Home :: DVD :: Action & Adventure :: General  

Animal Action
Blackmail, Murder & Mayhem
Blaxploitation
Classics
Comic Action
Crime
Cult Classics
Disaster Films
Espionage
Futuristic
General

Hong Kong Action
Jungle Action
Kids & Teens
Martial Arts
Military & War
Romantic Adventure
Science Fiction
Sea Adventure
Series & Sequels
Superheroes
Swashbucklers
Television
Thrillers
Spider-Man (Superbit Collection)

Spider-Man (Superbit Collection)

List Price: $26.96
Your Price: $24.26
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 .. 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 .. 103 >>

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great Movie :4 1/2 stars!
Review: Ok, virtually everyone on the planet couldn't wait to see Spiderman (the sales from the weekend shows:$114million!!). The graphics were tight, the Green Goblin was just like he was in the cartoons (outside of the lifeless Goblin mask he wore in the movie), but otherwise, excellent fight scenes and special effects. there were only 2 complaints i had with this movie: 1-Why didn't the classic Spiderman song play at all in the movie???:-( and 2. some of the storytelling pauses in between the fight scenes were a little too long (my son started shifting around in his chair and so did other kids) but otherwise, it was a great movie and a recommended must-see!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Amazing!
Review: I've been a fan of the Spider-Man comics since I was 3 years old, so I had great expectations for Sam Raimi's film adaptation. I'm happy to say that I wasn't let down....

Tobey maguire stars as high-school science nerd Peter Parker, who is bitten by a genetically altered spider and finds himself with the ability to cling to walls, make tremendous leaps, sense danger, shoot webs, etc. He decides to cash in on his powers by becoming a pro wrestler, but fate has other things in store for our young hero. A personal tragedy teaches him that "With great power, comes great responsibility".

Enter billionaire industrialist Norman Osborne: desperate to make the breakthrough that will enable his company to keep a lucrative government contract, he makes himself the test subject of his own strength-enhancement formula. The strength aspect works, but the added bonus is the addition of another personality: The murderous Green Goblin, who takes it upon himself to dispose of Norman's enemies.

The Goblin is on a rampage through Manhattan when he runs up against Spidey for the first time. He senses a kindred spirit in Spidey, and attempts to enlist him as a partner. Barring that, he'll just kill him.....LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

I sat through Spider-Man with a HUGE grin on my face; It's JUST like the comic-Book. Fans will be thrilled by the obvious love Director Raimi has for the source material, and non-fans will appreciate the fact that Raimi delivers a rock-solid action movie without resorting to the usual comic-book movie campiness.
Comic fans will also revel in the many appearances of classic Spidey characters such as Mendel Stromm, J. Jonah Jameson (A superb J.K. Simmons), Betty Brant, Flash Thompson, etc., as well as mentions of Dr. Conners and Daily Bugle photographer, who in the books become villains The Lizard and Venom, respectively. Raimi regular Bruce Campbell is hilarious as the Ring Announcer in the wrestling sequence, and Kirsten Dunst shines as love interest Mary Jane Watson; It's easy to see how Peter is smitten with her. Willem Dafoe walks a thin line as the homicidal Goblin, and he nevr crosses the line between insanity and hamminess. Maguire delivers a star-making performance as the hapless teen who rises to the occasion by becoming the hero the city so desperately needs. Kudos to Raimi for using real N.Y.C locations; The city has never looked better! My only beef with the film is the Goblin's mask: It's immobility is kind of jarring when Dafoe is talking.....

All in all, Spider-Man is, in my opinion, the best Comic Book movie EVER, bar none! (Be on the lookout for cameos by Lucy Lawless and Stan Lee, Spidey's co-creator. And stick around through the credits to hear the catchy theme song from the 60's catroon!)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Life and Times of Kid Arachnid, Raimi style
Review: "This is a story about a girl," says Peter Parker, in the voice-over narration that opens the film. He's almost right. It *is* about a girl, but it's also about something more: comic books. An unabashed, from your head down to your toes, childlike love of comic books. It seeps into every frame of "Spider-Man", into the script, and into the actor's performances.

