A Great Tobey, Much Fine Acting, but M.J. Needs Those Acting Lessons

Rating: 7/10 (12 October 2002)

Enjoyed Spider-Man, mostly for the nuanced performance of Tobey M. Willem Dafoe was a perfect villain, with comic touches appropriate to the overall theme of the movie. Unfortunately, Ms. Dunst *really* needs to follow through on getting her acting lessons, as her M.J. character suggests. Her delivery is so wooden, so flat, it's inappropriately hilarious. How could Spidey be in love with a stacked piece of redheaded cardboard? There's no chemistry there whatsoever and it's to Tobey's credit he faked it for her the whole time. PlayStation-like animation detracts from some of the scenes, but the sweeping cinematography thrills at every angle (despite the twin towers' removal).