A new and exciting era for spider-man!

Rating: 9/10 (18 September 2009)

A friend once said to me that characters from a book, comic or computer game cannot be made into a successful film.
Based on the evidence of this film he is wrong.
Spiderman has been faithfully adapted from the old worn down but classic comic books of the fifties and onto the big screen. And it is fantastic.
Sam Raimi a director before this who I was not familiar with had made this a winner.
The concept of the character and the surrounding story is spot on. Toby Maguire plays Peter Parker/Spiderman with real understanding. He conveys the right tone a being smart but awkward around the love of his life Mary Jane Watson but and has the wit and the looks to show heart.
Support from James Franco and Kirsten Dunst as Harry and Mary Jane keeps the central storyline strong.
Who ultimately steals the show is Willem Dafoe who plays the villain. The Green Goblin.
He dominates the screen with his menacing fashion and a hilariously cackling laughter making the Goblin a fearsome adversary.
And the whole thing is done with splat stick humour on the side, which helps the characters develop.
The special effects such as the Spidey's suit and the Green Goblin is excellent against the backdrop of set.
A couple of minor criticisms about the film, which stopped me giving it a ten was that some of the special effects were a bit cliché in places noticeably when Spiderman is flying and character development like with JK Simmons could have gone further.
But pushing that aside. This is a highly entertaining superhero blockbuster that captures the tone and essence of the comics and what promises to be a new and exciting era for Spiderman!