The perfect origin story for the not-so-perfect superhero!

Rating: 10/10 (19 April 2007)

As a Spider-Man fan since childhood, I -like his legions of fans- were eagerly awaiting to see how the web-head's first adventure on the big screen was gonna fare. I knew from the get-go they were gonna tell his origin story, so we probably wouldn't see Spidey swinging through New York 'til at least 20 minutes into the movie. I liked the changes Sam Raimi made from the source material, especially the organic web shooters.
The origins of Spider-Man and his nemesis the Green Goblin are also very well told. I especially love how the origins parallel one another. I also enjoyed the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde complexity they gave Norman and the Goblin.
The cast is absolutely brilliant. I totally believed Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker and Spider-Man. I could definitely tell Willem Dafoe was enjoying himself playing Norman Osborn and the Green Goblin. Kirsten Dunst was perfect to play Mary Jane Watson. Cliff Robertson was so good as Uncle Ben, that I nearly cried when he was gone. I could go on...
Danny Elfman's score does it all: It's full of action, adventure, romance, mystery and angst. I especially love the creepy quality of the Green Goblin's theme. It definitely felt like Elfman was sneaking in some of his love of Bernard Herrman into the picture. Not that there's anything wrong with that, mind you.
The visual effects were absolutely fantastic for the time that this film came out. That final swing at the end really made me feel elated, yet I was also filled with a sense of wonder as to what they'd do in a second film. Long story short, what Sam Raimi did for "Spider-Man" is what Richard Donner did for "Superman". 10 out of 10 all the way!