Jon Monsarrat review: Better than X-Men, mix of good & cheesy

Rating: 7/10 (3 May 2002)

Let me start by saying that I am not a crazy-eyed comic book fan. I acknowledge that Superman and the gang are pretty silly and due for an update and revamp. Audiences have gotten a lot more sophisticated since the 1950s.
Spider-Man has stood out as more modern and intelligent among comic heros. But so is Batman, and look what happened to his shtick-from-hell sub-intellectual movies. So, I was fearful but hopeful that Spider-Man would do better that the X-Men, which took a stab at deep characterization that didn't come off, and whose visuals and action were overly cheesy.
Spider-Man succeeded. The first half of the film is a real delight, being the origin of Spider-Man. Tobey Maguire, who I enjoyed in "Cider House Rules" and "Wonder Boys", carried the film, and is destined for an Academy Award at some point in my opinion. The filmmakers pass up numerous opportunities to be cheesy, making it solid and real and making Peter Parker out to be a regular guy who's just so well-meaning and so down-trodden. Believe it or not, it brought tears to my eyes, and I'm not an emotional film-goer (got through E.T. dry-eyed).
Unfortunately, the second half of the film devolves into the X-Men style campiness. I think there was probably too much plotting, trying to cram in a lot of the Spider-Man story, and in the rush it didn't have the emotional impact of the first half. Bigger, bigger, yet bigger stunts, but sort of haphazardly thrown together (who's responsible for that, the cinematographer?). Flying around, computer graphics, even shouting cheezy lines back and forth between good guys and bad guys.
I was most disappointed in the acting by Kirsten Dunst, the silliness of the Green Goblin costume, and the city scenes which were obviously sets. Also, since there have been many Spider-Man enemies, it's a shame they chose the Green Goblin, one of the sillier baddies. I think they should have gone for the Octopus guy instead, or Kingpin.
Overall, it was certainly worth seeing for someone like me with an affinity for comics. I doubt it will win the "golden prize" which is being a big hit with the broader mainstream, however.
Who should see this film:
-- Action film buffs who got through The X-Men; this one's better
and a whole lot better than any of the Batman films
-- Comic book fans -- a must-see
-- Tobey Maguire fans, but don't expect any deep romance.
I'll give this film a 7 out of 10, the average of a great first half and a so-so second half.