Rating: 
Summary: The Moose Hole - 'Spider' Weaves a Web of Great Filmmaking
Review: Look in the sky! It's a bird ... It's a plane ... Oops! Wrong comic book brand! Even without this comic catch phrase, one can easily say many things about the rising stock of Marvel in the movie industry. It is thanks to the successes of films like Blade and X-Men that finally pushed one of most highly anticipated comic-book adaptations over the top to completion. The movie version of the famous web-slinger has been in development for nearly ten years, mostly due to court battles as well as the lack of enthusiasm by the movie-going public for these types of films. But all the built up anticipation will find a rest as the famous comic-book superhero makes his way to big screen for the first time ever being played by a relatively unknown young actor. Will the fan base accept Columbia's film despite the lack of famous characters in front of and behind the camera? The only thing that can be said is that the ten years of built up hype and anticipation will finally come to end. Whether it will be a glorious success or a tremendous failure is not yet known accept to those that see the film and judge for themselves. Either way, it will be an exciting ride for all those involved.The story centers on the life of the young Peter Parker and the origin of the now famous comic-book superhero, Spider-Man. Peter Parker, a shy and geeky teenager, is raised by his Uncle Ben and Aunt May after the death of his parents when he was little boy. As far back as he can remember, he has been head over heels for Mary Jane Watson, the girl next door, but he has never gotten the courage to ask her out, let alone talk to her. On what seems to be a normal class field-trip, Peter is bitten by a genetically altered spider and his whole world is turned upside-down. He quickly notices that his body is changing but as time goes on, he begins to gain control over his new abilities and uses them to win a wrestling match. When he doesn't receive the money from the operator of the wrestling match, Peter ignores the burglar that robs the man at gun point. But when he discovers that the robber later killed his Uncle Ben, Peter devotes his new abilities to fighting crime. Now dubbed Spider-Man, the new superhero must master his abilities perfectly to take down the Green Goblin, who is actually his best friend's father who goes insane from an experiment gone wrong. The story for Spider-Man does a wonderful job of combining romance, action, comedy, and suspense all in beautifully well crafted script that remains consistent despite a couple integrating story lines. At the time of its release, the cast for Spider-Man was a relative bunch of unknowns but each member works well in their own way in this film outside of this handicap. It has to be said that there was quite a bit of hesitation on the part of Sony executives when Sam Raimi, the director, had chosen Tobey Maguire to take on the role of Spider-Man in this high budget feature film. This was quite reasonable considering Maguire had so little real acting experience outside of low budget films like Wonder Boys and Cider House Rules. But those fears can now be put to rest as the young actor proves that he can express vivid emotions even when his face is hidden behind a mask. Kirsten Dunst, who had gained some exposure in films like Jumanji and Bring It On, presents the perfect amount of "girl next door" charm that gives the story its real heart, which can only compliment her acting ability within the film. And William Dafoe, who takes on the duo role of Norman Osborn and the Green Goblin, shows true acting talent especially in the scene where Norman argues with his alter self in the mirror and in his mind. Overall, Spider-Man manages to spin a web that is able to capture many integral story elements in an amazingly beautiful pattern that doesn't out do itself. Though the film manages to pull off great things, there are a couple of things to pick at here and there. One of the most prominent examples has to be the musical score conducted by Danny Elfman, who also worked on the soundtrack for another superhero film, Batman. The score is quite unmemorable and doesn't have quite the kick one would expect from this high-profile a feature. Another problem is that some of the scenes with Spider-Man, in costume form, seem too fake compared to other computer effects but this is quite a small complaint in comparison to the rest of the film. The highly anticipated comic-book adaptation has already been declared the movie of the summer before it even has the chance to get out of the gate. Whether the general public makes this statement true or not, Spider-Man is a prestigious effort that gives huge compliments to the filmmakers and all other parties involved in finally bringing this comic-book fanboy vision to the big screen.
Rating: 
Summary: The best superhero movie in years!
