Spider Man review by Orlando C. Fernando May 9, 2002 Storyline: 8(0=worst, 10=best) Originality: N/A Acting: 9 Special Effects: 8 Overall: A (F=worst, A=best)

Marvel Comics tries to go on the big screen with one of their most famous comic book heroes.
Spider Man has been anticipated by the movie-goers since last year, almost as eagerly as Star Wars II: The Clone Wars due out later this month. The movie does not fail to disappoint as its a wonderful adaptation of the comic book series.

The large part of the story focuses on how Spider Man came to be.
We sympathize with him as young teen Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), a nerdy high-school kid that's soon on his way to college. In fact, the secondary characters are just as well developed. Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) is established as a girl Spider Man had eyes on ever since she first moved next door with her dysfucntional family. Unfortunately, his best friend Harry (James Franco) steals her heart first. Even more unfortunate, Harry's father Norman (Willem Dafoe) is into experiments with to create super mutant-like powers in common man. He takes his own experimental drugs and develops a nasty alter ego known as the Green Goblin. Peter gets his own shock of powers when he gets bitten by one of the labs rare species of spiders on a field trip. He develops superhuman powers of fast reflexes, and a rad gift to spin out web from his wrists. As we see Peter perfect his powers, Norman's alter ego starts taking the best of him and becomes the evil villian of the picture; thus also the setup for several confrontations between the two major characters.

"With power comes responsibility."
This is the recurring message Peter faces throughout the film - coming from his loving Uncle Ben. The pace of the film never slows down to a crawl, as every scene whether exposition or action has purpose. Equally thrilling are the various locales in which the hero seeks fortune or fights crime.

Tobey and cast pull it off with comic book ease.
The whole cast does wonderful transition between drama and typically comic book reactions (like Mary Jane telling Spider Man to look out for some bad guy). The special effects are astounding. Watch Spider Man leap building and swing from building to building, street light to street light. Although Spidey's costume is superb, Green Goblin's outfit is too artificial for my tastes (the mouth not moving especially did that for me). And J.K. Simmons definitely fits the role of JJ very well. Look out for a surprise appearance by a still muscle-bound Randy Poffo, known to World Wrestling Federation fans as Randy "Macho Man" Savage!

W orth a full admission ticket!
Stan Lee is credited with working on the film to keep it closely attached to the comic book stories. You definitely needn't know them to enjoy this classic confrontation of good vs. evil. Lots of action and non-blood violence, typical live-action superhero fare. But a wonderful back story and great acting makes it enjoyable for all ages. Check it out at your friendly neighborhood.

Copyright 2002 by Orlando C. Fernando. Tobey Maguire picture is copyright altocelebs.net. This page is for personal use only. It may be openly distributed for nonprofit in whole or part, but authorship must be credited.