Now, not being a comic fanatic myself, movies that take this track usually don't grab me ("X-Men" and "Unbreakable" being two prime examples; both were terrible disappointments). But "Spider-Man", which lurches along the precipice of clumsiness at times, did its best not to disappoint me. And for the most part, it succeeds.

To begin with, choosing Sam Raimi to helm this production is a plus (ahem, it's *always* a plus). The pure visual inventiveness he brought to the "Evil Dead" movies and "The Quick and the Dead" (my favourite), combined with the latter movie's moral ambiguity and propulsive plot, would be a perfect fit for this film. And it was. Raimi, an unabashed Spidey fan from way back, injects the film with a sense of visual fun, uniqueness, and intelligence. He really shines during the film's first third, when Peter gets bitten and then discovers his powers, all the while trying to stay out of the way of the school bullies. These scenes have a grand sense of marvel (pun intended) to them, while keeping things very intimate. Watch how slyly information is presented in the background -- through Peter, a tour guide, and abundant video monitors -- while the class is on their field trip. No sooner is Peter's fate foreshadowed than the 'super-spider' bites him.

The swinging through the streets scenes, which were always static and bland in the Spider-man cartoon series, rollercoast with energy and verve. A moment in the school hallway, where Peter Parker first notices his knack for precognition, slows time to a stand still, whips around a spit ball, and then speeds up just in time to watch a fist power its way through a locker. These are stunning visual and visceral moments. The action sequences are epic and inventive, especially when the Goblin and Spidey duel above Times Square. And when it's just Spidey vs. street thugs, things have a definite (and addictive) Jackie Chan/"Crouching Tiger" feel about them.

But my favourite moment, the one that best summarizes Raimi's influence over the film, is when Spidey has to make a "Sophie's Choice"-like decision, the intensity of which levels the audience with drama not seen in your standard summer popcorn fare.

The cast, although saddled with a sometimes vigorous but often clunky dialogue, is uniformly good.

Tobey Maguire does fine showing Peter Parker's geeky side, his torment, and his lust. And when he becomes Spider-Man, he shows true awe and wonder at what he can do. And then true pain when he realizes that his gift is also his curse. Maguire, who has shown that he is more than adept at portraying teen angst with a beatific look on his face, does a lot of that here. And it works. Physically, he also works. Spider-Man is not supposed to be muscle-bound; he is lithe and athletic, like a gymnast. Maguire looks and acts the part perfectly.

Willem Dafoe, who plays the Norman Osborn, chews scenery well enough, but his character's motivations were clumsily handled. Having mirrors depict a split personality, while appropriate, is a bit cliche and ham-handed. I admire the filmmakers for at least trying to introduce some complex psychology into an action shoot-'em-up. But they didn't commit enough to it to make it effective. However, Dafoe's Green Goblin get-up, complete with armored mask and a deadly floating surfboard contraption, was terrifying.

Kirsten Dunst is desirable enough as Mary-Jane "M.J." Watson. But here too the character's psychology is underdone. Just because she has a messed-up homelife, is this intelligent and energetic girl really going to fall far one bullying pretty-boy after another? I suspect that this part of her character truly displays the fact that these are real teenagers here, making real, irrational teenager decisions. But why couldn't they make the girl more perfect (like any good comic book girlfriend would be)? She's plenty pretty, but terribly shallow. Dunst does well enough looking wistfully at the sky when Spidey takes off, but she's capable of handling a lot more than the filmmaker's gave her while he was on the ground with her.

