--The Movie's Green Goblin--

This was one good movie. I mean, I really, really had a good time at this movie. Like a lot of old school Spider-Man fans we all were eagerly coutning down for May 3rd, but then again dreading that it may have turned into another "Batman and Robin" type movie. Or even worse, the "Fantastic Four movie!" Shudder... But as we know, it didn't turn out that way and was the highest grossing movie of the summer. Take that "Titantic"!

When I saw the movie, I was interested in how they would handle the Green Goblin. I must admit, when I first saw a preview for his new high tech, armored flight suit, my first reaction was "Ehhhh..."

It just wasn't the classic. Even still, I think the image on the right would have been the absolute best choice for GG. It's not too goofy, and hopefully they would CGI the mouth and make it actually move. Still, while the movie Goblin looks like a big action figure, he looks like an action figure that will kick your ass.

Norman Osborn has gotten quite a fan following thanks to the movie as I've noticed by the Norman sites that keep popping up. I can't say I don't like all this publicity for my favorite villian. But anyway, lets talk about the Goblin in the movie.

I remember hearing that Willem Dafoe was going to play the Goblin and was relieved thinking "Oh thank God, Dafoe can play a pretty good whacko." Indeed, he played the part to perfection, yet there was quite a lot of differences between movie and comic Osborn. For instance, did anyone else notice that Norman seemed a lot...nicer? I mean, Harry actually talked back to him? That's something comic Norman would have smoked his ass for.

Again, another difference, the Goblin's motives. His main motive was power and vengeance. In the comic, he decided to use his Green Goblin persona to kill Spider-Man to gain the respect of the mafia. In the movie, his first evil doing was to decimate Quest and kill his backstabbing board of directors. Only after the Goblin fights him does he turn his attention toward Spider-Man.

Another thing while trivial, was why Osborn was developing the jet glider. It does make a lot more sense that the American Military would want some of Oscorp's toys. And it is more believable that he was planning to market these wonder weapons rather than use them solely for 'evil schemes'. Score one for the movie.

Perhaps the biggest change between the comic and movie Goblin was how they trreated their alter egos. In the comic, Norman and the Goblin are one personality, while the Goblin seems to represent the insane, twisted ambitions of Osborn. In the movie, the Green Goblin and Norman are two seperate personalities, or at least they are inside Osborn's head. I have to admit, this is pretty interesting and I'm not sure which I like more.

Enough about the differences, lets talk about the similarities. For starters, the Goblin slowly becomes obbessed with killing Spider-Man and decides to use his family members against him. And lets hear it for the pumpkin bombs folks! I'm surprised they found their way into the movie, and of course, the old school fan in me is happy. Too bad they didn't have any sparkle blasts. Norman's death was exactly the same, I honestly thought they were going to end the movie with Osborn's memory getting wiped out, leaving him open to do the second Spidey movie. But alas, as soon as the glider rose behind Spidey, I knew Norman was done for.

All in all, I loved the movie's Green Goblin. The film gave GG some much needed publicity and highlighted his status to the public as Spider-Man's greatest enemy. Let's just hope James Franco can fill Dafoe's shoes.