Skip to content
Dan Owen reviews
- Cert:
- Running time: 121 minutes
- Year: 2002
- Released: 14th June 2002
- Widescreen Ratio: 1.85:1
Director: Sam Raimi
Screenplay: David Koepp (based on the comic books by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko)
Cast:
- Peter Parker / Spider-Man: Tobey Maguire
Norman Osborne / The Green Goblin: Willem Dafoe
Mary Jane Watson: Kirsten Dunst
Harry Osborne: James Franco
Uncle Ben: Cliff Robertson
Aunt May: Rosemary Harris
J. Jonah Jameson: J.K Simmons
Seemingly lost in development hell since the early 90s, Spider-Manfinally spins his web across worldwide theatres some 10 years afterdirector James Cameron first mused over a big-screen adaptation of StanLee and Steve Ditko’s most famous superhero.
40 years after the first comic featuring your friendly neighbourhoodSpider-Man was published, Darkman director Sam Raimi delivers afast-paced, energetic, frequently enthralling and emotionally maturesuperhero adventure to celebrate Spidey’s anniversary. Spider-Manmanages to respectfully adhere to the conventions of the comic book,while also twisting some elements to improve them for contemporaryaudiences: Peter is bitten by a genetically engineered ‘super-spider’,not a radiocative arachnid, amongst other changes…
Sam Raimi, best known for directing the cult Evil Dead horror movies,is a tremendously gutsy choice as director of such a kid-orientedproject. Raimi certainly has the credentials for helming such a massivemovie – blessed as he is with a distinct visual style and genuine loveof the comics.
The cast, assembled by Raimi, is similarly striking in itsnon-conformist attitude to audience’s expectatitions from a studio’s bigsummer release. Tobey Maguire is a relative unknown to mainstreamaudiences, only really faintly remembered in such minor hits asPleasantville and The Cider House Rules.
But in Maguire, Raimi has found the perfect type of actor to play PeterParker. Maguire’s lack of star power makes it easier for audiences totruly bond with his portrayal of Parker (something the casting of a thenunknown Christopher Reeve did for a certain other superhero hit…)
Maguire perfectly emulates the accepted traits of the comic book Parker;shyness, nervousness, intelligence, and sensitivity. He imbues Parkerwith a strong sense of reality most people can associate with far easierthan the bumbling excesses of Clark Kent or the playboy lifestyle ofBruce Wayne. The secret of Spider-Man’s success – to a large extent -is that the central character is practically a mirror image of itsintended youthful audience, and therefore far easier to emphasise with.
Willem Dafoe adds another villainous role to his repertoire, this timeplaying antagonist scientist Norman Osborne – who transforms into theGreen Goblin after an experiment with a performance-enhancing gas splitshis personality in two. Dafoe has often been a pleasure to watch, andhere he gives an assured performance as Osborne that thankfully is notthe hammy mess we’ve become accustomed to after Joel Schumacher’sBatmandebacle. Instead, Dafoe treats the material with the respect itdeserves – even when called upon to leap barechested around roomsgrimmacing!
Kirsten Dunst is unfortunately lumbered with the most uninterestingcharacter – Mary Jane Watson. Dunst is sadly consigned to be the damsel indistress throughout the movie, although occassional scenes between herand Maguire have strong resonance and even some depth – particularly ina backyard conversation between the pair, and in the moving final scene.
The supporting cast is excellent, with Cliff Robertson the embodiment of”fatherly” love – who has an emotionally charged death scene that almostsurpasses the death of Clark Kent’s dad in “Superman”. Rosemary Harrisas Aunt May is also very good, although given less meaty scenes withMaguire. However, it’s J.K Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson – the Editor ofthe Daily Bugle – who makes the best impression. Simmons not onlyresembles his comic book character exactly, but has great fun with themore overtly OTT role, even getting some of the best lines. Perfectcasting, but I hope he’s given more to do in the inevitable sequel.
David Koepp‘s screenplay is very faithful to the comic book, yet withadded twists that improve on the original’s ideas – such as PeterParker’s ability to shoot web from his wrists and not with silly”web-shooter” arm gadgets. The screenplay is effective, well paced, withsome clever lines and humorous dialogue. The plot unfolds in a linearfashion, and while there are no real surprises along the way (especiallyfor fans of the comic), it’s so pleasing to watch you don’t especiallycare. The saving grace of the script’s fairly limp plot is the strongcharacterisation and development – aspects usually forgotten insuperhero movies.
Obviously the special effects of Spider-Man are what will draw thecrowds in, and the film certainly doesn’t shirk away from spectacle.Early use of a CGI Peter Parker leaping around New York rooftops isworryingly poor, but things quickly improve as the movie progresses. Thefrequent shots of Spidey swinging around New York are jaw dropping intheir fluidity and believability. As always, some scenes still don’tquite work, but most are fantastic pieces of CGI “stuntwork” that becomemore photo-realistic with each passing minute.
The Green Goblin is similarly impressive when in flight, although bothsuperheroes look a little limp and ridiculous once grounded. The mostdisappointing aspect to the movie is the annoying design of the Goblin -with its gangly frame and face-obscuring mask. Willem Dafoe deserved abetter suit to excentuate with his expressive features and devilishlaugh… not a shoddy “Power Rangers” variant. That said, the sequenceswith the Goblin on his glider are still very memorable and visuallyarresting – and he thankfully stays on it for most of the duration.
In conclusion, Spider-Man is easily the best superhero movie of thelast 10 years. Yes, it lacks the epic scope ofSupermanand the brave edge of Batman, but it more than makes up for this with its strongemphasis on characters. The cast are on top form, the plot (thoughfundamentally weak) is enjoyably lively, the characters memorable, andSam Raimi’s direction sparky and totally at ease with the visualrequirements. A perfect marriage of director and obviously belovedsubject matter.
What’s most telling about Spider-Man is that you leave the movieimpressed that the it wasn’t as hokey as you’d first expected. It hasreal heart behind the effects, and makes you invest some emotion in thecharacters’ lives. Plus, they were so assured of themselves they didn’teven use Spidey’s best adversary in this one! Roll on the sequel!
DIRECTION
SCREENPLAY
PERFORMANCES
SOUND/MUSIC
SPECIAL FX
OVERALL
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.