Pretty Good

Rating: 8/10 (6 May 2002)

As usual, no over-hyped film can meet my expectations, but the more I think about "Spider-Man", the better I think it is.
First, the good points: The acting is good, the story is strong and the effects are great(though at first they seem a little fake). Once Spidey and the Green Goblin started fighting I was in heaven. The film also makes some good changes from the comic, like Pete not making the webshooters, and the pivotal scene with Uncle Ben is done more believably.
Now the bad points: Too much build-up. The film is more than half over before we see a fully-costumed Spider-Man. It seems like he's only in the last 45 minutes or so. Unfortunately, that's when the film really kicks into high gear, and it's too little too late. I enjoy a good story too, but like 1989's "Batman" we see too little of the hero. I hope the sequel will make up for it. If the film had another half hour or so of Spidey in action, it would have been great.
Overall, a good but not great comic adaptation. Better than Batman or the X-Men, but not as good as Superman. 8 out of 10.