A Worthy Adaptation

Rating: Null/10 (5 May 2002)

Spider-Man produced a film that was highly faithful to the spirit of the comic books and the evolution of the character. He was initially selfish with his powers, learning about them and neglecting his chores, and then using them to beat the bullying Flash Thompson in a fight. The wrestling match was a part of comic lore, but it was nicely condensed into both his desire to impress M.J. (getting money to buy a car), and refusing to stop the burgler that killed his uncle after he was cheated out of his rightful winnings. After that, he used his powers unselfishly; fighting crime and protecting the innocent.
On the flip side, we have Norman Osborn, and his evolution into the Green Goblin. He also gained great power, but used them to defeat his business rivals and murder the board of directors who were going to sell out his company and fire him. Granted, he was insane, but it was the risk he took to further his own agenda. Predictably, it put him at odds with Spider-Man, and as in tradition, learned Peter's secret, and used it against the people he loved best.
To round out the cast, we have Harry Osborn, Peter's best friend, who wrongly blames Spider-Man for his father's death (and sets the stage for his eventual decent into madness and the role of the second Green Goblin), and Mary Jane Watson. A confused girl from an abusive household, she eventually realized she'd had crushes on the wrong men her entire life. Flash was a bully, Harry wouldn't stand up for her, and even in the end, the heroic Spider-Man wasn't the right man for her. She realized it was Peter, who didn't care if she was poor and waiting tables, who truly cared for her, and she for him. In the closing scene, she almost certainly guessed his secret (from both Peter's words to her, and her expression and the way she felt her lips... she'd been kissed like that before).
Other fun features were the short appearances of the Daily Bugle staff, the crime scene notes (compliments of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man), and even a reference to Dr. Conners (a scientist who eventually becomes the villain The Lizard).
What would I like to see in a sequel? MJ confessing her knowledge of Peter's secret to him, more of the Daily Bugle staff, and a single villain (unlike most super-hero sequels, which tend to feature villain team-ups); preferably Doctor Octopus. Doc Ock is probably Spidey's foremost nemesis, and it would be nice to see how that megalomaniac tries to turn four extra arms into world dominiation.