Spider-Man

Rating: 8/10 (7 July 2005)

If you are a fan of the really popular Marvel Comics super hero, or a fan of The Evil Dead from the same director, Sam Raimi, then you'll love this great high tech film. Peter Parker (at first unthinkable Tobey Maguire), the ordinary teen who is in love with Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). One day on a school trip to a genetics laboratory, he is bitten by a genetically engineered super spider, and he goes through radical changes. He eventually practises his abilities, and after the death and revenge of his Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson), he becomes the saviour for New York, web-swinging, crime fighting superhero Spider-Man. Meanwhile, Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe) has a similar "accident" where he injects a performance enhancing drug, and becomes evil alter ego, The Green Goblin. Also starring James Franco as Harry Osborn, Rosemary Harris as May Parker, J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson, Bill Nunn as Joseph 'Robbie' Robertson, Ted Raimi (Sam's brother) as Hoffman and The Evil Dead's Bruce Campbell as Ring Announcer. With great action, some light violence, great music by Danny Elfman (he also did Batman), a love story and great special effects, fun for everyone. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects, and it was nominated the BAFTA for Best Special Visual Effects. It was number 46 on The 100 Greatest Family Films. Very good!