Review of Spider-Man (2002) by Alden S — 27 Jul 2014

Well, well, well how can I sum this film up? Well for starters I've been a proper fan of ol'web head since I was ten so when I heard there was a film in it's early stages of production I was well excited.

Then there was a period where the film almost sunk without trace due to production difficulties so my expectations weren't really high then I suddenly heard a few years later that Tobey Maguire had been cast as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane (who wouldn't have been my first choice but she soon proved me wrong!) and Willem Dafoe as the Green Goblin. Upon seeing a teaser trailer about six to nine months before it's release over here, my expectations were soon back on the high.

I was sixteen when the film eventually came out and saw it about three weeks after it opened and was blown away by the special effects and acting although not so much by the storyline but hey it's showing Spideys origins mainly. I was also pleased to see the hero of two hours wearing his traditional costume, which the team at one point I remember considered against.

Tobey Maguire is perfect as the shy/nerdy Peter Parker but the heroic Spiderman. Kirsten Dunst is great as girl-next-door Mary Jane who secretly loves Pete but doesn't know how to show it straightaway. Willem Dafoe is great as the likeable but in some slight ways arrogant Norman Osborn who turns into the psychotic Green Goblin after a lab experiment goes wrong.

Sadly, if you are expecting a big plot Batman Begins-style then you will be dissappointed as this mainly focuses on the origins of the two lead characters and how they come face to face.

Other than that it's good summer entertainment.