All the subtlety of a sledgehammer...

Rating: 6/10 (9 May 2002)

... but that's OK in a comic book film. Perhaps unfortunately, this has all been done before in the first couple "Batman" films, and the first couple "Superman" films. The entire movie carried a weight of "haven't I seen this scene before?" over and over again.
I'm a great fan of the original "Spiderman" series of comic books (which I read avidly as a kid), but I have to agree with Ebert on this one -- the action just looks unrealistic. A physical body cannot move that quickly or smoothly, defying the laws of space, time and gravity. That took a lot of fun out of the action sequences for me.
The plot itself is interesting and involving, but *very* rehashed from a number of other superhero-type movies. Nary an original moment in the entire running-time of the film... nothing genuinely creative at all. "Spiderman cereal" will probably leave a sweeter taste in your mouth.
My conclusion is that I can't recommend you pay US$7.50 to see this one in the theater, unless you honestly loved the recent "Planet of the Apes" remake and the two "Mummy" films. Wait for the DVD release (rumored to be in November 2002 I think), the film will look just as good (if not better) on the small screen.
This movie is NOT a blockbuster... see the 1978 version of "Superman" if you want superhero action, it out-does this film in every conceivable aspect (even the special effects category).
6/10