Certificate: reduced later to

Director: Sam Raimi

Release Date: 14 June 2002

Tagline: With great power comes great responsibility.

Main Cast:

Tobey Maguire … Peter Parker

Willem Dafoe … Norman Osborn

Kirsten Dunst … Mary Jane Watson

James Franco … Harry Osborn

For those of us who grew up reading the DC and Marvel comics (and especially Spider-Man) this is truly the stuff of dreams. It’s amazing how, finally, we are able to see Spidey swinging through the streets of New York in the exact same way you see him in the comics. It’s jaw-droppingly stunning. This is a perfect example of how to use CGI.

Everything about it is fantastic. First of all, though, I have to mention the suit – it’s drop-dead gorgeous! Maguire and Dafoe are perfectly cast. Dafoe even looks like the Norman Osborn from the comics! J. K. Simmons makes a brilliant J. Jonah Jameson! My only gripe about the cast is Kirsten Dunst. There doesn’t seem to be any chemistry between her and Maguire.

The story is also very faithful to the comic book canon. Very little has been changed, and the one or two alterations are done either to bring it more up to date (such as the spider being genetically engineered rather than being zapped by radiation), or by other constraints. Whilst I’m on the subject of the spider, I loved the fact that they made it the colour of the suit.

This is one of those films that you have to see. Even if you’ve never read a comic in your life you’ll love it. No prior knowledge of Spider-Man is required. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Now for some trivia. Look out for Stan Lee (the creator of Spidey), Bruce Campbell (Sam Raimi’s longtime friend & colleague) and Ted Raimi (Sam’s brother). All will feature in the sequels too. And for the Xena fans among us – keep an eye out for Lucy Lawless (also a friend of Raimi) – almost unrecognizeable as a punk!

Rating: