Good origin, but little else original (SPOILERS)

Rating: Null/10 (12 May 2002)

"Spider-Man" is a respectable adaptation of the comic-book superhero. This is the first film in a hoped-for series, meaning that it's an introduction to the character and his world. This is never really the most interesting type of story, in films or comics, but everything has to start somewhere.

The problem with this film is that unlike "Superman" (which only told the hero's origin) or "Batman" (which did it for the villain), "Spider-Man" gives both the hero AND the villain's origin - and forgets to come up with a plot for the two of them.
The first section of the film explains how Spider-Man came to be. With the exception of some contemporary changes, it matches the comic-book origin almost scene for scene. We learn how nerdy teenager Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) gains arachnid abilities after an ill-timed spider bite. After a brief stint in wrestling, a personal tragedy convinces him to fight crime. This material is faithfully handled by director Sam Raimi and screenwriter David Koepp. It's a testament to the power of the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko tale that the filmmakers kept so much of Spider-Man's origin intact.
Meanwhile, Spidey's first nemesis is born - defense contractor Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe) tests a "performance enhancer" serum on himself and develops an evil alter ego. He steals his company's flight suit and rocket-powered glider, and takes to the skies as the Green Goblin.
The film starts to unravel after Spider-Man and the Goblin meet at the World Unity Festival (the film's best action sequence). A wimpy scene has the Goblin proposing to Spidey that they join forces...but to do what, exactly? And why would the Goblin do this after seeing Spidey rescue people? Wouldn't he know what side he was on? It doesn't make sense.
There is never a clear motivation for what the Goblin wants - and, therefore, never a good reason for him to go after Spider-Man. Once the two origins were told, the script needed a larger-than-life plot to keep things interesting. In "Superman," it was Luthor trying to destroy California and make millions in real estate. "Batman" had the Joker's product tampering. In "X-Men," it was Magneto's campaign to turn world leaders into mutants. "Spider-Man" just never raises the stakes to these levels.
Still, the film is enjoyable and it gets the job done, laying the groundwork for future sequels. 3 stars out of 4