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Spider-Man (movie)

A movie directed by Sam Raimi

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The First Big Marvel Blockbuster was Worth the Wait!

Dec 5, 2009

by MichaelN

Rating:

It took many years to get this project done and it certainly delivers as not only a great super hero story but a great film in general that has something to please all movie-goers. From Peter's relationships with his Uncle and Aunt, his persuit of Mary Jane, and the valuable lesson he learns when he abuses his powers (with great power comes great responsibility).

Toby Maguire became a household name from this film and Kurstin Dunst is excellent as Mary Jane. For those of you familiar with the Spiderman tale the beginning to this film is quite similar. Peter Parker, school science genius and nerd, gets constantly picked on. His main tormenter is Flash Thompson who is the school jock and the boyfriend of Parker's neighbor (Mary Jane, who Peter has a crush on).

One day at a science exhibit Peter is bitten by a scientifically enhanced spider. After being sick for a day, Peter awakens refreshed and has gained powers such as the ability to cling to walls superior strength and he finds he no longer needs glasses.

Instead of using his powers as he should, he tries to use them to win over Mary Jane's affections. This lapse of judgement has dire consequences for one of his loved ones.

The special effects were amazing at the time that this came out and the choice of the Green Goblin as the tortured Norman Osbourn for Spiderman's first enemy was perfect. J. Jonah Jameson's character is hilarious and look for a cameo from the wrestler Randy the Macho Man Savage. Whatever you do, don't miss this one. Really worth owning on DVD!

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woopak_the_thrill December 06, 2009

This was good but I liked Spider-man 2 a lot better despite any flaws the direction may have. I hated # 3 though and I cringe to think what Raimi would do with another sequel...nice write up!

MichaelN December 06, 2009

I'm in total agreement with you! Thanks.

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Scotman December 06, 2009

Great review. Funny coincidence that I wrote a review for the same film before I saw you already posted one. I realized how many films I have yet to review after writing my Top Ten films for the last ten years.

MichaelN December 06, 2009

Thanks Scotman. It is no coincidence at all. I saw your review and did not see mine so I realized that mine had gotten lost somewhere so I reposted it.

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More Spider-Man (movie) reviews

review by Stephanie_Smith19. March 16, 2011

Spiderman

I was pretty late jumping on to the Spiderman bandwagon, although I had seen some of the comics when I was younger and was relatively familiar with the universe. Thankfully for some, this is an origin story, so you don't have to be familiar with the comics at all to see and enjoy this. Spiderman is not perfect, but it's pretty good and provides a huge dose of web-slinging fun as well as some great heart thanks to its charming lead actors and entertaining villain. Spiderman 2 is the better … more

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review by vampire_eyez. July 18, 2010

posted in Movie Hype

go web go

I'm not really a huge spider-man fan, i never really liked the comic books, and other than this one none of the movies really appealed to me. One of the things that made this movie so popular is the truly amazing special effects used. The computer animation is so good that its very difficult to see the difference between the real action and the CGI. The story was very well laid out and interesting enough to encourage the viewer to finish the movie. This is another one of those action movies … more

Comments (1) Compliments (22)

Quick Tip by TheJohn. August 05, 2010

A Quick Tip by TheJohn

A little slow to start and a little talky but the movie really gets the web swinger's first adventure off to a great start.

Comment Compliments (3)

Quick Tip by JaseSea. July 20, 2010

posted in Movie Hype

A Quick Tip by JaseSea

The movie that started the superhero movie craze, actually was entertaining and visually appealing.

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Quick Tip by gmosaki. July 12, 2010

posted in Movie Hype

A Quick Tip by gmosaki

Entertaining movie with great special effects. Not happy with the way they have Peter become Spiderman in this movie.

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review by Lopez15. November 08, 2009

The movie that started the revolution....

When I heard they had made a big screen, live action adaption of one of Marvels most profitable and most popular heroes, Spider-Man I was a little less than enthusiastic seeing as I grew up watching the Spider-Man 1994 animated series when I was younger. But after finally viewing it and seeing it for what it is, Sam Rami's Spider-Man is a masterstroke among the comic book films and is quite possible the film that started the Marvel revolution. … more

Comments (2) Compliments (24)

Quick Tip by TheJohn. May 04, 2010

A Quick Tip by TheJohn

Spiderman learns of his powers and stops a super powered criminal in The Green Goblin. Slow at times and fun at others.

Comment Compliments (3)

review by Steveo. June 21, 2008

posted in Movie Hype

Excellent Debut For Spidey

This review will be split into three sections, they will be The Story, The Characters & The Verdict. This will give you a fair and true description of the movie and its characters and will give you my personal opinion of the movie which should help you make an informed decision on whether to watch this film for the first time or whether to stay away like you have already done for six years. The Story: Tobey Maguire plays Peter Parker an aspiring photographer who one day is … more

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review by MichaelN. September 17, 2004

posted in Movie Hype

Worth Owning!

Sam Rami needs to be congratulated on making a film that totally outdoes its predecessor. Tobey McGuire is great and is one of the most likeable characters (re: Peter Parker) that I have seen in a film in a long time. Alfred Molina is great as one of the more charismatic villains that have ever been portrayed on the screen. I found myself cheering several times throughout the movie. Peter Parker can't seem to hold a job (he's killing a pizza business that promises on-time … more

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review by MichaelN. January 22, 2004

posted in Movie Hype

Was Well Worth the Wait

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see all Spider-Man (movie) reviews (16)

About the reviewer

MichaelN
Ranked #11

I first got on this blog to discuss my first passion which is books. Since I have gotten on I find that books are only a piece of this blog and I can discuss just about anything that comes to mind. It … more

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About this movie

Wiki

Based on the classic Marvel Comics series, Sam Raimi's SPIDER-MAN deftly details the origin of the web-slinging superhero. When awkward New York City teenager Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) attends a class field trip to a laboratory, he gets bitten by a genetically altered spider while taking photos of his longtime crush, the lovely Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). Soon he discovers this bite has given him remarkable powers--heightened strength, dexterity, and awareness, along with the ability to cling to walls and shoot webs from his wrists. Hoping to win Mary Jane's heart using his new talents, Peter becomes distracted from home life with his doting Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) and Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson), ultimately leading to tragedy--and his new role as the crime-fighting Spider-Man. Meanwhile Harry Osborn (Willem Dafoe), the industrialist father of Peter's friend Norman (James Franco), undergoes a transformation of his own, bringing about the creation of Spider-Man's arch-nemesis: The Green Goblin...

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Details

Cast: Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, Rosemary Harris, James Franco, Tobey Maguire, Bill Nunn, Cliff Robertson, Stanley Anderson, Jack Betts, Elizabeth Banks, Bruce Campbell, Michael Papajohn, Gerry Becker, J.K. Simmons, Ron Perkins, Ted Raimi, Joe Manganiello, Randy Savage, Myk Watford

Director: Sam Raimi

Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

Release Date: 2002, May 3, 2002

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Screen Writer: Stan Lee, David Koepp, Steve Ditko

DVD Release Date: November 1, 2002

Runtime: 2hrs 1min

Studio: Sony Pictures, Columbia Pictures

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