The Birth Of Peter Parkour Extraordinaire

Rating: 7/10 (8 March 2020)

Based on the Marvel comic series, this film follows the successful film adaptations of "Superman" and "Batman". But whereas Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne assume their superhero mantles in adulthood, protagonist Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is a teenager in high school at the inception of his superhero saga, so his alter ego likewise is a young man, and his is a coming of age story.
Peter is the narrator and he tells us up front that his story is "all about a girl", so romance is integral to this film. We are introduced to the angelic-but-socially-needy Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). And the film launches into the origin story immediately, detailing the fateful day when our meek-mannered Peter's life intersects, improbably, with a unique arachnid specimen.
Peter is given a competitor (James Franco) and an enemy/villain (Willem Dafoe). The story borrows heavily from traditional superhero/comic book lore, as well as traditional monster themes (see "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and "Frankenstein"). And stylistically the film is grounded in comic book graphics and composition, which serves to lighten the drama and inject an element of camp.
"Spider-Man" is set in New York City, and it often showcases known architectural landmarks to great effect, like the Chrysler Building and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is something that couldn't be done in Superman's Metropolis or Batman's Gotham.
After a screen kiss that is now iconic, I was disappointed by the last twenty minutes of the film, which are steeped in melodrama, undercutting the dramatic action.
The ending is a setup for the next installment. A twist redefines Peter's love for Mary Jane in an unexpected way.
Because of its comic book roots, the film does not require extraordinary acting, but the cast is solid anyway. Though we never feel the fate of the world is in jeopardy, there are real emotions at play and the actors deliver believable portrayals. Kirsten Dunst is especially good in her role as Mary Jane, which is necessary to anchor the entire film. J. K. Simmons, as newsman J. Jonah Jameson, gets to chew the scenery in a delightful way.
This is certainly a strong first act for encouraging viewers to watch sequels.