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Spider-Man (Full Screen Edition)

Spider-Man (Full Screen Edition)

List Price: $19.94
Your Price: $15.95
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Teenaged Spider Battles Mean Green Machine!
Review: Genius high school nerd Peter Parker hasn't felt the same, since that genetically engineered spider bit him during a field trip. He's stronger, faster, more resilient, and he shoots webs out of his wrists, climbing skyscraper walls with the greatest of ease.

By the time he's started college, Peter's learned some hard lessons in life. His family is torn by tragedy, and his fantasy girl-next-door love, Mary Jane Watson, is going out with his best friend Harry Osborn. Harry's defense contractor father, Norman, is more like a surrogate father to Peter than a genuine father to his own son. But, unbeknownst to anyone - including himself - Norman Osborn suffers an even worse tragedy than any Peter has endured...one that will turn him into the scourge of New York City and Peter Parker's arch-nemesis.

This fabulous action-adventure film version of the famous Stan Lee Marvel comic book character suffers only from too much underplaying of the title character by Tobey Maguire, and not enough chemistry between him and co-star Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson. Maguire is credible and likeable as Peter, he just doesn't have much fire until he's got the Spider-suit on. The rest of the cast are fine, some even superb - for a single example, Cliff Robertson is wonderful in the small but important support role of Peter's Uncle Ben. The special effects and the pacing are uneven, but overall better than not - director Sam Raimi is an experienced hand at this kind of movie, and keeps it moving pretty well.

But the highest marks go to Willem Defoe, as the tortured Norman Osborn. Defoe's Osborn not only gets to chew the scenery as the wicked Green Goblin, but simultaneously (and convincingly) also plays the Goblin's first frightened victim - himself. The mechanical-looking costume and props of the Goblin are really incredible, and fortunately are very well-matched by those of Spider-Man, himself.

Not a perfect movie, but a damn good one. Enjoy.

By the way, the novelization of this film is really terrific - check it out.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Definetly lives up to the hype
Review: First off, I have never read a Spider-man comic in my life, in fact, I never was into comics, but I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It delivers everything you would expect from any big-budget summer blockbuster. You get action, you get dazzling special effects and even a love story to boot. Sure, the movie is predictable, but that's what makes it so great. Sure, I like a lot of cynical films and most of my favorite movies don't have happy endings, but it's refreshing to see a movie that actually feels good to watch. Tobey Maguire is perfect in his roll as Peter Parker, a photography geek who is turned into Spider-man by way of a poisonous spider-bite. His love interest and next door neighbor is played by Kirsten Dunst. Both are perfect for the movie and do a really good job. Willem Dafoe was a great choice for Norman Osbourne (AKA The Green Goblin) to me, his character had the most dimension. Even though he was the bad guy, I didn't know how to feel towards him in the movie. At times he would be a caring father and five minutes later he would be an insane terrorist. The plot is very good, I don't know if it actually comes from the comic book, but I thought it was VERY well written and has plenty of plot twists to keep you awake. My only gripe about this film is the scene inside of the burning building where Spider-Man and the Green Goblin get into a fight [...]. If I had been behind the editing chair, that scene would have hit the cutting room floor [...]. But one tiny problem can't defeat an otherwise great movie. I suggest anyone goes to see it. I'm not a comic-book freak and I loved it, and I plan on going to see it again while it's still in theaters.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Spider-Man
Review: It doesnt take a damn genious to know that this would be a smash hit. The movie is much more than some give it credit for. the action scenes in this movie are enough to keep anyone in their seats. The acting, could be improved but in overall it was fairly decent. The directing was done beautifully with the web-shots. The love stroy between Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) and Mary-Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) would satisfy the movie-goers that expect it to be extravagant. The film is very well developed although, the movie is screaming for a sequel.
With the expectations of the comic series the movie did accordingly well.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: All Bark No Bite
Review: A great movie for those who are new to Spider-Man. The plot is very accurate with few exceptions. However, for those who are long time Spider-Man fans like myself, you have heard this story a thousand times and there is little else to keep your attention. The only other problem with it is that it doesn't have enough fighting scenes. Hopefully the sequel which is due out soon will improve in those areas.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Spiderman
Review: Comic book adaptations are a mixed bunch, ranging from the excellent (Superman) to the excremental (Batman and Robin). And thankfully the latest superhero film is right up there with the greats. Tobey Maguire IS Spiderman, swinging around buildings, saving the world from Green Goblins and so on. His transformation from geeky Peter Parker to the ultra-cool Spidey is outstanding. Kirsten Dunst is good as his love interest. Throughout the film's running time, the action set pieces are well paced and inventive. The action is brilliantly done and thrilling, and the CGI blends seamlessly with the live action stunts.

