Comic relief

Rating: 9/10 (7 March 2004)

Spiderman may go down as the most refreshing movie of the last decade. Refreshing amidst the three Batman debocles as well as countless summer big-budget disgraces. Attempting not to win the top honors at the Sundance, Spiderman manages to take an icon that is worshipped within a certain domain (those who follow comic books) and lets it flow to anyone who would give it an eye. Director Raimi sticks soundly enough to the original story not to offend the loyal while at the same time allowing notions of a more popular culture to intervene without blurring the purpose of the film. The action sequences are superb, computer-aided and not, and while the characters may not be unforgettable, they certainly all work on the same page, which is a true rarity in film today.