Probably the best comic book adaptation since "Superman:The Movie" * * * * *

Rating: Null/10 (6 May 2002)

"Spider-Man" is probably the most entertaining film that I have seen for the Summer holiday movie season.I like to look at it as the film that would knock "X-Men" off the ground."X-Men" was entertaining also and I also enjoyed it for its style and action.But "Spider-Man" has so much humor and it also does a good job explaining Spider-Man's origin.The film was nearly made a decade ago by James Cameron.But there was some trouble with some legal issues.There was no telling what James Cameron's vision of "Spider-Man" would have been like.The character has been around for fourty years and has been featured in comics and even had its own television show by CBS.That show was campy and wasn't even exciting.Only an eight year old would enjoy it.The theatrical version of "Spider-Man" is fun for everyone and is alot more faithful to the comic than the television show.Among the film's highlights are its cast.Tobey Maguire was perfectly cast as Peter Parker and Spider-Man.Among the other actors who were up for the role was Freddie Prinze,Jr,Heath Ledger and James Franco who played James Dean in "James Dean".The filmmakers chose Tobey Maguire which I think is the best casting for this film since Christopher Reeve for his "Superman" films.Tobey is just right for the role and provides alot of humor throughout the film.I don't think anyone else would have been great for the role of The Green Goblin but Willem Dafoe.He doesn't play The Green Goblin.He is The Green Goblin.His performance reminds me of Jack Nicholson's performance of The Joker in "Batman".The film also is delivered the goods with its casting of Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson. She's more like Lois Lane from the "Superman" films.The special effects are among the best that I have seen and the direction by Sam Raimi keeps the film true to it's comic book."Spider-Man" is a film that was meant to entertain and it does a pretty good job at doing that.I had a talk with my brother over the phone who is also a member of this site.Out of respect for him,I will not mention his name.But I will explain that we both had seen the film and that I explained that "Superman:The Movie" was better.I looked at "Superman:The Movie" as the bible of comic book adaptations.I look at "Spider-Man" as a film that was brought to the screen with great accuracy.I have seen this film twice and I am going to see it over and over again."Spider-Man" could have been made at anytime during it's fourty year existense.But thankfully,it was on the waiting list until the time was right."Spider-Man" is probably one of the best films of 2002.