Simply Amazing

Rating: 10/10 (3 May 2002)

Sam Raimi's Spider-Man ranks up there between Richard Donner's Superman and Tim Burton's Batman. What sets it apart from other superhero movies is it's heart. Raimi was a smart choice to direct because of his love for this character and his determination to make it more than just a two dimensional action movie. Spider-Man, (created in 1962 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko) was the first comic book hero to have real problems and the movie centers that around all the action. He worrys about money, dates, and all the problems a normal teenager suffers, which is why the characters popularity rivals that of Superman or Batman. When Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire who was the right choice) becomes Spider-Man he uses his new found powers not to fight evil, but to make money. After being stiffed by the promoter of a wrestling match, he heads toward the elevator at the same moment a crook is running down the hall chased by a cop yelling at Peter to stop him..He does not, thinking it's not his problem. That same crook would then go on and kill his beloved Uncle Ben in a carjacking incident. Peter is beside himself with guilt knowing he could have stopped the crook, but did'nt. The movie then moves in a very fast pace which is typical of Raimi's movies, The action scenes are exciting to watch from the battles with Spider and the Green Goblin.
Willem Dafoe is one of the best onscreen comic book villians since Jack Nicholson's Joker, his scenes alone are worth the price of admission, Kirsten Dunst also does a good job as Peter's love interest as Mary Jane Watson. The one problem I do have with the movie is the Green Goblin costume, It looks like something out of Power Rangers!! J.K. Simmons small part as Daily Bugle publisher J.Jonah Jameson is also hilarious. Spider-Man delivers big time!!