Spider-Man

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirstin Dunst, Willem Defoe, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Joe Manganiello, Gerry Becker, Bill Nunn, Michael Papajohn, Elizabeth Banks, Bruce Campbell, Octavia Spencer, Sara Ramirez, Lucy Lawless
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action
2002

Times Seen:
Tim: 7

Summary: After being bitten by a radioactive spider, high schooler Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) develops spider-like powers. He uses them selfishly, trying to win the girl of his dream, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), until his uncle is killed by a carjacker. He dons the Spider-Man mask to bring his uncle's killer to justice- and starts fighting crime. After a brilliant scientist is injected with a performance enhancing gas (which also drives him crazy, Spider-Man must face his toughest foe yet- the Green Goblin.

Review:

Tim: Spider-Man has and always will be my all-time favorite comic book character. I collected his comics as a kid, and a marveled (haha) over his character. When Uncle Ben says, "With great power comes great responsibility," you know that you're not dealing with just another comic book hero. Spider-Man is different- we can more easily relate to him because he's one of us- a high school nerd who one day acquires amazing powers... and struggles with his own identity before he decides to use his powers for good. Spider-Man had a sense of humor. He could be fighting in a deadly battle, and still find time to get in a few wisecracks.

When this movie was first announced, I was so unbelievably excited, yet also a bit nervous. If this movie got me so excited and pumped up, and then sucked.... well, I knew that I would cry for a month. How could a director and his team create a movie illustrating everything I just explained about Spider-Man's greatness? I was worried. Luckily, I had no reason to be.

Spider-Man is one of my all-time favorite movies. I saw it 3 times in the theater within the first two weeks it came out. I apparently wasn't alone, because the movie racked up over $400 million at the box office, making it the 5th highest grossing movie of all time.

Sam Raimi should be congratulated a thousand times over. When he first cast Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, many people were outraged. They figured this was the first step towards ruining the movie. Much to the delight of all Spidey fans, Maguire is absolutely perfect in the role. No one in Hollywood could have played it better. Kirsten Dunst is surprisingly likeable as redheaded Mary Jane. Willem Defoe, though at times ridiculous, makes a perfect Green Goblin.

This movie has everything- it introduces the background and characters quickly and enjoyably, and has enough action, mixed in with true dramatic scenes with the characters, and manages to get in Spider-Man's humor as well. This is a tremendous movie, a highlight in my movie watching history. I absolutely love this movie, and believe it cannot be topped.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 10



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
X-Men, X2: X-Men United, The Hulk, Daredevil, The Punisher, Spider-Man 2