Rating: 
Summary: Go see this movie!
Review: Here's a short and sweet review: Spider-man had the perfect balance of everything - just the right mix of action, romance, visual effects, and great acting. Most of all this story was wonderfully told!!! Everyone who participated in this movie has something to really be proud of. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Spider-Man Swings
Review: Since his inception onto the comic book scene in 1962, Spider-Man has enthralled two generations of teens and adults alike. As a teenager I can vividly remember many days spent at my friend's house, seeing a Spider-Man comic book collection so large that it protruded from under his bed in a huge cardboard box. He kept each issue individually wrapped in its own plastic case, treating them like exquisite artifacts that an archaeologist might dig up at the Great Pyramid of Egypt. Despite who my friends were, I never really read comic books and thus failed to comprehend their appeal. However, I found the new cinematic adaptation of Spider-Man invigorating, injecting an infusion of vitality into a comic book movie I haven't experienced since director Tim Burton's Batman in 1989.
Spider-Man is a vast improvement over the recent X-Men movie adaptation. Spider-Man didn't suffer from the superfluous dull exposition that plagued X-Men. The first hour of the film entertained me more that the action packed second hour. We are treated to many humorous incidences when Peter Parker is discovering his new powers. At the screening I attended the theater erupted with laughter at them. The special effects worked because I felt I vicariously lived through Spider-Man as he spun his webs and swung across the canyons of New York City. It made my vertigo kick in. However, in certain scenes, Spider-Man appeared slightly too cartoonish and failed to blend into his non-computer generated surroundings. The final scene of the film illustrates my point.
Tobey Maguire proved to be a brilliant casting coup. He perfectly captured the quirky nerdiness of the teenage Peter Parker. After being bitten by a genetically engineered spider, Peter Parker wakes up the next day and discovers his new gifts; he at first, merely uses his powers for personal gain and does what any teen would do. He enters a wrestling competition to earn $3000 to buy a car to impress the object of his desire, Mary Jane Watson, played effectively by Kirsten Dunst.
Willem Defoe must have relished playing the dual role of Norman Osbourne and the Green Goblin. Upon drinking the enhancement serum, his personality is split. Defoe plays Osbourne's manic side to perfection. Director Sam Raimi utilized adroit editing to depict the simultaneous evolution of Peter Parker and Norman Osbourne. Defoe's a fine actor and proves it once again here with his villainous turn. He'll go down in the comic book movie villain hall of fame with Gene Hackman (Lex Luthor) and Jack Nicholson (the Joker).
Supporting characters, J.K. Simmons and James Franco gave phenomenal performances as J.J. Jameson and Harry Osbourne respectively. Simmons was hysterical and we can only hope his screen time is increased in the eventual sequel. Franco's performance reflected the mild jealousy he had of Peter Parker because Parker gained his father's admiration.
Spider-Man received an appropriate PG-13 rating because there were some scenes involving the Green Goblin that might be too scary for young children. Composer Danny Elfman's score for Spider-Man proved to be the most unremarkable thing about the film. I couldn't remember a note of it as I walked into my car in the parking lot immediately upon viewing the film. Could anyone say that about John Williams's score for Superman? I think not. The "Don't mess with New Yorkers," dialog near the climactic fight atop the Queensborough Bridge made me wince and cover my face. Such a blatant display of political rectitude in the wake of the September 11th tragedy should have been left on the cutting room floor.
Spider-Man ranks behind the first Superman film as the best comic book adaptation ever made. It's genuine fun. The thrilling actions sequences will quench the thirst of the summer moviegoer parched for excitement.
Rating:
Summary: World Wide Webbed
Review: Does whatever a Spider can. After watching Spider-man, you believe that a man can acrobatically swing from location to location on a web. 2002 Spider-Man is an incredible technical feat. This film, the first in a proposed series has 2 goals: It has to relate the 'origin' of the Spider-man and secondly to see him take on the villain, The Green Goblin. The origin of Spidey is nothing short of exceptional and loaded with fun. His first outfit design is fantastic. Tobey Maguire does a great job with the duality of Peter Parker and his alter ego. He even gets to balance the beautiful Kirsten Dunst, the girl who just might figure out his other side, but that is another story. Running concurrently is the rise of the Green Goblin played with scenery chewing aggressiveness by Willem DaFoe. Although this portion of the story is not as rewarding it is obligatory for a super-hero film. The film is smartly directed by Sam Raimi and like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter before, he avoids upsetting the source materials core fans. But, you can tell he has the most fun with the creation of the web-slinger even when he is working with CGI. Most of the films effects are created in the computer and even if they are not stellar, they work within the story so no questions are asked. There are occasional laps in logic, like when the police are on a hunt for Spider-Man and when they finally corner him, let him go and inexplicably stop pursuit for the remainder of the film. But that is irrelevant to the loud fun and visual splendor. Spider-Man is a welcome treat to mainstream filmmaking.
Rating:
Summary: BEST SUPER HERO MOVIE EVER MADE SO FAR
Review: I think this is the best Super Hero/Comic Book movie ever made so far.
