A Perfect Comic Book Adaptaion

Rating: 10/10 (5 May 2002)

This movie succeeds on many levels by doing what other comic book movies of late fail to do (X-Men, Blade, Blade 2, Batman and Robin). Spider-Man establishes a certain charm to each of its characters that actually makes you feel for the plight of Peter Parker, Mary Jane, Norman Osborn, and Harry Osborn. X-Men was constrained by its short running time, failing to establish the segregation between humans and mutants as well the emotions of the individual X-Men (except Wolvernie and possibly Rogue). Blade swereved toward the direction of an outright action flick, with fight scenes to overcome the lack of personality in Wesley Snipes character. Spider-Man however provides what these other movies lack, a combination of character development and action that allows it to please a wide range of movie-goers. While Tobey Maguire often lacks emotion in his speeches (both his outburst against Uncle Ben and the final scene with Mary Jane), the awkwardness he displays works surprisingly well as Parker. Willem Dafoe played the psychological aspects of Norman Osborne/Green Goblin to perfection, and his rant to himself infront of the mirror shows not only his range as an actor, but the complexity of a comic book character. Spider-Man did not attempt to overwhelm the audience with a myriad of special effects and action sequences, it built up to them for just the right climax accompanied by emotion. This movie is a 10, and no question as to why it broke box office records.