From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Robert Ebert's eyes revealed a hint of amusement:

So, from the very first scene, the movie had already set the tone.

Does anyone remember that the narrator said at the beginning that this was a story about a girl? And then the movie's plot progressed closely around the theme of middle school students, firmly unfolding the narrative around the troubles of adolescence.

Therefore, when a middle school student gains superpowers, their first reaction isn't to save the Earth or punish evil, but to desire to buy a used car so they can impress the girl they have a crush on.

Indeed, the cringeyness of youth.

It's this entry point that immediately distinguishes "Spider-Man" from other superhero movies on the market, and even from the narrative styles of "Superman" and "Batman."

Before its release, people regarded "Spider-Man" as just another superhero movie; but clearly, this is a prejudice, a mistaken notion. Accurately speaking, it's a teen campus movie.

Robert thought: Interesting.

Thus—

Peter made his appearance.

The host at the scene disliked Peter's nickname "Human Spider" for being too silly, and improvised a name for him, "The Amazing… Spider-Man."

Robert: Haha, even such small details carry a kind of wicked humor, seemingly sincerely disliking the innocence of a cringey teenager.

Regardless, Spider-Man appeared, using his astonishing strength to easily defeat his formidable opponent; but after the match, he was refused—

The wrestling match organizer refused to pay Peter the $3,000 prize money, arguing that he had won too quickly. The advertisement required him to last three minutes, but Peter knocked out his opponent in two, so he was only willing to pay Peter $100.

Blatantly taking advantage of Peter's youth.

Peter left indignantly, but didn't expect that a robbery was taking place at the underground wrestling arena. Peter, standing at the elevator entrance, not only didn't stop the robber, but also stepped aside, allowing the robber to enter the elevator and escape smoothly.

When the organizer came to condemn Peter, Peter said triumphantly, "Not my problem."

But Peter didn't realize that while he was focused on revenge, the outside world was undergoing drastic changes—

In a carjacking incident, the driver was shot in the heart and collapsed.

That driver was Uncle Ben.

Watching Uncle Ben lying on the ground, dying, Peter was immediately stunned. Countless thoughts raced through his mind, unable to react. He just stared, dumbfounded, at the weakened Uncle Ben.

Uncle Ben struggled to hold Peter's hand, trying to say something, but he was already too weak to speak, only managing to call out.

"Peter…"

Peter was stunned. He opened his mouth, countless words churning on his tongue, but his brain was completely frozen. He watched helplessly as Uncle Ben closed his eyes—

In those deep blue eyes, a tear fell, but he didn't show any expression, didn't make any movement. Only his shoulders drooped as the tear fell, as if he had forgotten to breathe, and the whole world fell apart.

Although there was no sound, one could see the heartbreak and disillusionment in that blue gaze.

He tried to breathe, but couldn't catch his breath. Only tears fell like broken pearls, and that dazedness and helplessness dragged him into the abyss.

The information from the police chasing the robber through the radio waves struck Peter's heart fiercely. The focus of his scattered gaze reassembled, and a flash of murderous intent flickered in those clear and bright eyes—

Resolutely, he ran madly.

This was the first time Peter used his superpowers to their full extent. The camera followed his figure as he traversed the steel jungle of New York. The smooth editing and the exhilarating drumbeats made the entire screening room hold its breath. One or two people curled their fingers, watching the screen intently, their hearts rising and falling with Peter's every move, as if their fates were linked together.

Peter found the robber and easily subdued this petty thief.

Peter was furious, attempting to deliver a fatal blow, but at this moment, he saw the robber's face clearly—

The guy he let go in the underground wrestling arena.

Cause and effect flashed through his mind. It was him, he was the culprit behind all of this. If he hadn't let the robber go because of his selfishness, the subsequent events wouldn't have happened.

It was him, he was the one who needed to be blamed.

At this moment, the entire screening room was plunged into shock and impact. The whole audience was silent, even their heartbeats and breaths seemed to have disappeared.

Gloria completely quieted down. The big screen in front of her magnified the scene presented by the camera tenfold or twentyfold, perfectly displaying every detail before her eyes. She could clearly see those deep blue eyes, clearly interpreting the struggle and conflict in those eyes.

Cutting off her breath.

If this was the price of growing up, then it was too cruel and too brutal, not even growing up overnight, but forcibly growing up in a short moment.

Time stood still.

Robert also quieted down, temporarily forgetting film reviews, temporarily forgetting analysis, immersed in those eyes, dragged into Peter Parker's world. Quietly, he seemed to return to eighteen years old, experiencing the growing pains and collisions of youth again, experiencing that period he thought would never end.

The power of light and shadow poured down overwhelmingly, so that there wasn't a single sound in the entire Chinese Theatre, yet one could clearly hear the sound of heartbreak.

Quietly, spreading outwards.

Subconsciously, Blair turned to look at the entrance of the Chinese Theatre—

However, there was nothing there.

But she had a feeling that she could sense a fragile and sensitive emotion permeating the air, causing her heart to skip a beat.

For no reason, she felt a little sad.

"Blair?" Karen noticed.

Blair waved her hand repeatedly, "No…" She paused, looking at the staff who were busy dismantling the premiere decorations, with nothing unusual, and quickly retracted her thoughts, "No, no, I was just daydreaming."

Despite what she said, her gaze fell on the entrance of the Chinese Theatre again, and Blair fell into her own thoughts.

Movies possess such a charm—

In a short ninety minutes to one hundred and twenty minutes, they open a window, allowing the audience to glimpse a world between reality and illusion, briefly escape reality, embark on an adventure, an experience, a journey. When everything ends, even though nothing has happened, it's as if one's life has been extended by one hundred and twenty minutes.

Ordinary, yet magical.

The same was true before her eyes.

Even if it was only for a brief moment, Gloria had experienced vicissitudes of life with Peter.