In the film's best, non-star, part, J.K. Simmons, as J. Jonah Jamison, best exemplifies the comic book feel that this movie embraces. He spits out his lines like they were watermelon seeds, landing bon mot after bon mot with deadly accuracy, and generally taking over the movie with the enormity of his personality every time he's on-screen. It's a big and healthy role, and Simmons, with too little screen time, makes it come alive. Here's to more of J.J.J. when it's time for the sequel.

"Spider-Man", compared to other summer blockbusters, is an ambitious and distinctive film. It often aims high, and sometimes even manages to hit its target. Which is enough for me, at this time of the year. I'll call it a fine thrilling ride, not expect anything more than that, and we'll all leave the theatre satisfied.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: My Movie-Sense is Tingling!
Review: This movie is, without a doubt, the best adaptation of a comic book that I have ever seen. Tobey Maguire is Sensational as Peter Parker, portraying him as the outcast teenager undergoing some Spectacular changes.
Dafoe portrays businessman Norman Osborn and his diabolical alter-ego, the Green Goblin, with undeniable skill and makes Spidey's deadliest foe oh-so-frighteningly believable.
Kirstin Dunst is outstanding as Mary-Jane Watson, Peter Parker's long time love interest. She shows a wide range of emotion in this film, from joy, elation, and happiness to fear, grief, anguish, and sorrow.
The rest of the cast accurately portray their roles, from irrascible publisher and noted nemisis of Spider-Man, J. Jonah Jameson, to Norman Osborn's unappreciated and troubled son, Harry, to Peter's beloved Aunt May, the comic that entertained me since I was five years old comes to life in a way I'd only dreamed about.
The special effects are well done, too. From Spider-Man's wall-crawling ability to his trademark webs, and the mid-air battles with the Green Goblin, you can almost feel what it's like to swing through Manhattan.
Some aspects of the book were changed for the movie. Spider-Man's web-shooters are no longer mechanical, but a biological aspect of his new powers, and the Goblin's costume is somewhat altered, among many other things. But these details are to make the movie flow more smoothly, and only readers of the comic will notice them anyway.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Spider-Man's web is half-woven
Review: ...It's easy not to envy director Sam Raimi ("Evil Dead," "A Simple Plan") at the moment. Countless millions of people across the world are laying eyes upon his version of "Spider-Man," starring one of the most loved superheroes of all time. The anticipation approaches that of a new "Star Wars" movie.

No matter what critics say, fans of the comic book are going to love the movie. But the fact is, it's only so-so. There are plenty of things to like about "Spider-Man," and just as many that prevent it from achieving greatness.

The story is set up swiftly and efficiently. New York City high school student Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is a nerdy science buff living with his aunt and uncle. He has a crush on his lovely neighbor, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), and all the kids at school pick on him. Peter's only friend is the filthy rich Harry Osborn (James Franco), son of Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe).

While on a class field trip to Columbia University, Peter is bitten on the hand by a genetically altered spider that has escaped from its cage. Slowly, he begins to change. First he goes from scrawny to muscular overnight, and then he can climb walls, release webbing from his wrist and leap tall buildings.

It's at an amateur wrestling event that Peter becomes Spider-Man. He is trying to win $3,000 so he can buy a convertible and impress Mary Jane. When he tells the ring announcer that he is "The Human Spider," the announcer (Raimi vet Bruce Campbell) scoffs at the name and dubs him "Spider-Man."

Soon, Spider-Man is rescuing people throughout the city. He saves babies from burning buildings; he saves storekeepers from being mugged; he helps the police chase bad guys; and he saves the life of Mary Jane twice. Some think he's a hero, other's believe him to be a menace.

But Spider-Man has a nemesis. The Green Goblin, aka Norman Osborn, is the result of a scientific experiment gone wrong. He flies around on a "glider" that resembles a futuristic surfboard. He wants Spider-Man to join forces with him (do they ever want anything else?) so they can rule the world. But Spider-Man only fights for the good guys.

The filmmakers have put forth a lot of effort here. The action sequences are elaborate and ambitious. It's exciting to watch Spider-Man fly around New York City saving lives and doing battle with the Green Goblin. Save for a few instances of unconvincing computer generated images, the special effects are outstanding.

