitude Holo-Dad/Uncle Ben)

An near-catastrophe involving something nuclear (Nuclear bomb/“precious” Tritium) is directly involved in unleashing the super-villain.

Green Goblin’s son hooks up with Dr. Octopus. Lex tries to hook up with the Kryptonian baddies.

The hero’s girlfriend learns his true identity.

The hero has a secret ID working for a newspaper.

The hero and his girl get into trouble (of various kinds) while dining out.

There were others, and I will post as I recall them. Meantime, what do you got?

3

Okay, let the real thread begin.

When Peter Parker was talking to his dead uncle, in my mind I imagined him telling Peter “You will feel like an ordinary man. You will think like an ordinary man…”. That was the inspiration from this thread.

Similarities between Spidey II and Supes II:

The decision is made to give up super-powers and live a normal life.

The hero seeks a father figure for guidance. (Fortress of solitude Holo-Parent/Uncle Ben)

An near-catastrophe involving something nuclear (Nuclear bomb/“precious” Tritium) is directly involved in unleashing the super-villain.

Green Goblin’s son hooks up with Dr. Octopus. Lex tries to hook up with the Kryptonian baddies.

The hero’s girlfriend learns his true identity.

The hero has a secret ID working for a newspaper.

The hero and his girl get into trouble (of various kinds) while dining out.

There were others, and I will post as I recall them. Meantime, what do you got?

4

I can give you the biggest DIFFERENCE right off the top of my head: In Spider Man 2, Mary Jane was given a choice as to whether she would stay with Peter, even with the dangers involved, and chose to do so. Lois Lane was not given a choice.

5

I don’t think I can do more than what you’ve put on the table already. The only spin I can put on it is comparing both sets of the first two films, some of which you noted before.

  • In both sets of movies, the hero has a surviving matriarch (Aunt May to Peter Parker, Ma Kent to Clark Kent).

  • In their secret identities, both heroes work for a newspaper with stuffy bosses who smoke cigars.

  • Both heroes face villains who are traditionally depicted as “evil scientist” types in the comics (Dr. Octopus in the second Spidey movie. Lex Luthor in the first Supes movie).

  • As you said, in both sequels the love interest/girlfriend (MJ & Lois) learns the hero’s secret identity (though Lois Lane is ultimately made to forget it).

  • In both sequels, the hero in their civilian identity, is shown wearing glasses more times than not.

  • As you said, in both sequels the heroes lose their power and struggle to get them back.

  • In the first movies, both depict the heroes alter-ego being picked on whlie in high school.

  • Right before they suddenly die in the first movies, both patriarchs (Pa Kent, Uncle Ben) give Peter and Clark a key piece of advice which will stay with them through out their heroic careers.

  • In both sequels, Peter and Clark abandon their heroic careers, in large part for the love of a woman (MJ & Lois).

  • At some point in both sets of films, both Peter and Clark rip open their shirts revealing their costume underneath.

  • In both sets of movies, the villains (Green Goblin in first Spidey, and General Zod and crew in Supes II) storm the newspaper where the hero works, rough up the hero’s boss and demand to see the hero.

6

I remember walking out of the movie thinking “Oh! I bet Spiderman fights Peter Parker in a junkyard next sequel”. :smiley:

7

Unfortunately, nowhere in Spiderman II does Doc Ock say “KNEEL BEFORE OCK”.