I think people are so quick to throw away the concept Raimi was trying to go for.
Before 2002, when it came to superhero movies was there as big an audience as there are for them now? No way.
There were many many films based on comic books but since Spider-Man superhero films have almost just become their own genre.
But, I think before that superhero movies were really great but I think they often lacked that one thing you always need: relatability. Raimi really locked into a genre of young, modern, cool but also down to earth superheroes.
I guess Tobey Maguire may not be everybody's prefrence. He's very soft looking, in looks, voice and persona. But I think he had a vulnerability that I think was really missing from alot of big action stars/ movies at the time.
And it was like either Kirsten D or Sam R (cant remember which) said on one of the DVD's, you can have all these big action sequences happening but if you dont care for the character, or feel they're vulnerability then it's completely pointless.
I think the Raimi films gave a big heart to the Spider-Man films and possibly even influenced the genre. It can be so easy to get caught up in the big expensive action sequences but small,
intimate conversations with Aunt May, Mary Jane or Harry are priceless.
Peter Parker/ Spider-Man was a hero I could reeally relate to in the movies. He wasn't a millionare, he couldn't design himself a super costume in like 2 seconds, he wasn't part of some super group and he actually came from planet Earth (what a thought!) .
It was just him, his aunt his best friend and the girl he loves in Queens, New York. And I really like that concept.
Now I agree that Tobey's Peter often seemed like the 60's Peter Parker, but he was kinda supposed to be totally out of touch.
I hope to God (and I think I'm right) that this new version will feel very updated, very modern and 2011. That Peter Parker will be a little nerdy but GOOD nerdy kinda like Seth Cohen in the O.C, now he was a good representation of a cool nerd. One who is totally unashamably nerdy but is still in touch with everything that's going on and has a sense of humor about it.
So yeah, I think HUGE improvements can be made, but I'll always still look back on the Raimi/Maguire era with a huge amount of fondess, especially the first two.
Anyway sorry for going on so long. I know people hate reading long posts.