Review: When SPIDER-MAN came out in 2002, I never taught that it would be such a big deal. But when I saw it, I realized that it's a very good movie. The story is about Peter Parker, a normal teenager who's in love with the High School's sweetheart, Mary-Jane Watson. When he gets bitten by a spider at a research center, he starts noticing that he has special powers. He uses his powers to avenge his Uncle Ben and to fight the Green Goblin. The movie is very good because of the script that holds perfectly throughout the movie and the performances of Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and Willem Dafoe are excellent. The special effects are very elaborate and are in fact the best in years. SPIDER-MAN is the best superhero movie since 1989's BATMAN, which is also very good. The DVD of SPIDER-MAN is excellent and I would say that it is the best DVD of 2002. SPIDER-MAN is also the best movie of 2002 by far, since that STAR WARS EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES kinda sucked. The DVD contains many documentaries about the movie and the comic book, interviews with the cast and crew and many other features. SPIDER-MAN is truly a DVD you must own.
Rating: 
Summary: Total fluff
Review: I was very excited about this movie when I heard that Sam Raimi would direct it. I thought he did good work on the Darkman movie, but I think he lost some of his edge, because this movie was just plain bad. If it had been a debut of a new filmmaker this movie would be forgivable, but Mr. Raimi should be very, very ashamed. The story is basically non-existant, the bad guy is just plain stupid (why didn't they choose Doc Octopus as the bad guy), the acting is awful and even the CGI is sub-subpar. Let's just hope they won't make more of these or give it to someone with a little more depth. If you want to see a really good superhero-movie try Ang Lee's the Hulk.
Rating:
Summary: My fav movie
Review: I saw this movies at my cousins,I was really into the movie.I became in love with it, I wanted to watch it again and again.I played the game I watched the movie, does it get better.Alot of high flying stunts, I could tell u that.You dont have to be a Spiderman fan to watch this, the movie is worth watching.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring and overrated
Review: If you did not have spiderman poster at your bedroom when you were kid, you simply do not have good reason to love this movie.
Sam Raimi had big budget, some reasonable actors (McGuire, Dunst and Defoe), cult superhero comic book as script base, but he created an absolute failure. Plot is laughable and very childish, characters are unbelievable and what is most important, it lacks any kind of special graphic novel "environment". Instead it is just boring teenage action movie. However, as it had huge success among critics and in box office, producers probably decided that there is no need for any improvement and made even worse one - Daredevil. I bet Spiderman 2 will not be any better, so I suggest to forget about franchise and enjoy GOOD comic book adaptations like - BATMAN,X-MEN or BLADE.
Rating:
Summary: Boring
Review: If the comic book were as bad as this movie, the movie would have never been made. The only thing in this movie that I can remember is that the Green Goblin looks like Donald Rumsfeld. Other than that, its a yawner.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: One of the most important things for taken a comic book to the big screen is that the director. It's shows by this movie. There are a couple "creative licenses" but not enough for the die hard fans to scream. Toby is a great Peter Parker. I didn't care for Kirstin Dunst. Willem Dafoe did a great job as the Green Goblin. Could be over the top but the scene with the mirror defined the character! Surprising fun was
J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson. He was everything you would imagine about the character! If you are a big fan then this set is great for the extras. A great film and you won't tire watching it!
Rating:
Summary: After being a long-time Spider-Man fan as a kid...
Review: ...this was a revelation! Too many comic characters just don't translate well, if at all, to the big screen, but Spidey isn't one of them. Not in this version, anyway. I was talked into going to see it by my best friend, as I wasn't interested at first...and I am SO glad she did!
"In spite of all you've done for them, eventually they will hate you!"...truer words were never spoken. What makes both the original comic and this film so poignant is that this wisdom comes from the VILLAIN. And he's right. The articles in the Bugle are as negative as they are favourable: 'yes, he saved those people...but who put them in danger in the first place?', and the reader (or the audience) can't possibly miss the implication.
