
Spider-Man
2002, Fantasy/Action, 1h 56m
245 Reviews 250,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Not only does Spider-Man provide a good dose of web-swinging fun, it also has a heart, thanks to the combined charms of director Sam Raimi and star Tobey Maguire. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Peter Parker, Spider-Man
Norman Osborne, Green Goblin
Mary Jane Watson
Harry Osborn
Ben Parker
May Parker
News & Interviews for Spider-Man
Critic Reviews for Spider-Man
All Critics (245) | Top Critics (56) | Fresh (220) | Rotten (25)
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To me the only marvel about this Marvel Comics cinema hero is that Americans should be going to see him in such large numbers.
July 7, 2015 | Full Review… -
It's the unexpectedness of finding a genuine couple of young lovers caught in its web that turns spectacle into sympathy and restores life-size emotion to outside imagination.
July 7, 2015 | Full Review… -
Spider-Man is an almost-perfect extension of the experience of reading comic-book adventures.
July 7, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review… -
With earnest, unpretentious delivery, Maguire is an eminently likable hero audiences will root for from his earliest moments as the class wimp.
August 3, 2013 | Full Review… -
At its best, Spider-Man takes the adolescent yearning at the heart of most superhero sagas and gives it a lovely swing.
August 3, 2013 | Full Review… -
Coarse mayhem notwithstanding, Spider-Man will probably provoke a pandemic of arachnophilia.
April 12, 2013 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Spider-Man
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Oct 15, 2017Terrific "modern" superhero movie is the best since Superman I and II. The acting is decent, casting is good (although I don't love Tobey Maguire, he is the right amount of nerdy for Peter Parker, who isn't supposed to be cool). The CGI is good, the action is great. Vivid colors, a fun backstory and plenty of plot to keep the film busy between action scenes. I actually saw Spider-man II first in the theater 2 years later in 2004. I really enjoyed the sequel, and I enjoyed this movie just as much. In my opinion, they are equally good. Most people give Spider-man 2 the nod over the first movie. There is a bit more action in 2, and some cool scenes (the train, battles wtih Doc Ock). Both are terrific, fun action/adventure movies. I wish there had been 4. I enjoyed the Sam Raimi franchise much more than the newer versions, which are boring by comparison. No depth, not nearly as funny and the super-vivid supporting characters are fantastic here. Fun movie, and it spawned the 2007 Spider-Man pinball machine, which I now own!Mark H Super Reviewer
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Jul 07, 2017As dated as some of the dialogue, acting, effects shots, and plot points are, there will always be a special place in my heart for the original Spider-Man film (I'm not going to count those 70's features). This is largely due to the fact that it was the first superhero film I ever saw in a theater. I specifically remember where I saw it, who I was with, where I sat, and how terrified I was at the 3D images of the Green Goblin's face. For those reasons, I'm always keen on re-watching this one. Before the golden age of superhero film, Spider-Man came out at a time when being inspired by Donner's 1978 Superman and Burton's 1989 Batman was the norm. You can clearly see how influenced Sam Raimi was to those films, specifically with his choice of bringing in Danny Elfman to do the music. This all gives the film a very nostalgic vibe to me. However, some dated qualities manage to shine through some of the better moments. Those being the fact that Kirsten Dunst's 'Mary Jane' is essentially a useless plot device for the entire film. This doesn't necessarily change throughout the trilogy, but it's overtly clear with the first Spider-Man. My 8-year-old mind can push aside the damsel in distress moments, but 15 years later it becomes increasingly more difficult. The same goes for the dull dialogue between MJ and Peter, and the unquestionably awkward line delivery at times. I'm all for Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, but their relationship isn't always sold well enough in the various scenes they have together. With that said, someone who undoubtedly does sell their scenes is Willem Dafoe. He was terrifying as Norman Osborn a child, and he still sends a few chills down my spine when I see him talking to himself through a mirror in the Osborn mansion. But he isn't just a one-note villain either. Significant time is spent developing him as a forceful antagonist, but also a troubled man with misplaced intentions. In today's age of setting up future films way too far in advance, there usually isn't enough time given to developing villains (i.e. every MCU film), but luckily that's not the case with Green Goblin. Overall, Spider-Man is clearly a dated film in many areas upon re-watch, but it's hard not to overlook them based on pure nostalgic alone. In a way, some of the dated qualities actually end up making it even more charming. +Nostalgia +Score +Dafoe -Dated, and definitely cheesy 8.0/10Thomas D Super Reviewer
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Jun 29, 2017I forgot how great Tobey Maguire's acting was in this filmKameron W Super Reviewer
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Nov 13, 2016That movie starts the string of the spider man that I'm grown with and raise the bar really high for the next super hero movie which comes soon after it. This part is really good synthesized. I can tell much more good thing abouy the movie but you can make them on your own.Valeri I Super Reviewer
Spider-Man Quotes
Dr. Mendel Stromm: | We need to take the whole line back to formula. |
Green Goblin/Norman Osborn: | Back to formula? |
Spider-Man/Peter Parker: | Some spiders change colors to blend into their environment. It's a defense mechanism. |
Harry Osborn: | Peter, what makes you think I'd want to know that? |
Spider-Man/Peter Parker: | Who wouldn't? |
Norman Osborn/Green Goblin: | I've been like a father to you. Be a son to me. |
Peter Parker/Spider-Man: | I have a father. His name was Ben Parker. |
Norman Osborn/Green Goblin: | God's speed, Spiderman. |
Peter Parker/Spider-Man: | Let mom and dad talk gobby |
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