"Spider-Man" Amazes Again!

Rating: 8/10 (5 June 2002)

This year, "Spider-Man" became an unexpected contender in the summer movie race. I'd say it may not have completely lived up to the hype that was built up for it, but it does deserve the success it's getting. The visual effects are impressive, showing breathtaking acrobatics you'd swear were done by a real human! One thing I appreciate about "Spider-Man" is that it's not too campy. That's a factor that can happen often with comic book superhero movies (i.e., "Batman and Robin"). Tobey Maguire plays his role well, not only as Spider-Man, but as Peter Parker, insecure high school victim. And Kirsten Dunst was well cast as Mary Jane Watson, with her girl-next-door looks. Many comic book purists will scoff at the little liberties taken with the original comic book, such as the organic web spinners and the genetically-enhanced spider, rather than having it be radioactive. (Doesn't quite fit in with the lyric "Is he strong? Listen, bud/He's got radioactive blood," does it?) But then, these people probably also had similar complaints about "Batman" and "X-Men." But it's undeniable that comic books, long dismissed as immature, are becoming more and more accepted in American culture. And comics-adapted movies like "Spider-Man" are helping contribute to that.