A long wait well worth it for Spidey fans!

Rating: Null/10 (7 May 2002)

Good afternoon, true believers! Sorry, couldn't resist... Stan Lee (Spidey creator) would say that if he could welcome viewers to each theatre, I'm sure. Hopefully Stan the Man would repeat those words over and again with an undying smile too, because the movie made from his creation was nothing short of spectacular.
This review I actually wrote last night (May 6), but I had some PC troubles and apparently it didn't take. I'm a die-hard comics fan, and I have to say that Sam Raimi did a wonderful job. I can understand a few of the things people perhaps complain about: Green Goblin's outfit was rather cheap, Mr. Dafoe was an unexpected fit for that character, and a few overly-comic one-liners put small dents in an otherwise great film. But they're blemishes easily overlooked by a package that's otherwise simply perfect.
SUSPEND DISBELIEF. That's what film tells you to before sitting down in that chair, popcorn in-arm. Let go and just enjoy the movie. For those two hours, just accept that a man can stick to walls and enjoy the show. If you're a rational human being, not overly-anal and so completely bored that you can do nothing better with your time than nitpick a fabulous piece of art, you'll love Spider-Man from the opening credits. Don't listen to those who say that the film isn't convincing--not to name any names of course.
The soundtrack was great, by the way. Danny Elfman on-board as the composer for the main themes was, of course, a great choice. His work on Batman was terrific, as were just about all of his scores... and his Spidey theme is no variation from greatness. I bought the DVD one day post-viewing of the movie, and it's great. Elfman, Alien Ant Farm, Aerosmith, Sum 41 and a handful of others for a total of 19 tracks. (Elfman's scores appear on #17 and 18.)
Mr. Elfman's music is of course best complemented by the film itself, but anyone intimate with Spider-Man's character, with his human connection and tortured life, can hear whispers of "With great power comes great responsibility" beneath every chorus. Wonderful. Though I have to admit that at a few points, it echoes a few flashbacks to the Batman theme song. I guess your work shows up everywhere you go, though! When John Williams did the Superman theme, you could hear a little Star Wars in there too, which was from just a year prior, 1977.
The special effects in Spider-Man were the kind that made every person who allowed themself to smile, feel like they were eight years old again. Some say that the CGI went a little overboard at times--and perhaps that's true. I'm also a fan of the old-fashioned, of smoke-and-mirrors versus computer magic. But short of finding someone willing to defy physics, sign a waiver and swing about New York City on high-tensile line, this is as good as it gets. In another couple years I'm sure the technology to blow this away will be there, but hey... there WILL be two sequels. ;)
Following Spidey through the streets at mach speed was thrilling, to say the least. His first appearances in costume were enough to make a guy cheer, and if the theatre were full, I bet there would've been a lot of that. (I saw it in a matinee viewing on opening day, May 3, in Davenport, IA.) The action, the resemblance to the true-comic book Spidey's lanky but muscular stature, his Yoga-like stringy but athletic movements were all kept true to form on the big screen. He's never been a big guy, and wasn't portrayed that way. Perfect!
Which brings me to Tobey Maguire. I'll be honest: I think he was a perfect pick to play Peter Parker. (Sidebar: Interesting tidbit. His last name was Parker in "Pleasantville" too, when he acts as Bud in the black and white world.) There are of course naysayers, but the heck with them. He's an unlikely choice for a superhero movie, which makes it all the better--Spider-Man is the unlikely hero. A high school kid, who takes a multi-tiered journey into unexpected greatness. And the movie does an excellent job of nailing his history down perfectly. The actors who play Aunt May and Uncle Ben are great, particularly May of course, as she's a constant positive force in Peter's life further down the road at all times.
Kirsten Dunst was good, she was pretty and fun (and yes, looked very good in the rain), but... I saw an interview with her I believe on Jay Leno a night or two before seeing the movie, and she just didn't seem "in" to it all. More like she got accepted in the role, but she never really loved her character, or at least didn't take the time to become intimate. Though maybe that was just a first impression. Tobey, like Chris Reeve did with Superman, treated the opportunity and the character with respect and admiration, and it showed on screen. I guess I didn't get that feel with Dunst.
But like I said, just small blemishes. Nothing takes away from Spider-Man being a knockout movie, hands-down blowing away most movies I've seen in the recent past. It's good to see Marvel Comics back on their feet, after filing for bankruptcy a few years ago. The movies should help a lot. X-Men was terrific, and a big hit, and now Spidey has his own franchise. Plus there was a trailer for The Hulk, and I know through comicbook magazines and such that DareDevil: The Man Without Fear is up for production too. All should be terrific if the same great admiration is paid to them as were for Spidey.
As a bit of a last-minute edit, now that some new comments are present, there's a comment one or two behind mine addressing some "mistakes" made by the film(makers). One was asking how Spider-Man didn't obliterate Flash when they got in the fistfight in school, if he's so strong. For the same reason Superman doesn't kill Lois Lane when he kisses her--control. Not that hard.
Anyway, way to go, Web Head. It's been a long time waiting, but well, well worth it.
-Chris