Driven by tragedy, first losing his parents, then his beloved uncle (at the hands of a petty thief he, Peter, allowed to escape), eventually coming to hate his powers and the responsibility they force upon him, Spider-Man was and is the most enduring of the Marvel characters because he's not just a hero...he's a very human hero. Flawed, imperfect, always concerned about the consequences of his actions - even in the face of events that seem to spiral out of his control, a theme that never let up in the comic. This made him stand out from all the other Marvel characters, and is the reason he's such an enduring one, especially as he learned the fundamental truth of being a superhero - "With great power comes great responsibility" - the hard way. Would that today's world leaders understood that as well as Spider-Man does.
I was most impressed as to how closely the plot followed the original storyline, but updated it for a modern audience. The final confrontation with the Goblin, in particular, was spot-on, even to the Goblin discovering Spider-Man's true identity and vice versa, being hoist on his own petard, his last, sane words spoken by Norman and not the Goblin: "Peter...don't tell Harry..."
Casting was superb - especially J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson! I swear, he was BORN to play that role! He couldn't have been closer if they'd scanned him from the comic and used that to create a 3D computer model of him! Tobey - spot-on geek-turned-superhero. Kirsten - rrrowwwwllll! Red hair SO works on her! Willem - Norman and the Goblin both played to perfection.
The DVD itself was superb, with plenty of extras. Well worth the money.
I hear the sequel's been made. I can't wait! Roll on Spider-Man 2!
Rating:
Summary: An unsatisying blockbuster
Review: I can't stand this movie. Why? Let me count the ways. (1) First and foremost, Peter Parker's love for Mary Jane comes up WAY too many times. He tells us at the beginning that he loves her. Then he says it again. Then he shows it in his actions. Then Aunt May mentions it. Then Harry Osborn mentions it. Okay, okay. We GET it. One time would have been enough. (2) Why cover up Willem Dafoe's face? Once he has the mask on, it could be anyone under there. And he has a good face for the Green Goblin. (3) The special effects are bad half the time. Yes, that's a CGI Spiderman beating up bad guys in the alley. It's obvious. (4) Macy Gray? Why? (5) Mary Jane's protuberances in the rain are, let's say, out of place. But they ARE memorable. There are a few good things. It's not all bad. (1) The casting is good. Tobey Maguire is a perfect Peter Parker. Even Aunt May is well-cast. (2) Randy Macho-Man Savage makes a cameo. Right on! (3) The organic webshooters are a good idea, so is the sequence in which Peter Parker explores his new powers. (4) Finally, the plot sort of made sense, which is rare for superhero movies. This is a solid two-star movie. I didn't want my money back, but I never want to see it again. Hopefully the sequel will have better effects and less love story repetition.
Rating:
Summary: It's a Bird! No a Plane! No It's...
Review: Honestly, I didn't expect to like this film. I'm from the original Spider-Man generation. My roommate in college was a comic geek, and I was inundated by the life and times of... Spidey wasn't my favorite (I was more a Dr. Strange type), but he was a regular visitor. As such, I have an entire set of preconceptions about what he would sound like and how he would act. So my first reaction when Tobey Maquire showed up on the screen was that this was going to be a very tiresome film. While I changed my mind about the film as it went on, I'm still not happy with Maguire's presentation. It feels overplayed to me, and stiffer than even Peter Parker's early shyness would justify. Its not so much bad acting as it is that this Spider-Man doesn't match up to the voice in my head when I was reading the comics. In contrast, most of the other characters are dead on. Especially the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) and J. Jonah Jameson (J. K. Simmons - who was perfect). At some point, though, the quality of the film overwhelms any quibbles about an individual acting flaw, and the viewer simply forgets that this modern Spidey isn't a perfect reflection of the past. It captures the spirit, and some of the wow factor of becoming and being a superhero while maintaining a near-perfect, comic book atmosphere. Spidey has always been one of the most human and accessible of the pulp do-gooders. He has problems, makes mistakes, and learns as he goes along. The film emphasizes this in a way that gives Peter Parker and his alter ego a vivid reality the Batman or Superman never quite achieved in their own films. Maguire captures this struggle well, even if he isn't my perfect Spider-Man. This two DVD package has enough extra stuff to keep you busy for a day or two. Lots of history, outtakes, and interviews at an attractive price. I was very pleased with it, and I'm sure you will be too.
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