Spider-Man (2002)

Genre

Action | Adventure

Director

Sam Raimi

Country

USA

Cast

Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Joe Manganiello, Bill Nunn, Michael Papajohn, Elizabeth Banks, Bruce Campbell, Ted Raimi, Stan Lee

Plot

When bitten by a genetically modified spider, a shy, nerdy high school teen, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), gains spider-like abilities. After a tragic event occurs in his family, he realizes that his newly found powers should be used only for good.

Opinion

In early 2000's, they made this Spider-Man trilogy, but I wasn't exactly a fan of him growing up, so I missed them all. 13 years after its release, I decided to give it a try. 

Spider-Man is a fantastic, fun comic adaptation that keep the action high, but also emphasizes the human element. 

The first half has the right balance of action and humour - mostly in Parker's discovery of his powers and how to use them -, and it also shows the character development of Spiderman. Unfortunately, the second half is not strong as I hoped. The Green Goblin isn't much of an interesting character, and the attention is hold more on the disappointed father figure than the villain's.

The acting is great. Tobey Maguire is very believable as nerdy Peter Parker. Willem Dafoe is wonderfully scary, but the ugly Green Goblin's costume limits its greatness a bit. Kirsten Dunst is fine as Mary Jane. James Franco perfectly portrays the no-matter-what-I-achieve-my-father-will-never-be-proud-of-me guy. J.K. Simmons is hilarious as J. Jonah Jameson, and steals every scene he is in. 

Quotes

Peter Parker: Who am I? You sure you want to know? The story of my life is not for the faint of heart. If somebody said it was a happy little tale... if somebody told you I was just your average ordinary guy, not a care in the world... somebody lied.