Rating: Summary: *If you need a nap, go see Spider-man* Review: My sweety and I were so disappointed in this flop of a flick. He's a real Spidey fanatic and I had to wake him up at several points throughout the film. The only reason I managed to stay conscious was because I knew nothing about the origin of Spider-man and was driven on by curiosity. But we both found the film totally predictable and cheezy. The romance aspect of the movie was played out much to much and even the promise of exciting special effects did not follow through. The only good thing about this movie was the ever erasable Toby McGuire, who was perfect as Peter Parker. I am a big Kirsten Dunst fan, and I must say that her acting in this movie was nausiating. To lay it on the line, save yourself the money and rent it next year.
Rating: Summary: An Absolute Delight Review: What a charming movie. Memories of childhood super-hero awe were revived! I thought this movie had a great balance of action, romance, character-development, and effective dialogue/plot. There was a wonderful unfolding of innocence blossoming into awareness without the mood ever becoming corny.
Rating: Summary: Improving on the Original - Spider-Man delivers the goods Review: It's hard to get comic book characters adapted to movies. The first two Superman movies and the first Batman movie were done right. The Spider-Man movie is right up there with them.The changes in the Spider-Man legend actually improve on the original. Long time Spidey fans will not be disappointed and there are scenes in the movie that bring famous panels from the comic books to life. The origin tale is especially improved. And finally proper credit is given to Steve Ditko as Spider-Man's co-creator. So, when the DVD comes out, lets hope they do that right too. Looking forward to adding it to my collection.
Rating: Summary: Best movie of the summer Review: I went into Spiderman with high expectations for a movie on one of my 2 favorite super heros, directed by one of my favorite directors. I can happily say that I was not let down. This movie blew my expectations away. Toby Maguire is a perfect adolescent Peter Parker; Kirsten Dunst is beautiful, and does a pretty good job playing Mary Jane Watson; and Willem Dafoe is outstanding as the Green Goblin. Casting was outstanding. The costumes, unlike those of the X-Men, look like they were torn straight from the comic-book pages. Everything is presented in Sam Rami's (Evil Dead trilogy, Darkman, and Xena television series) wonderfully campy style without going overboard and becoming stupid slapstick mush. Also, fans of the Evil Dead trilogy should be pleased to know that Rami has lots of Evil Dead cameos in Spiderman, Ash's car makes an appearance, as does Bruce Campbell Personally,I feel Spiderman rises above my other favorite superhero movie: Tim Burton's 1989 Batman. Star Wars Episode II definitely has its work cut out for it, and I don't think there is much chance that the modernized Star Wars will be able to one-up the Wall-crawler. All in all, don't wait for this to come out on DVD. see it on the biggest screen possible. As for me, I'm checking it out on the giant IMAX screen this weekend.
Rating: Summary: The Wait Was Worth It Review: For Spiderfans in know this movie project was something a good 10 to 20 years in the making and I'd dare say, Spider-Man has lived up to its expectations. Featuring a solid storyline, AWESOME action sequences, CGI and regular special effects this movie, which stayed fairly true to Spider-Man canon with some minor changes, does not disappoint and fully delivers. THE STORY: The movie basically is loosely based on two major Spider-Man storylines: 1. The Spider-Man origin story which recounts how Peter Parker, the typical high school nerd receives great powers when he's bitten by an irradiated spider and how, through a horrible personal accident that he could have prevented learns the ultimate lesson of how "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility" and 2. The Green Goblin Saga which discusses how a crazed billionaire industrialist becomes the homicidal and maniacal Green Goblin, Spider-Man's greatest foe bent on destroying our favorite superhero by any means (including some PERSONAL, close to home attacks) necessary. THE COOL THINGS: 1. The action. First and foremost it is the action that drives this movie. The first and subsequent fight scenes between Spidey and the Green Goblin are what make this movie a winner. The action choreography and accurate depiction of both men's fighting styles stay true to the book, including Spider-Man's awesome limber limbs. The fight scenes between both men (especially the first one) are among the best you will ever see in ANY action movie. 2. The effects. Definitely ranking up their in any Hollywood production are how Spider-Man's web-slinging powers are rendered in this film. Again, very true to his comic-book depiction you'll marvel at how Spider-Man swings from building to building and how he uses his web powers in battle or to merely "hang around." The DNA effects were cool too. 3. The story. Obviously looking towards future sequels and building a franchise it's a great treat for long-time Spidey followers at how the plot threads are still kept loose with Harry Osbourne and Spider-Man and the budding relationship of Mary Jane Watson and Peter Parker at the end. Also included are brief potential looks ahead for future villains with the mention of "Dr. Conners." NITPICKING: Looking at some discrepancies between the comics and the movie we have: 1. The Web Shooters: In the movie Peter generates his own webs internally. In the comics he builds web shooters to shoot webs. 2. The origin story. The movie features a robber/carjacker. The comic has a robber/burglar. 