Movie Review: EARTH VS THE SPIDER (2001)

If you’re looking for the PG version of David Croneberg’s The Fly (1986) then Earth Vs The Spider (2001) will be right up your alley.  When a comic book nerd security guard botches a thief of the biochemistry lab that he’s paid to protect he decides to become the superhero he’s always read about - “The Arachnid Avenger,” by injecting himself with an experimental super drug.  At first the drug gives him superhuman strength and the ability to hear vibrations with a single touch of an object but when he starts being able to shoot webbing from his stomach he comes to the realization that he is continuously changing and evolving into something dangerous.  Soon he is a danger not only to himself but everyone around him especially when he begins to crave the taste of fresh blood.

Instead of being a serious take on the idea like Cronenberg’s The Fly this film goes more for the tone of its ‘50s predecessor.  This would all be a detriment to the film if not for the movie makers planting tongue firmly in cheek by having this the reverse of Peter Parker transformation into Spider-Man or if Parker had eventually turned into a giant man-spider.  The SFX make up are top notch especially with the final transformation when complete.  The film is fun for the crowd not looking for something too thought provoking despite all the cliché and old motifs and dated dialogue (which is part of the film’s overall charm) making it an entertaining and easily digestible film but not a film that will stay with you.