Really good comic-book adventure

Rating: 8/10 (8 May 2002)

I've just some from the theater and I have to say, the movie had me pumped. Let's face it -- Superman may be well-nigh invincible, and Batman was richer than God, but Spidey was the superhero we all wished we could be. Peter Parker was one of US. That sense is well presented in the film; Tobey Maguire is excellent, and hopefully he will be reprising the role in the future. In fact, there isn't a bad performance in the film. Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst (with a bad dye job), and Cliff Robertson and the rest of the cast do a great job.
** SPOILERS **
However, there are some drawbacks. This is most definitely a formula film; some of the reviewers mention the parallels to Superman, especially Cliff Robertson/Glenn Ford, but there are also parallels to Batman, such as the parent(s)' murder prompting the crime-fighting. The problem is that we can all see these clichés coming a mile away. When the movie tries new material, such as the wrestling match and his first costume (hilarious!), it works so much better. Especially good was Spidey's realization that his spiteful inaction was directly responsible for a tragic event. On the other hand, I don't know why every one of these films has to include at least one dark-alley butt kicking, and Spider-Man has more than one. Can't we get one in a mall once in a while? Or doesn't crime strike the suburbs? At least this movie was shot in a real city, instead of a Tim Burton monstrosity -- a very nice touch, since Spidey was always more about reality than Batman or Superman.
The special effects are great, and in fact may be a little TOO good. Our hero begins to look and move more like a video game -- a really GOOD video game, but it still looks fake. Other than that small quibble, the money they spent was well used.
Overall, a great popcorn movie and it certainly will fulfill moviegoer's expectations. Maybe this one will make enough money so that the sequel can do better at moving past the clichés. My vote is an 8 out of ten. Spidey rules!