Rating: 
Summary: Mixed bag to be sure
Review: Just because Brian Michael Bendis serves as executive producer doesn't mean you can expect the same kind of brilliant writing you get in his various comics. MTV's New Adventures of Spider-Man finds the wall crawler in yet another animated series (I've lost count how many times the Marvel hero has starred in his own animated show) this time created by Mainframe: the same folks who brought us the computer animated Reboot and Transformers: Beast Wars. Using a computer generated cell-shaded design to present the show, Spidey looks great while he's webslinging, but everyday movements of normal people look jerky. The story of this series picks up after the mega hit film with Spidey/Peter Parker (voiced by Neil Patrick Harris), his friend Harry Osborne (Ian Ziering), and his longtime crush Mary Jane Watson (Lisa Loeb) in college and features the webslinger taking on classic enemies like Kraven and The Lizard as well as new villians designed specifically for the show. It's a notion that longtime fans of Spider-Man will either love or loathe as this collected first season offers a mixed bag of animation, voice acting, and storytelling. Guest voices range from solid (Buffy the Vampire Slayer's James Marsters) to lackluster (rapper Eve) and it will really depend on the fan whether or not they'll find the series enjoyable. MTV has since dropped the series after airing it's first season, but my recommendation is that this new show is worth checking out, but many are better left sticking with the comics.
Rating: 
Summary: Spidey Goes Computer Generated
Review: I have to say right at the outset, when I first saw Spider-Man -The New Animated Series on MTV, I thought it was just ok at best. To be fair though, I had only seen a handful of episodes, when they originally aired, and probably didn't give it enough of a fair shake. As someone who enjoyed the live action film version and who has read a lot of his comic book adventures in my youth, Spider-Man in any form, deserves another shot. The series follows our hero's exploits soon after the events depicted in the film. Peter Parker (voiced by Neil Patrick Harris) must deal with the burdens of being the infamous wallcrawler and of dealing with the love of his life, Mary Jane Watson (voiced by Lisa Loeb) Peter still lives with best pal Harry Osborne (voiced by Ian Ziering), who blames Spidey for the death of his father, and he continues to work at the Daily Bugle newspaper for J. Jonah Jameson (voiced by Kieth Carradine). Spider-man comes face to face with foes like Kingpin (voiced by Michael Clarke Duncan, who played the character in the live action Daredevil film), Kraven (Michael Dorn) and more. Produced by Audu Paden, who was responsible for the CGI animated version of Starship Troopers, came together with his team, with the blessing of Marvel and Stan Lee for the show. A lot of folks make a big deal that the author of the Ultimate Spider-Man comic book, Brian Michael Bendis was involved. I have never read his work but in my opinion, the pilot, was rather one note and typical fare. The 13 episodes, on this two disc set, got better as they went along though The animation took some getting used to, but after listening to, and watching the extras, I gained new insight into why things turned out the way they did. The series is now in limbo, after MTV dropped the show, after watching it again, I hope it gets another shot--I liked it much more in total this time around. The set is loaded with extras. Each episode has an audio commentary by various contributors to the series, including producer Paden, the great Stan Lee, Bendis, series writer Morgan Gendel and star Neil Patrick Harris, among others including folks from Mainframe. These tracks vary in quality info and fun. I was surpised that Ziering and Loeb weren't around at all...Like the Spider-Man film DVD, there's also trivia fact track. The animation can make this stuff hard to read at times so beware. You will also see test footage (The Mainframe Pitch), a small yet clever outtake reel, and prduction artwork. As if that weren't enough, there are several making of featurettes: the 24 minute Making of Spider-Man, talks about how the show got started; And the the rest talks about how the episodes are put together. Some of the information can also be heard throughout the commentaries but that's not that big a deal. Rounding out the set are trailers for various releases and in the form of DVD-ROM is a neat mix match character modele. The series is by no means perfect. But if you give it a (first or second) look, you may see it in a whole new way. Recommended for Spider fans for sure, and the curious, as a rental
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Disappointment
Review: So just how much involvement did Brian Michael Bendis have in this less than stellar effort? Could not have been much. I read a lot of his stuff (Powers, Ultimate Spider-Man, Daredevil, etc.) and the man is a freakin' genius. This show is NOT genius. Some good action sequences, but that's about it. The characters are SOOOOO flat. This had so much potential, and it all deflated. It just never gelled. There was nothing cohesive about it. How much money did they spend, and for what? A few hours of a video game that I don't even get to control. Really, that's it. Watching this show is like watching someone ELSE play a video game, itching for your chance to grab the controls . . . but you never get the controls. Well, Spider-Man 2 is hitting theaters in a few months and THAT will ROCK!!
Rating:
Summary: Another Underrated MTV Animated Series
Review: Although I don't know the specific features of this disc set, I am familiar with the show and those responsible for it to offer some insight. This show was in development just after the Spider-Man movie hit big in summer '02 and was developed under the supervision of Brian Michael Bendis, acclaimed and highly-popular writer of the comics series Powers, Daredevil, Ultimate Spider-Man and, most recently, Ultimate X-Men. His influence on the show is notable in the snappy dialogue, solid plots and story arcs, and fresh continuity and character re-establishment. The show loosely takes off from where the movie ends: Peter Parker, Harry Osborn, and Mary Jane Watson are students at Columbia University and Peter's identity is secret from everyone. The animation style is reminiscent of the X-Box game "Jet Set Radio Future;" it has the line and flatter of cell animation, but with a noticeable CG look to it. Unlike other shows that are actual digital-cell animation like Futurama, this show is a little more experimental. The backgrounds are somewhat basic-looking, but the animation itself is pretty cool. The recording and animation studio that put out this series is Canada's Mainframe, who gave us Reboot, the Beast Wars/Beast Machines Transformers series, and X-Men Evolution. Among their core bank of voice talent, Neil Patrick Harris (of Doogie Howser and Starship Troopers fame) voices Peter Parker/Spider-Man; Ian Ziering (Beverly Hills 90210's "Steve") plays Harry Osborn; and songstress Lisa Loeb plays Mary Jane. Guest stars (that I've noticed so far) have included Stan Lee, Michael Dorn (of Star Trek: The Next Generation) as Kraven, and couple MTV VJs/news people. The series owes much to the movie and Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man; the stories are all very contemporary and the villains (revamped or new) all make for a fun-to-watch animation experience.
