It may be a summer blockbuster but it's actually quite good

Rating: Null/10 (27 June 2002)

Peter Parker is a dorky kid going through adolescent changes. However in his case they are changes brought on by a bite from a genetically enhanced spider. In a difficult lesson Peter learns that his gifts bring him responsibility. Meanwhile the father of Peter's friend, Norman Osborn is developing a hover platform and strength enhancers for the military. When he faces losing the contract he takes the treatment himself  creating the Green Goblin, who wrecks havoc on the city  with only Spiderman able to stop him.
With some comic adaptations the end results have been disappointing (The Punisher, most of the Batman films etc), however here this is one of recent successes including X-Men. It may well make changes to the original legend but it's really only things that'll annoy geeks who spend too much time on the internet arguing over whether Iron Man could beat Batman in a fight! The plot has enough to it to distract. The creation of both Spiderman and the Green Goblin are enjoyable over the first half. Peter's `experimentations' in his bedroom can be taken any way you want it! However when the Goblin and Spiderman being to battle it is nice and simple  there's no plot to take over the city, no plan to freeze the world or any silliness like that, it's a simple battle between a good guy and a baddie.
In many bits the effects are surprisingly poor  not as bad as I thought they might be, but still bad. There are many bits where the computer characters don't look real  not just in terms of their movement but more in terms of their looks, in places it doesn't even look as good as the computer game. Having said that, for most they blend effects and live action together well. The Goblin's suit doesn't match the comic and it looks a bit like something out of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, but they use it well although one scene with him does look like something out of Godzilla!
The cast are actually what makes the film. Maguire makes a good Spiderman  he's a goofy looking kid and a good actor. He doesn't have Spiderman's one-liners but he makes a good character, even when he's behind the mask he manages to bring a certain amount of humanity to the role. Dafoe ran the risk of losing credibility by being a serious actor who goes for the money and get dressed up in a monster suit for a FX movie! However he is actually really good  you almost forget how silly it could have been. There are some really good scenes where he's facing his alter ego and it could have been daft but he carries it off  shows what a good actor he is. Dunst is good  she really isn't much more than a Louis Lane character but she is good and her character has a good background. My favourite character is J. Jonah Jameson  he's exactly like he's meant to be and is very funny in a hyper sort of way! The actor who plays him (J.K. Simmons) is probably best known for his role in Oz, the HBO series. If you know him in that, then it's weird to see the actor who plays, well, basically the Devil, playing this type of thing  but hats off, he's really good and looks just like the comic book. The support cast has some famous faces  like Bill Nunn, Ted Rami and a few others, and it's nice to see Rami's favourite actor Bruce Campbell in a small role.
Overall I must admit I expected to be let down but, apart from dodgy effects this is a good summer movie. Plenty of good action and fun but also good performances all round. The only problem I see is that half this film was filled up with creating the characters  what will part 2 do to fill that time?