Enjoyed both the story and up-to-date presentation. (minor spoiler)

Rating: Null/10 (13 May 2002)

I think M.J. finally realized her true feelings for nice-guy-next-door Peter Parker, and I wish that happened more in real life. Too bad people get so wrapped up in HAVING we often forget what they already HAVE.
The movie was great for me, and I thought Sam Raimi did an excellent job adapting the Spiderman story for the big screen. After seeing Peter's Uncle Ben, played by Cliff Robertson, I began to recall some fragments of the spidey story from my youth. "Doesn't his Uncle die?" I asked my wife, and she replied, "I don't remember." But it has been so long since I watched the cartoons and listened to the Spiderman vinyl long-playing (LP) record album my brother and I were given! If only I still had that today, it might actually be worth something 25+ years later! (and I think it had the Green Goblin as a featured character as well, maybe Dr. Octopus too!)
The movie is long but we rate how "good" it is by the amount of "seat-surfing" we do or whether the nerves in our butts begin to tingle from lack of blood flow and oxygen! Ha! I am very happy to report that Spider-Man truly made me forget I even have a butt and allowed me to get wrapped up in the story all over again!
ONE MINOR POINT OF AGGRAVATION: This movie is NOT, repeat NOT, for children under the Age of 5! Parents, please, please do everyone a favor (and help the economy) by hiring a baby-sitter! My wife was astonished to see one couple bringing in an infant baby in carrier in addition to their 3 other young children, but thankfully they sat in the nose-bleed seats above everyone else.
I can't say the same for the 4 or 5 year old girl that talked incessantly throught the entire movie, and kicked my wife's seat (which she didn't inform me of until afterwards). "Mommy where is Spider-Man's Uncle?" and "Mommy why is that man [the Green Goblin] trying to hurt Spider-Man?" gets really old, really quick! (Sorry if any parents are offended by this, but...) This movie is a combination action-adventure and life values drama, and there is no way a child under age 7 or 8 is going to understand better than 40% of the plot. Let alone the violence, references to insanity, use of experimental drugs, killing of U.S. Military personnel (and civilians), and other references to genetic engineering. Good grief!
(this is turning into more of a Spoiler than I thought)
I thought the ending was just fine. When MJ kissed Peter Parker and he says something about only having friendship to give, then she touched her lips in realization of the ACTUAL truth? (Duh!) She knows the scoop by the end of the movie, but I can't remember if this agrees with the original Spider-Man 2D story or not. It is a variation on Lois Lane's quandary in knowing Superman, and being in love with the man who saved her life. (Superheroes all have pretty awful love lives if you want my opinion)
I can't wait for the sequel, and I want to know if Peter Parker's going to reveal the impact of his "accidental" exposure to the genetically enhanced spider in the research lab!? What would the world be like with more than one Spider-Man running around? (There's a real 'the military could exploit this' weapon for you!)