Fans of the comic will not be disappointed, for the film stays true to it's origins, yet has enough adventure to make it new and attention-grabbing. Director Sam Raimi (the Evil Dead films) has created a world, which is fun and adventurous. There are problems; William Dafoe is limited in his performance as The Green Goblin, with the restraining suit creating a somewhat gauche characterisation. And Raimi sometimes goes a bit far with the retina-popping visuals. Regardless, it's first-class popcorn- munching entertainment, with enough action and FX to satisfy audiences.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Go for a spin
Review: I had pretty high expectations when I went to see Spider-Man and I wasn't disappointed. Spidey's origin story is told nicely in an updated way for today's audiences, while still being true to the spirit of the original comic. A lot of guys can probably relate to Peter Parker, because he's a pretty ordinary guy who finds himself in extraordinary circumstances. What I liked best about the movie was Spidey's mid-air acrobatics. Sam Raimi has done a great job of presenting them visually. One particular scene, where he rescues a child from a burning building, is especially exhilarating, as well as moving. Toby Maguire is well cast as the hero.
Willem Dafoe was perfect for the role of the Green Goblin. Man! That guy can act! Kirsten Dunst was great as Mary Jane, although I find some of the scenes between her & Peter Parker a bit boring on repeated viewings. Although they were romantic, they dragged on a little.
Overall, a great movie for the whole family. Bring on the sequel Mr. Raimi!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Spider Man Origins
Review: This is a very well done movie for Spider Man. Like a lot of people. I grew up with the Web Slinger and was very thrilled with the movie.
It's worth viewing for a Spider Man fan.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A fantastic DVD to a awesome movie!
Review: The movie itself will be known as the best Comic Book movie of all time, this Sam Raimi directed film is based on the beloved Comic book about a nerd named " Peter Parker" ( Tobey Maguire) who is a loser, he has a crush on a beautiful girl named " Mary Jane" ( Kirsten Dunst) and wants to get her to like him. One day, he gets bitten by a radioactive Spider, he has been given Spider-like powers including the ability to shoot Spider webs from his from wrists and climb walls, his uncle recently died and avenges his death by becoming a costumed crusader named "Spider-Man" who protects the good citizens from crime including a new foe called " Green Goblin" ( William Defoe). A Brilliant, unique and entertaining flick that dazzles the audiences with it's realistic special effects, great acting, terrific action and great script that makes this movie one of 2002's best movies.

The DVD: Perfection! great picture and sound that only Sony could offer, the extras are incredible such as documentaries, trailer, TV Spots, and history of Spidy, for anyone who loves Comic Books or movies own this movie on DVD and share it with the whole family.

Also recommended: The Crow, X-Men, Batman, Superman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Harry Potter, The Matrix, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A better-than-average superhero flick
Review: Anybody expecting a triumphant, "Fellowship of the Rings"-style epic from "Spiderman" will be pretty disappointed. However, for a comic-book superhero movie, "Spiderman" acquits itself quite well. In a smart casting move, the movie stars the legitimately geeky-looking Tobey Maguire in the title role as Peter Parker, the high-school nerd who gains superhuman powers from a spiderbite. Willem Dafoe ably mans the villain role as Norman "The Green Goblin" Osborn, and as Peter's love object Mary Jane, Kirsten Dunst is, well, hot.

This movie is a far cry from the old-fashioned superhero movies, typified by the "Superman" of twenty-five years ago, where a hero perfect in body and soul takes out one-dimensional villains with no moral conflict. Befitting these more complex times, "Spiderman" presents a more complex version of the superhero, a young man with special powers who has to make the difficult decisions about how to use them. Before he's murdered, Peter's uncle Ben tells him "with great power comes great responsibility," and Peter carries that weight with him the rest of the movie. He has to think about how his superhero role effects those close to him, and his decisions aren't easy. Likewise, the villainous Green Goblin is literally a two-dimensional character, with a split personality caused by his performance enhancers, and the movie lets us see the conflict between his good and bad sides.

As an action movie, "Spiderman" is a mixed bag. The pacing is excellent, with action scenes nicely interspersed into the drama, but the action sequences themselves leave a bit to be desired. They're pretty well choreographed, but I think they're a bit TOO slickly produced. Much like in the two "Star Wars" prequels, everything's just a bit too glossy and fake-looking. I found the grittier look of Michael Keaton's "Batman" to be far more effective, and I don't really like the direction these special-effects extravaganzas are moving in now.

That said, "Spiderman" is still a pretty good movie. It's a lot more intelligent and ambitious than I had expected, and for that
alone it should get at least three stars. It also has an absolutely terrific ending, not the "mega-happy" conclusion I was expecting, so it gets an extra star tacked on. If there are more installments of this series, and this one's huge grosses all but guarantee there will be, I hope they live up to this one.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WITH GREAT POWER
Review: For years, Spider-Fans have been waiting for a movie adaptation of their favorite wall-crawler's exploits. Finally, they have it.Spider-Man is everything it should be, and more. Tobey Maguire excels as the ultimate Everyman superhero, capturing the full range of emotion as the character stumbles to transform from gawkish high school geek to media sensation to genuine hero. Willem Defoe is the perfect Norman Osborne; his Green Goblin is both scarier and more credible than Jack Nicholson's Joker. And Kirsten Dunst lights up every frame as the fiery-haired Mary Jane. The effects are brilliant, the production lavish, and the script surprisingly intelligent and literate. Moreover, the straightforward moral of the film--with great power comes great responsibility--is a welcome relief from the ugly amorality that too often fills modern comic books. Faithful to the comics from which it was spawned, Spider-Man is an instant action classic. In one word? Amazing. Of course.


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