Unfortunately, there are too many weaknesses. First and foremost, the Green Goblin is a terrible villain. He's comical, not menacing. His cackle is silly, his costume bland. A great villain is a must for this type of movie, and the Green Goblin doesn't cut it.

The writing is also poor -- particularly in scenes involving Spider-Man and the Green Goblin (bad one-liners, lame threats) and Peter and Mary Jane (corny and sappy) -- and the pacing is off. Where as the superior "X-Men" comes in at a brisk 100 minutes, "Spider-Man" runs almost half an hour longer and drags as it crawls to a finish.

"Spider-Man" is much too amiable and harmless to be considered a bad movie, but it has no staying power. It's almost instantly forgettable and doesn't warrant more than one viewing. And that has to be looked at as a letdown.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: depends on how you look at it.{movie spoiler}
Review: this was a great movie.I mean this whole thing was
just to cool to see.
but if you want to stay true to the ultimit spiderman
comic book.than this is good till 2/3 of the movie.
cons:[to stay true to the comicd book]
norman osborn was the owner for the spider
shop.
peter parker did not make the suit,he got
by restling.
pros:
awsom action shots
funny in many many places
plot twist every where
you get to see how spiderman
was born.
what more cuold you ask for?
so i'de say this was the best movie sinc
lod of the rings.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Gratuitous Violence Does Not a Great Movie Make
Review: We had heard that, despite its PG-13, rating, Spider-Man was a movie for the whole family. So, I brought my 8 and 5 year old boys expecting a nice family evening out with them.

My idea of a nice evening out with my boys does not include watching loved ones get blown up, a villian gleefully trying to kill a group of children and people getting shot up.

Why on earth wasn't this movie rated R? We wonder why our children are killing each other in school, but yet we happily take them to movies, at age 13, that show terrible violence that does abolutely nothing to enhance a story! What does that say about us.

For me, I brought my kids to this movie not expecting what I saw and I will never bring them to a PG-13 picture again (even Disney PG-13 movies have not been suitable).

Why this movie is so popular, I don't know. It was your typical action hero saves the day (although there wasn't a sceen in the movie where the audience cheered), nerd beats up the bully and loser gets girl. After watching this movie, I was disturbed by its gratuitous violence, but otherwise felt unmoved by storyline and its characters.

The movie never manages to bring you in to it. You are left as an observer watching the characters and the situations and therefore are uninvolved and unmoved.

If you have kids under 13, definately do NOT take them to see this movie. Even if they are 13+, I would think twice about what messages you want your kids to learn.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Spider-Man.. Rating not high enough. On a 1-5 scale 4*s
Review: Spider-Man... Would I see the movie agian, yes! Would I have picked other actors to play the two lead roles Mary-Jane Watson and Peter Parker, yes. Ok... maybe not for the part of Mary-Jane, but for the part of Peter Parker, yes. Maguire wasn't a bad choice he just made the character look sickly to me. Casting could have picked another Spider-Man/Peter Parker.

I did enjoy the computer graphics animation. The movie is definately worth a look at on the big screen. Very action packed. Though I gave this movie 4 stars that does not do it justice. On a scale of 1-10. This movie is an 8 1/2.

Recommend! However could be scary for young fans.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Spider-man
Review: This is the best movie i have seen all year. Its the movie I recommend seeing its the best. You have got to see it, its great. Tobey Maguire is great on it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: YES, they didnt ruin spiderman
Review: Well i have been a spiderman fan for years, and when i heard the news last year about a movie in producion, i was excited.. but most of all , worried. the last thing we needed was another x-men. but sam raimi did it... he put his great directing, with great actors to bring us a amazing movie on the best comic series ever... everyone go see it right away! i already own a bootleg... cripes, im obsessed.


<< 1 .. 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 .. 103 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates