Surprisingly intimate

Rating: Null/10 (21 June 2004)

Having seen Sam Raimi's 2002 box-office smash 'Spider-Man' for the umpteenth time (re-watching it just in time for its apparently better sequel's release), the film's value has not diminished since I saw it during its theatrical release.
I'm not a Spider-Man fan, as I didn't know that much about it before I saw the movie. But with the recent wave of comic book movies I've gotten interested in US comic book culture and from the very first frame it's clear Raimi knows what he's doing. He gets Peter Parker and does a very good job of fleshing out the characters, allowing them to have quiet, tender moments amidst the carnage caused by the mad Green Goblin (played by a scene-chewing Willem Dafoe, great as always). Maguire looks the part and displays an impressive amount of vulnerability, fish-out-of-water clueless-ness and childlike enthusiasm. He also holds his own when the movie enters darker territory and proves himself to be able to handle comedy, as seen in the very Raimi-esque, hilarious wrestle scene ("Bone Saw is reeeeeaaaaadyyyyyy!"). Kirsten Dunst also delivers, breaking through the confinements of what could easily have been just another damsel in distress part. James Franco gets little to do but proves himself worthy of bigger and better things to come for his character. I won't forget to mention J.K. Simmons' portrayal of Jameson. He's over-the-top and crazy as hell and plows through his scenes like some unstoppable force of nature.
The movie is at his best when Raimi cuts loose, allowing his quirky camera-movements and Evil Dead-isms to creep in. But Raimi is not as confident as he should have been (a problem that - I've read - has been solved in the sequel) and somehow fails to deliver unforgettable action scenes. Those that are here are decent enough - even though the CGI gets obvious at times - but Raimi never seems to have these completely under control and they feel generic and thrown together, so we can get back to a character moment (mind you, the burning house scene - how short it may be - is nicely done).
Nonetheless, Spider-Man proves himself to be a keeper, a truly successful comic book movie, right up there with Burtons Batman and Singers X2.
As an origin movie, it's the best of the bunch. As a big budget action flick, it could use a bit more work. But that's what the sequel's for. I'll see you in theaters!
K