Overall Excellent. But...

Rating: 9/10 (5 May 2002)

Wow!! This was a fairly faithful to the book movie of Spider-man and I loved it. It was a fast-paced, action-packed and fun movie. Most important, the kids loved it. SPOILER ALERT Having said all that, there was some things that should have been cut to add to the pace and be more true to the comic:
Cut 1) Ben saying he was laid off and needed a job. There was no mention of that in the comic, and besides a 68 year-old man and his wife are getting a nice SS check plus his small pension, with mortgage paid off. So it didn't make sense and dragged the pace. -cut that-
Cut 2) Having Mary Jane as his next door neighbor and the mentioning of the drunk dad. It wasn't so in the comic. They usually got together about town. That dragged the pace and made her less chic as she was in the comic. -cut that-
Cut 3) At the end at Osbornes funeral, Peter's talk with Mary Jane was too somber. Mary Jane was always more upbeat and flip with the gab. -cut that and replace it with them having a lighter conversation in town.
Now listing the things I would have cut, here are things I would add.
Scene 1 to add) In the comic book origin, when Peter headed home after been bit by the spider, he staggered out in the street and was almost hit by a car. As he leapt out the way, his body flew into a building and he stuck to the wall. That would have been a more impactful scene instead of him 'gradually' noticing his powers.
Scene 2 to add) In the movie, Peter seemed more confused and befuddled by the abuse he was taking from the other teens. But in the book he was downright ANGRY!! Notice what he says in the very first appearance of Spider-Man when they make fun of him. "Some day I'll show them. Some day they'll be sorry! Sorry that they laughed at me!"
Scene 3 to add) I would have liked to see an intermediate scene where he shows HOW he would be a crime-fighter. It seems like after the capture of Ben's killer, he jumps right into it. I would have like it to be more gradual, like maybe some petty crimes of loud kids on the bus or subway messing with the passengers, while he was in his regular clothes.
Scene 4 to add) Banter during the fights. Spidey did it all all time and it was funny. So I missed that.
But aside from that, I was happy with the film and felt that Raimi gave us a faithful adaptation.