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Spider-Man

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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

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Average teenager Peter Parker is transformed into an extraordinary super hero after he is accidentally bitten by a radioactive spider. When his beloved uncle is savagely murdered during a robbery, young Peter vows to use his powers to avenge his death. Deeming himself "Spider-Man ," he sets about ridding the streets of crime, bringing him into conflict with malevolent super-villain "Green Goblin."
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    Reviews for Spider-Man

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    A perfectly serviceable early-summer popcorn picture that will satisfy its core teen constituency and not displease general viewers looking for some disposable entertainment.

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    03/05/08
    Todd McCarthy
    Todd McCarthy
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon 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.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment 2 Comments
    04/17/07
    J. R. Jones
    J. R. Jones
    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    It's got appealing performers as the leads.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
    07/20/02
    Mark Caro
    Mark Caro
    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

    Full Review Source: Rolling Stone | comment Comment
    05/26/02
    Peter Travers
    Peter Travers
    Rolling Stone
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    [A]n energetic romp.

    Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment Comment
    05/06/02
    Richard Roeper
    Richard Roeper
    Ebert & Roeper
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    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.

    Full Review Source: New York Magazine | comment Comment
    05/05/02
    Peter Rainer
    Peter Rainer
    New York Magazine
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    This is a pure popcorn movie -- the kind of film one can unabashedly enjoy for what it is.

    Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
    05/04/02
    James Berardinelli
    James Berardinelli
    ReelViews
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    With disarmingly entertaining movies like this, dare I say, who needs big bad superhero movies?

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    05/03/02
    Desson Thomson
    Desson Thomson
    Washington Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    An exuberance, a celebration, a hoot, a kick and a half.

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    05/03/02
    Stephen Hunter
    Stephen Hunter
    Washington Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    A blockbuster with a heart and a brain.

    Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
    05/03/02
    Peter Howell
    Peter Howell
    Toronto Star
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The superhero part of the movie will leave audiences with a flat feeling.

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
    05/03/02
    Mick LaSalle
    Mick LaSalle
    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Speaking in terms of spectacle, craft, romance and humor, it's the movie to beat this summer.

    Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
    05/03/02
    John Anderson
    John Anderson
    Newsday
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Maguire is a surprisingly effective Peter/Spider-Man.

    Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
    05/03/02
    Eric Harrison
    Eric Harrison
    Houston Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    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.

    Full Review Source: Detroit News | comment Comment
    05/03/02
    Susan Stark
    Susan Stark
    Detroit News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    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.

    Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
    05/03/02
    Steven Rosen
    Steven Rosen
    Denver Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Even when it sputters, this Spider-Man is loftier than most attempts at movie wizardry.

    Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
    05/03/02
    Philip Wuntch
    Philip Wuntch
    Dallas Morning News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Raimi crafted a complicated hero who is a welcome relief from the usual two-dimensional offerings.

    Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
    05/03/02
    Sam Allis
    Sam Allis
    Boston Globe
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    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.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment 8 Comments
    05/03/02
    Roger Ebert
    Roger Ebert
    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    A surprisingly charming and even witty match for the best of Hollywood's comic-book adaptations.

    Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
    05/03/02
    Jonathan Foreman
    Jonathan Foreman
    New York Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    To its credit focuses mainly on the warm-hearted human tale of the innocent superhero in a hard world, rather than on visual dazzle.

    Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
    05/03/02
    Liam Lacey
    Liam Lacey
    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
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