"Spider-Man" (2002) Movie Review

"This, like any story worth telling, is all about a girl. That girl. The girl next door. Mary-Jane Watson, the woman I've loved since before I even liked girls." says Peter Parker as the movie opens. We see Peter chasing the school bus, barely able to keep up, pleading for them to stop for him. Oh, the joys of high school have tortured many. Peter's life, however, is about to change drastically. A genetically modified spider has escaped its cage. It lands on Peter and bites him. The next morning, he wakes up with bigger muscles, perfect eyesight, and strength. Of course, what would Spider-Man be without webbing? He soon discovers that he can shoot webbing out of his wrists, which is a huge differentiation from the comics, as originally, Peter made web shooters and the webbing itself. Differences are bound to happen, and in this case it works to the film's advantage.

Sam Raimi directed Spider-Man, and he actually does a good job considering David Koepp's script. It was was written as a fun film that even kids could go to and all ages would enjoy. It was simple and easily understood. The action scenes were impressive and the CGI used made it look like a "moving comic" of sorts.

The acting was not too shabby. Tobey Maguire was a good nerd and a good "beginner" Spider-Man. His devotion for Mary-Jane made them both vulnerable. His love for his aunt made her a target. The emotional choices Peter has to make on a daily basis was discussed throughout this film, which I liked. It's important to show the sacrifices a hero has to make because it makes him relatable and easy to sympathize with.

In conclusion, Spidey's big screen debut is well worth the viewing. It will make you laugh and it will make you sit in awe as the action plays out. If you love superheroes, drama, romance, or just an evening of fun, definitely check out Spider-Man.