Quick Rating : ****


 
I was anticipating this movie for a long time.  I've been a Spider-man fan since I was a little kid.  I remember the 80's saturday morning cartoon.  I remember reruns of the old '67 series that used to play in the mornings before school.  I remember the live action TV movies that WLVI 56 would show on Saturday middays.  And I have read/continue to read the comic books.  One of the first comics I ever got was a Spider-man - one when he was battling the Hobgoblin..  When word came out that they were attempting to make a Spider-man movie in the early 90s, I was excited.  Of course, problem after problem that movie encountered, and only after 9 years did it finally make it to the screen.  And, boy, was it worth the wait.
 
Peter Parker (maguire) is a nerdy high school student - picked on by bullies and ignored by the girls.  Then one day he has an accident with a genetically enhanced spider.  He starts to change because of that bite.  He's given the proportionate speed & strength of a spider, and he's able to climb walls, and shoot webs.  All very exciting for a teenager.  The way Raimi brings these changes about are fantastic.  Peter is ecstatic as he learns of his new abililties, and we're along for the ride.  Then, when disaster strikes, Peter takes to heart his Uncle's advice - "With great power comes great responsibility."  And he becomes Spider-man, superhero to the teeming masses of NYC.
 
Parallel to Spidey's origin, we're also told the origin of the Green Goblin, one of the bigger villains from the 40+ history of Spider-man comics.  Willem Dafoe does a great job as Norman Osbourne, and I guess he really can't be blamed for the scenes in which he's behind the mask. 
 
I don't want to get too much into the story, but there is a lot going on.  Many great characters come to live, and they are all accurrately and realistically portrayed on the screen.  Aunt May & Uncle Ben are great.  J. Jonah Jameson is fantastic - JK Simmons steals every scene he's in.  James Franco as Harry is great, and Peter is great.  I don't particularly care for Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane.  I don't know, just something about her... doesn't cut it for me.   I also didn't care to see Macy Gray in there... but at least here scene was short.
 
All in all, this is a fantastic adaptation from the comic.  The story is full of references to the comic history, and is faithful to the story & characters that I have loved.  There's a lot of emotion, and very strong performances.  The action, and Spidey's moves swinging through the air are phenomenal - just as a reader would imagine them from the printed page.  I can't recommend this one enough.
 
 

 
 

Quality: 8.0  Visuals: 8.0  Intensity: 8.5
OVERALL RATING: 8.2