3. The origin story. The movie features wrestler Bonesaw McGraw (played by Randy "Macho Man" Savage. The comic features wrestler Crusher Hogan (which undoubtedly somehow influenced legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan). 4. The Goblin Saga. The comics featured Spider-Man's first true love Gwen Stacy getting caught up in the super-hero struggle. The movie revolves around eventual Spider-Man resident female love interest, Mary Jane Watson(-Parker). THE VERDICT: Overall, this is the film that Spider-fans have waited their whole lives for. The action, effects and story are solid with enough hanging plot threads that will make long-time fans anxiously await the sequel. While some of the changes between comic and movie may have hardcore fans a little uppity, the changes are minor enough to let by and the rest of the movie's great points should put aside any other worries. Overall, Spider-fan or not, this is definitely not a movie you'll want to miss. Highest Recommendation
Rating: Summary: A little too easy Review: While I am sure this review is likely to earn flames from fans all around, I cannot help but be the thorn between the multitude of roses. I will give the movie its due insofar as that the special effects, cinematography, and sound score were enjoyable. Unfortunately, for me it ended there. The story line was designed to make people happy. It served its purpose it seems (given the reviews), yet it is apparent that people do not stop to think how absurd the writing is. You have young Peter Parker who knows all about the most complicated of microscopes and claims expertise on the various species of arachnids. Yet...he hopes one day to make it to college...maybe by being a photographer for a newspaper (because there is no way he would get a scholorship with that knowledge?) Then one can settle into the warm feelings one gets as the romantic heronie (spoiler) confesses that as her life is in imminent danger...she thinks that she may never get to see her true love (is anyone else thinking...gee my life is in danger...what do I do?) I understand it followed the comic closely, to which I am sure fans are appreciative. So kudos for loyalty to the comic, special effects, and sound score, yet the writing gets a major yawn.
Rating: Summary: Spider-Man, the movie Review: Great movie! Saw it twice. Been waiting since I was in my teens for a movie to be made of the comic book Spider-man. Sam Raimi did a great job. Go see it.
Rating: Summary: the best comic-book movie ever made!!! Review: I've read the spiderman comics since i was 12 and have always loved the comic book. when i found out there was gonna be a movie i just couldn't wait. i was a bit worried about who they would cast as Peter Parker but Tobey Maguire IS Peter Parker. The script is so great and keeps moving. i couldn't see all the fuss about spidey's web-shooters since i thought that in this film they enhanced spidey's appeal. Also i loved the fact that they drew home spidey's problem with letting others in and the 'with great power comes great responsibility' fact. much like the cartoon that aired a few years ago. this truly deserves the name spider-man. although i didn't like the end since i am a bit of an old-romantic and was worried that the scene on Brooklyn Bridge was gonna end with MJ's fate the same as Gwen Stacy's since i'm a big MJ fan. the cast were just great. Kirsten Dunst was brilliant as MJ. the bloke they had play J. Jonah Jameson was brilliant as well, it wa like jameson had lept out of the comic and came alive, although i was happy with the way ol spidey shut him up. Willem Defoe was excellent as Norman Osborn and the Green Goblin and really lived up to the character. (i would've liked to have seen Venom in the movie but that would've made the film 4 hrs long and probably run into the trillions to make). i thought star wars episode 2 was gonna be my film of the year, but after seeing this i think star wars is gonna have to really put up a big fight to knock this movie off my top spot.
Rating: Summary: Boring and Highly Overrated Review: This movie was boring. I really do not get why there's so much hype about it. The dialogue was terrible and the romantic story was ridiculous. Also, the plot was painstakingly predictable. Ok, all movies are clichéd one way or another, but that does not bother the audience if the characters look real and multidimensional and the story is well developed and paced. In this flick, instead, we have nothing but clichés and clichés, over and over and over again, and nothing else to make the story stand out. The second half of the movie was especially bad, with spider-man doing all the staff that superman would do: saving children from buildings on fire, saving the innocent girl from being raped, stopping bad boys from robbing money from-I-do-not-remember-who, I mean, you get the picture. But the worst is served in the final scene with Peter Parker and the chick whatever-her-name-was. I mean, talk about completely unbelievable and ludicrous dialogue. My friends and I were laughing our heads off, I mean it was really as bad as the dialogue in "Autumn in New York." Only the action scenes were ok, but nothing I hadn't seen before. And you can't base a movie on special effects. They are fun for five or ten minutes, but, after a while, they bore you to death.
Rating: Summary: Great-a few points though Review: This flim was well thought out but poorly executed. If I had to think up you word to describe it I would say "oatmeal". The begining reminds me too much of Dawdson's Creek and Peter's Aunt and Uncle while very well acted were just too Ma and Pa Kettel-ish good feely all American(not that this is a bad thing. Also parents please before you take your 6 and 5 year old kids please remember that this is a PG-13 it does get violent towards the end. Great action sceans and there is lots of promise for a sequal.
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