Thus far, all I've seen with this genre are special effects and action. Superman I, Batman I, and X-Men came close to actually having a "human", touching story, but not quite there.
Spider-Man is superior to all these movies!
It is a touching, moving, action, special effects fest!
I cannot wait for the DVD when it comes out---hopefully very soon.
I think Spider-Man will make even more money than Star Wars Episode II this year.
It is the best so far.
Rating:
Summary: What a GREAT flick!
Review: This is the best movie of 2002 so far. It was fun and exciting. Maguire and Dunst give great performances, and the ending is superb. Thank goodness they have these two signed on for two more films. You will not be disappointed by the story or the acting. Go see this movie. In fcat, go see it twice. There are things you'll miss the first time that will blow you away.
Rating:
Summary: Spiderman delivers
Review: Best adaptation of a comic in years. I had braced myself for the Batman campy rendition but was pleasantly surprised to get a genuine take. A fun two hours.
Rating:
Summary: Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave When...
Review: So so acting, I thought Toby Maguire was much better in Cider House Rules, but great special effects. Who cares because everyone connected with this years box office smash made millions. Some necessary editing caused a delay in the release, but it was worth the wait. The WTO scenes had to be cut. And we now settle in for a super cinematic treat. I thought the Goblin was kind of goofy. A more dramatic foe would have been Venom or Carnage. Let's hope one of them will pop up in the next episode. I was happy to see that the movie's rating allowed for the little ones (kids) to view the film. On the other hand the death scene was much more graphic then any comic book Stan Lee or Todd Mc Farland had ever penned. It's a shame too. I really don't think our small-fry need to be exposed to violence in a super-hero film. Star Wars? I suppose it's inevitable. For non-stop action, thrills, and spills, Arachnoid-man has it and more. Recommended. Cammy Diaz
Rating:
Summary: Forget about Star Wars! Spider Man is the REAL DEAL!!!!!!!!
Review: I just saw this movie tonight and all I can say is WOW! This movie surpassed my expectations and then some! It is an action-packed thrill ride with loads of non-stop fun and excitement. This movie is definitely going to destroy every inconceivable box-office record in history (Titanic made about $1.8 billion, so Spider Man should surpass that in about a few days)
Oh, as for that OTHER summer blockbuster called Star Wars? There is only one word to describe what I think about it: FUGGEDABOUTIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Tobey RULES!!!!
Review: Before I start my review of the movie, I want to address some of the reviews that I have seen. Some people say: 1.) "I hate the ending. Why didn't he stay with Mary Jane at the end?" My answer to this is--Did anyone listen to the voice over before he walks away? He says, "No matter what, the ones that I love will always get hurt." Peter is protecting her from getting hurt. 2.) "It was kind of slow. It didn't have a lot of one liners, etc." People, it is only the first movie. They have to do the origin before they go all-out-action-packed. Also, the one-liners will be more in the next movie after Peter gets more used to his new powers. Okay, now to my review of the movie. This is hands down the best comic book movie of all time, and the best movie in the last few years. Tobey Maguire IS Peter Parker/Spider-Man. He is my favorite actor (before Spider-Man), and after seeing the movie, I have more respect for him than ever. He needs to win something for his portrayal as Peter. Kirsten Dunst is spectacular as Mary Jane Watson. I hope she has more screen time in the next movie. I also hope she becomes more self-assured as well. Willem Dafoe was AMAZING as the Green Goblin. His facial expressions were perfect, and his voice was creepy. All-in-all, the years of waiting has paid off. Spider-Man is definetly going to be in the books for one of the best movies of all time. Do not pay attention to those who give this movie 1-3 stars. Go watch, and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Spider-man may just top episode 2 for summer's best flick!!
Review: I have to say that after going to see spider-man i really don't see how episode 2 can top it as the summer's best film. This film had everything i look for in a movie granted i am probably not the best film critic around but i look for the simple things in a movie and this delivered well above my expectations. i want a movie that has good special effect's but not overdone one that actually has a good story or one in spidermans case that sticks to the story of the comic book as close as possible and spiderman does this quite well. And if your a big spider-man fan i don't think you will be disapointed at all with this film. As for actors and actresses WOW nice to see hollywood put it's trust in a differen't group of actors than you would normally see for a film of this nature and does it deliver. Toby Maguire is an excellent spider-man and one i think kids who will watch this film can relate to. He does an outstanding job as peter parker and spider-man. Kirsten Dunst who said this lady could not be Mary Jane she sizzled I for one thought she did an outstanding job as spider-man's love intrest. And who can forget the green goblin played by Willem Dafoe i must say they have the perfect cast for this picture. I want to also add that Sam Raimi is the director for this picture i had actually never heard of him before this picture but i really do feel after seeing this film you will be hearing alot about this man what a director WOW. Hey sam please don't change any of the cast for part 2 the talent here is fantastic. This film is definately a must see 5 stars easy as for episode II we will see if it can compare with the nice suprises of spider-man.
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