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Spiderman

Comic book stories brought to the big screen are always popular, but sometimes they don't live up to the hype or bring it the justice it rightfully deserves.

Spiderman has been one of those highly anticipated movies to hit the screen -- and yes, it was well worth the wait.

Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) lives with his Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson) and Aunt May (Rosemary Harris). They are a good family who have brought Peter up with strong morals, as well as supporting and encouraging him to follow his dreams.

Peter is a meek, very nice, compassionate, and intelligent high school senior, whose heart has been on his sleeve since the time he was in first grade. The lovely Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) is the woman he melts for, but is unable to express his feelings toward her.

On a science field trip where an ultra new species of spiders are being developed and monitored -- well, maybe monitored is too strong of a word -- one spider escapes and bites Peter on his hand.

These spiders are the most exclusive and scientifically engineered of their kind -- super spiders in fact. Peter Parker got bit by a beauty! This one is going to leave a mark on him in more ways than one.

Peter's closest friend Harry Osborne (James Franko) is the academically failing son of Norman Osborne (Willen Dafoe), a powerful businessman in the city.

Harry takes notice in Mary Jane when she ends the relationship with her boyfriend, since Peter has been shying away from making any potential moves on her. (What's a best friend for anyway?)

Peter Parker is not the only one who got an instant transfusion of superhero power over night. Norman Osborne, a scientist, has been developing a flying contraption like a skate board. While testing the performance-enhancing serum by injecting it into himself, something goes awfully wrong and Norman is now a menacing, disturbed and alienated being out to take revenge on his unbelievers and take over the city. He has been branded "The Green Goblin" by the Daily Bugle newspaper.

Peter's quiet humdrum lifestyle will never be the same, now even more apparent when Peter lets a robber just slip away after a tiff with a sleazy manager in order to get even with him for a payment of funds not received. Peter later finds out that very same robber shot and killed his uncle during the night.

Peter now lives with the bitter torment of his selflessness and struggles each day with it, as he learns to develop his newfound power to fight crime and protect the city from harm's way.

Tobey Maguire brought respect, charisma, and delightfulness to this beloved comic book hero.

Willem Dafoe brought oodles of mind-numbing sickness to his comic book villain, and his performance as the Green Goblin screams with chilling horror!

Kirsten Dunst brought sweetness and light to Spidey's (and Peter's) love interest. Just delightful!

A special appearance I found to be perfectly suited was Bruce Campbell's performance as the ring announcer at the wrestling event. He is just so darn talented and full of creative juices flowing from his skin. He is a very funny and and awe-inspiring presence to watch -- wish he was in it longer. He's an absolute keeper in films!

Spiderman's costume sizzles! It is not just the way it looks, but the way it moves -- and the way Tobey makes it move is the icing on the cake. I must say I got quite a chuckle when Peter wore his first interpretation of the Spiderman outfit to a wrestling match to win some fast cash to impress Mary Jane. Sure, it would take sometime to whip together the get-up Spidey would become famous in, but it was cute and goofy, and it was all Peter Parker.

The Green Goblin's costume, on the other hand, was so good, it was bad. There was some serious and hideous ugliness with that dude (and I don't like to use the word "ugly," but gee whiz, The Green Goblin is one ugly looking mug!)

At the end of the movie, you get to hear the original TV theme of "Spiderman," along with the movie's theme song "Hero," performed by Chad Kroeger and Josey Scott. Pretty catchy stuff -- no pun intended!

Sam Raimi's direction is dazzling, artistic, and just smoking with first-rate special effects. One of my favorites is Spiderman's abilities to weave webs out of his wrist. It is so life-like and fantastic to watch him maneuver and play around with.

With a slick coolness and undeniable comic book flair brought to life on the big screen, Spiderman is of high quality, high standard, and is highly recommended. A sure-fire pleaser that is fun for the whole family!

Written by: Lynda Dale MacLean

Reviewers Rating: 9
Reader's Rating: 8.29
Reader's Votes: 28

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