A perfectly serviceable early-summer popcorn picture that will satisfy its core teen constituency and not displease general viewers looking for some disposable entertainment.
Spider-Man (2002)
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Reviews Counted:34
Fresh:29
Rotten:5
Average Rating:7.2/10
Consensus: Not only does Spider-Man provide a good dose of web-swinging fun, but it also has a heart, mainly due to Maguire.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for stylized violence and action
Runtime: 2 hrs 1 min
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theatrical Release:May 3, 2002 Wide
Box Office: $403,706,375
Synopsis: Orphaned at an early age, Peter Parker (Toby Maguire) lived in Queens, New York with his beloved Aunt May (Academy-Awards®) nominee Rosemary Harris) and Uncle Ben (Academy Awards® winner... Orphaned at an early age, Peter Parker (Toby Maguire) lived in Queens, New York with his beloved Aunt May (Academy-Awards®) nominee Rosemary Harris) and Uncle Ben (Academy Awards® winner Cliff Robertson). Peter leads the life of a normal student, working as a photographer at the Daily Bugle under the tutelage of publisher J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons), pining after the beautiful Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) and hanging out with buddy Harry Osborn (James Franco). On a school trip, during which Peter and his classmates are given a science demonstration on spiders, Peter is bitten by a genetically altered spider. Soon after, he discovers that he has unusual powers: he is endowed with the strength and agility of a spider along with a keen, ESP-like "spider sense." After discovering these powers, Peter appears in a televised wrestling match and, armed with his new spider strength, wins the match in record time. But the wrestling match promoter refuses to award Peter the $3,000 prize money, alleging that Peter won too quickly. Soon afterwards, Peter has the opportunity to catch a burglar fleeing from the promoter's office, but because he wants revenge, he refuses to stop him. Moments later, the same burglar kills his beloved Uncle Ben. As Spider-Man, Peter apprehends the burglar but is plagued with guilt for not being a hero sooner. During his time of turmoil, Peter remembers something Uncle Ben once told him: "With great power, there must also come great responsibility." Peter takes this to heart and decides to us his extraordinary powers to fight crime. Meanwhile, megalomaniacal businessman Norman Osborn (Academy Award® nominee Willem Dafoe), Harry's father, is undergoing some changes of his own. An experimental formula has blown up in his face, increasing his intelligence and strength but also driving his insane. He is now the Green Goblin, Spider-Man's arch-enemy, who will put young Peter Parker's vow to fight crime and help innocent people to the ultimate test. -- © 2001 Columbia Pictures [More]
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Willem Dafoe, James Franco
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Willem Dafoe, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Ted Raimi, Bruce Campbell, Bill Nunn, Scott Schwartz, Randy Savage, Michael Papajohn, Deborah Wakeham
Director: Sam Raimi
Director: Sam Raimi
Screenwriter: David Koepp, Alvin Sargent
Producer: Laura Ziskin, Ian Bryce, Grant Curtis
Composer: Danny Elfman
Studio: Columbia Pictures
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Release:
Aug 4, 2009
Reviews for Spider-Man
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.
Raimi gives this unapologetic fluff a mind, a heart and a keen sense of fun.
Despite all the computer-generated effects and highflying superhero theatrics, this roughly $120 million movie is, with few exceptions, remarkable only in its small human touches.
This is a pure popcorn movie -- the kind of film one can unabashedly enjoy for what it is.
With disarmingly entertaining movies like this, dare I say, who needs big bad superhero movies?
The superhero part of the movie will leave audiences with a flat feeling.
Speaking in terms of spectacle, craft, romance and humor, it's the movie to beat this summer.
Exciting as it is tender and romantic, Raimi's Spider-Man looks like a movie that will please not only the Spider-Man converted but also the viewer who just wanders in.
Plays like a sensitive 1980s-era John Hughes teen film ... interrupted by really tawdry special effects and hammy appearances by a cartoonish villain played by Willem Dafoe.
Even when it sputters, this Spider-Man is loftier than most attempts at movie wizardry.
Raimi crafted a complicated hero who is a welcome relief from the usual two-dimensional offerings.
The origin story is well told, and the characters will not disappoint anyone who values the original comic books. It's in the action scenes that things fall apart.
A surprisingly charming and even witty match for the best of Hollywood's comic-book adaptations.
To its credit focuses mainly on the warm-hearted human tale of the innocent superhero in a hard world, rather than on visual dazzle.
Latest News for Spider-Man
September 04, 2009:
Weekly Ketchup: Disney buys Marvel, WB announces Lobo & Deadman
This Week's Ketchup features an unusual number of "threequels," with plans being announced for the third entries to the Bad Boys, Big Momma's House and Halloween franchises.... More...
August 21, 2009:
Weekly Ketchup: Spider-Man 5 & 6 Planned
Although remakes have been a common trend in the Weekly Ketchup for quite a while, few weeks have ever been as dominated by them as this one, with remakes taking up 6 of the 11... More...
April 01, 2009:
Weekly Ketchup Special Edition: Raimi Announces Next Spider-Man Villians
This week's first few days, mostly because of the annual Entertainment Exhibitors Expo in lovely Palm Springs, has brought a surprising amount of movie news, so this is an extra... More...
February 25, 2009:
Spider-Man Musical Gets Title, Opening Night ![]()
The Julie Taymor-directed, Bono-scored "Spider-Man" Broadway musical we've all been giggling about just got itself a title ("Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark") and an opening night... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
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