Plot never gets off to a solid roll or pace.

Rating: Null/10 (4 May 2002)

Leading off the summer 2002 film season is Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man," the story of a bullied high school senior who is bitten by a genetically mutated spider to become a somewhat tragic superhero. Toby Mcguire's Peter Parker/Spider-Man is very likeable and it is great fun watching Spidey swing through the caverns of New York City. And, as usual, Willem Defoe becomes totally absorbed in his Jeckle/Hyde role as Norman Osborn/Green Goblin. As with all his roles, Defoe appears to be having so much fun with his character that he makes himself fun to watch. But alas, the parts are better than the whole. While colorful CGI images of the Green Goblin flying through the air, tossing bombs and tackling Spider-Man, (who looks so cool) fed my appetite for enjoyment, the plot never quite got off to a solid roll or pace, bouncing between the story of Parker's tragic love for MJ (Kirsten Dunst), his own coming of age angst, and the Goblin's quest for revenge. But by the end, Parker has accepted his lot in life and the Goblin's hate for Spider-Man is passed to Osborn's son (Parkers best friend) so the story can continue in a sequel. And you can count on me to be standing in line with my ticket.. Hopefully, by then, the story will be rolling along just fine.