Rating: 
Summary: Now THIS is more like it!
Review: Truly the BEST ever incarnation of Spiderman and the best animated show EVER!!! Compared to previous animated Spidey's this was bold move, taking it in new, more mature and realistic directions. The 60's and 90's shows seem tame and childish in comparison. Taking place after the Spider-Man movie this show revolves around the college adventures of Peter, Mary-Jane and Harry who have much better chemistry, character and dialogue than the movie ever offered. Each episode provides more drama and development and creativity. The stories are very imaginative and are obviously written by people who are passionate about Spiderman rather than a studio hashing a product together. The computer animation is superb and resembles The Ultimate Spiderman comic book (my fave) more than anything. And I know Mary-Jane is only a CGI character but she is so beautiful, and she's voiced by the equally gorgeous Lisa Loeb. Neil Patrick Harris is the voice of Peter Parker and even in this performance he is a hundred times better than Tobey Maguire. The show also offers some new, interesting characters like Indy, Cheyenne and Silver Sable and gives us alternate takes on Electro and Kraven. Though I was curious as to why Aunt May was not involved. There is plenty of action and excitement to be had in every episode, all backed up to great music, MAN IS THAT THEME TUNE AWESOME! Where is the soundtrack CD? The show could not have asked for a better DVD presentation. Not only do we get an absolutely stunning 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation but a thumpingly good, totally engaging DTS 5.1 soundtrack too. Each episode is a 22-minute movie that is far superior to anything the live-action effort was. There are also an abundance of extras on this 2-disc set, some interesting, some not. But a seriously good package for a great show. You must buy! Fan or no fan of Spidey this DVD is too good to be without.
Rating:
Summary: The Spider_man
Review: I think this has to be seen in a different light to the past artoon and the Comics. as it was intended to be in th film world. The stroys wer always solid good from a cartoon. maybe they didnt have the visual appeal of the Movies or the Depth of the comics. as a Cartoon they work and if your a Spidey fan its worth buying. With Spidey 2 coming soon start the ball rolling with this Series on DVD
Rating:
Summary: 3-D Comic Book World
Review: After the big-screen success of "Spider-Man", Sony Pictures brings Marvel Comics' popular hero to the small screen in the state-of-the-art adventure series "Spider-Man: The New Animated Series". The series centers on the complex world of Peter Parker and his alter-ego Spider-Man. It effectively combines creative comic book adventure and emotional drama. The episode storylines are fresh, amusing and reasonably well-structured. The 3-D CG animation is eye-popping and adds much excitement to the elaborate action sequences. The animated series features the voice talents of Neil Patrick Harris (Starship Troopers), singer Lisa Loeb and Ian Ziering (Beverly Hills 90210). The all-star guest voice line-up also includes Rob Zombie, Gina Gershon, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Marsters, Kathy Griffin, Stan Lee and many more. If you're a fan of comic book films and CG animation, then "Spider-Man" is a worthy DVD addition. This 2-disc edition contains all 13 episodes of the entire first season. The episodes are presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen format. The picture quality is bright and sharp with some minor enhancement flaws. The 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS sound options are excellent with great clarity. This special edition DVD contain some great supplemental extras like in-depth audio commentaries with producer and co-creator Stan Lee and star Neil Patrick Harris, test footage, outtake reel, behind-the-scene featurettes and production artwork. With its fine presentation and great supplements, "Spider-Man" scores a "B+".
Rating:
Summary: VEry Good
Review: Pretty good DVD set. Each episode is about 22-minute movie that is far superior to anything the live-action effort was. There are also an abundance of extras on this 2-disc set, some interesting, some not. But a seriously good package for a great show.
Rating:
Summary: Great Spider-Man series for the cartoon fan
Review: I was not able to catch this series on MTV, but I wish I had because this compilation of the first year has me drueling for the next season. I hope someone picks up the show for next season seeing as how MTV has dropped the ball. Great voice talents from Harris, Ziering, and Loeb to Michael Dorn (Worf on Star Trek), Griffin, and others. Animation was good with a few quirks, but all animation features have a few of those. I love the music during the intro. If I didn't know better I would say that it is a modernized remaking of the music from the old cartoon. Overall, this series is awesome and the DVD with all the extras and the first season is wonderful. The kids and I watch it over and over. COM'ON, SOMEONE PICK UP THIS GEM OF A SHOW!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A great spider-man cartoon
Review: i like the fox cartoon spider-man but this is by far a great jumping on point after watching the movie. these cartoons looks like it picks up where the movie left off. harry is trying to deal with his fathers death by the hands of spider-man but not like in the movie peter, harry and mary-jane are in collage. i really like the CA here it looks really good i dont think it brought down the name Spider-Man at all. if anything it gave spider-man a slightly more edged feeling like in the ultimate and the amazing spider-man. the only reason i gave this DVD 4 stars is because of MTV dropping season 2 i would have liked to see harry find the GG suit and glider and go after spider-man. or peter telling or MJ finding out about Peter. or more May knowing about Peter.
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