Good, but not great

Rating: 9/10 (23 May 2002)

After the first viewing, I thought it was a 10/10. Second time, 9.5/10. Third time, 8.5/10. A list of the good and the bad:
The good: 1. The acting. I love Willem Dafoe. He is the most versatile actor I've ever seen. Tobey Maguire was decent and cute. Kirsten Dunst is pretty enough and has enough charm and spunk to pull off the MJ character. And J.K. Simmons was excellent! (Call the patent office. I want a quarter every time someone says Green Goblin! that was really funny) 2. The script. It was good (not Oscar worthy) but entertaining with only a few holes. Although some of Maguire's monologues to Dunst were mediocre. Someone was actually laughing at the scene in the hospital when Maguire tells Dunst that he told Spiderman she was beautiful, etc, etc. 3. Director. Raimi does a great job of getting his characters to work together. He really brings Spiderman to life. The webslinging scenes were especially good. 4. Music. Danny Elfman was really good. His music was on cue, unlike Williams, who had good music, but it wasn't on cue at all. 5. Willem Dafoe! 'Itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout, down came the goblin and wiped the spider out. 6. Cool CGI, even if SW: the Clones had better CGI, Spiderman's was more believable and less rowdy and crowded.
The bad: SPOILERS 1. Plot holes become more and more visible each time you watch it. Such as, if Parker had to sign a consent form at the wrestling match and show his face, wouldn't someone recognize him as Spiderman later on? 2. I was just wondering how Parker managed to get the Green Goblin's suit off of Norman after he died, and why wasn't he bleeding? Ok, I'm not a science major so fill me in please. 3. MJ realizes something after kissing Parker in the funeral scene. So, why doesn't she run after him? Hello? 4. Of course, just like Superman, it's obvious Parker is Spiderman but that's part of almost all superhero stories. 5. Why doesn't the Green Goblin pull off Spiderman's mask when he knocks him out with gas? It'd be a whole lot easier to get him on your side! 6. Why didn't MJ go after Harry in high school if she wanted a rich boy? Well then again, I think Flash Thompson had some money. 7. This one person in my theatre was laughing at all the Green Goblin scenes when Norman is battling his split personality. That can't be good, can it? Even though I thought Dafoe did a memorable job. 8. MJ really would have had died in the final confrontation scene, ie her arms would have popped out when she fell like fifty feet. 9. Batman is more cool because he's more human and more vulnerable.
In any case, I'm not trying to fight with the SW fans, but Spiderman is really a whole lot better than the Clones. It's not perfect but I was entertained. Can't wait for the sequel!
8.5/10