Spider-Man (2002)

All Critics (215) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (192) | Rotten (23) | DVD (59)

In emphasizing angst over energy, the movie is much like its hero -- not the dashing crime fighter in a red-and-black bodysuit but the introspective nerd who both endears and exasperates.

July 14, 2010 Full Review | Comments (7)

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Top Critic

A perfectly serviceable early-summer popcorn picture that will satisfy its core teen constituency and not displease general viewers looking for some disposable entertainment.

March 5, 2008 Full Review | Comment (1)

Todd McCarthy

Variety

Top Critic

Unfortunately the film, like many of its ilk, is driven by special effects, and there's a serious disconnect between Maguire's sweet-natured dialogue and Spider-Man's pounding violence and stunning acrobatic work.

April 17, 2007 Full Review | Comments (5)

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

This accomplished blockbuster announces itself as a stylish piece of pop myth-spinning.

June 24, 2006 Full Review

Derek Adams

Time Out

Top Critic

It's got appealing performers as the leads.

July 20, 2002 Full Review

Mark Caro

Chicago Tribune

Top Critic

Raimi gives this unapologetic fluff a mind, a heart and a keen sense of fun.

May 26, 2002

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Top Critic

Captures the high-energy, pulpy effervescence of Marvel when it was young and feisty... whatever imperfections the film picks up along the way, they practically demand to be hand-waved aside.

June 28, 2012 Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

It's got all that you'd want from superhero movie and more. A truly enjoyable film.

January 16, 2011 Full Review

Geoffrey Kleinman

DVDTalk.com

Fun movie, but may be too intense for younger kids.

December 28, 2010 Full Review | Comment (1)

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Sam Raimi has gotten the exact mix right to create certainly one of the best superhero films ever made.

July 6, 2010 Full Review

Garth Franklin

Dark Horizons

Spider-Man is funny, poignant and true to form with Tobey Maguire and company fleshing out the famed comic-book characters with aplomb.

September 8, 2009 Full Review

Kit Bowen

Hollywood.com

Finally, a fully faithful adaptation to a comic book icon, save for some bumps along the road. It's a fun movie.

April 29, 2009 Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

A vibrant piece of pop entertainment that serves as the perfect start to the summer season.

October 18, 2008 Full Review

Jason Zingale

Bullz-Eye.com

An adaptation of the Marvel Comics superhero adventures that effectively takes time between exhilarating digital effects to develop character and motivation.

August 7, 2008 Full Review

Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Colourful, energetic and well-cast, Spider-Man is a good-quality, highly-entertaining action movie.

March 5, 2008 Full Review

Daniel Etherington

Film4

[Sam] Raimi captures the ineffable quality that makes this misfit with muscles New York's own blue-collar, working-man's hero.

February 28, 2008 Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Seanax.com

Spider-man flows as smoothly from scene to scene, catching the audience in its charming web and setting us up for a sequel which, for once, will be welcome.

July 14, 2007 Full Review

Joe Lozito

Big Picture Big Sound

Practically pitch-perfect summer entertainment.

December 30, 2006 Full Review

Ian Freer

Empire Magazine

At its best, it's action packed fantasy, grounded in reality by a talented cast who pack a real emotional wallop. At its worst, it's over the top, and more than a little sappy.

September 30, 2005 Full Review

Scott Nash

Three Movie Buffs

Spider-Man was the first really alienated guy to swoop around fighting crime in a funny outfit. His strange powers made this teenage outsider into even more of an outsider -- and Spider-Man... stays true to that idea, thanks mostly to Maguire.

March 3, 2005

Stuart Klawans

The Nation

Count on Sam Raimi ... to deliver a Spider-Man movie that recaptures the wonder of those first-generation comics.

December 8, 2004 Full Review | Comment (1)

Michael H. Price

Fort Worth Business Press

This is one of those rare adventure movies in which character, not violence, is the backbone of the film.

December 6, 2004 Full Review

Jeffrey Overstreet

Looking Closer

• 1. J. Jonah Jameson: Who is Spider-man? He's a criminal that's who he is.
  – Submitted by Swail J (3 months ago)
• 1. Burglar: Just give me a chance!
  2. Peter Parker/Spider-Man: What about my uncle? Did you give him a chance? Did you? Did you?
  – Submitted by Mike R (6 months ago)
• 1. Mary Jane Watson: Who are you?
  2. Peter Parker/Spider-Man: You know who I am.
  3. Mary Jane Watson: I do?
  4. Peter Parker/Spider-Man: Your friendly neighbourhood Spiderman! [swings off]
  – Submitted by Mike R (6 months ago)
• 1. Peter Parker/Spider-Man: Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!
  – Submitted by Xin Y (10 months ago)
• 1. Mary Jane Watson: Do I get to say thank you this time?
  – Submitted by Coltin L (10 months ago)
• 1. Peter Parker/Spider-Man: The great thing about MJ is when you look in her eyes and she's looking back in yours, everything feels not quite normal. Because you feel stronger and weaker at the same time. You feel excited and at the same time, terrified. The truth is you don't know what you feel except you know what kind of man you want to be. It's as if you've reached the unreachable and you weren't ready for it.
  – Submitted by Nhat N (10 months ago)