Spider-Man

Name: Spider-Man
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Released: May 3, 2002
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Tobey Maguire

2002

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 1050 Ratings

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8.6

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SPIDER-MAN

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: May 3, 2002

Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Tobey Maguire

Summary: Peter Parker (Maguire), after being bitten by a genetically altered spider, becomes Spider-Man, a hero of superhuman strength with the ability to cling to any surface. He dedicates himself to a life of fighting crime, while living a double life as a superhero and working student. (Sony)

Director: Sam Raimi

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 121 min

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Awards & Rankings

74	#74 Best Movie of 2002
4	#4 Most Discussed Movie of 2002
2	#2 Most Shared Movie of 2002

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Portland Oregonian - Shawn Levy

It's hard to recall the last time a big-ticket summer movie delivered so fully on its promise. Read full review

Film Threat - Michael Dequina

Just about the truest and most satisfying screen adaptation most anyone could have ever hoped for. Read full review

New York Daily News - Jack Mathews

Spider-Man is an almost-perfect extension of the experience of reading comic-book adventures.

Baltimore Sun - Michael Sragow

When the cast and their director are really cooking, they conjure a bipolar sense of high school-age emotion -- and use it to fuel outrageous fantasy. Read full review

Chicago Tribune - Mark Caro

The Spider-Man saga is a classic for a reason, and the filmmakers don't squander the material's strengths. Read full review

Slate - David Edelstein

This is a star-making performance, as fresh and funny as Christopher Reeve's in Superman (1978). Read full review

L.A. Weekly - Manohla Dargis

Perhaps the real question, then, isn't how you update Spider-Man but why you would even try. Introduced in 1962, the original superhero helped to initiate the age of modern comics. Raimi hasn't figured out how to reconfigure him for the blockbuster age, and there are suggestions. Read full review

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User Reviews

AdamB.

Apr 8, 2007

One of the greatest movies of our time, "Spider-Man" brings to us a whole new genre of heroism and action. Even in 50 years, this movie will be widely revered like it is today.

10 of 15 users found this helpful

EthanAnSequoyah

Feb 20, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ethan's Review: I would like to say, this movie is the greatest marvel movie of all-time.

Sequoyah's Review: This movie changed my life.

To sum it all up, Spider-man… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

StevenF

Aug 2, 2013

Before the "Amazing" era began, there was another Spider-Man outing with Sam Raimi at the helm, leaving behind his horror roots to try his hand at the superhero craze that was sweeping Hollywood, and bring the webbed creature to the big screen, and he did so in a big way.
We get an originBefore the "Amazing" era began, there was another Spider-Man outing with Sam Raimi at the helm, leaving behind his horror roots to try his hand at the superhero craze that was sweeping Hollywood, and bring the webbed creature to the big screen, and he did so in a big way.
We get an origin tale with a light-hearted tone to show how Peter Parker, played by Tobey Maguire, gets bitten to the an infected spider and starts to develop superhuman abilities such as web swinging and strength, something he keeps secretive from everybody else, his aunt, his best friend Harry James Franco) and the "girl next door" Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst).
But with every hero comes a villain, and the perfect storm is brewing I'm the form of Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe), father to Harry and an almost father to Peter, a man obsessed with bettering the human condition, something he does to himself by administering a powerful drug which unleashes another side to the man, and not a very good side.
The concept of Spider-Man was always interesting as the likes of Norman Osborn being a primary villain played very close to the heart, he knows the people he is hurting, making the the pacing of the film much more personal and relevant. Each character has a connection and relationship with the next person and it feels much more fluid for this.
The film itself is a visual marvel, with the scenes of Spidey swinging through the city quite a delight to watch, and this is blended in with a humorous opening that takes a much more mellow and less serious approach which is a welcome change, they have colourful characters including the undeniable brilliance of J.K. Simmons playing J. Jonah Jameson, his wit, loudness and larger than life personality are standout moments of the film, Tobey Maguire also delivers a convincing performance as our masked spider, he is like a little child at Christmas bouncing around the screen, giving a different feel to the average superhuman.
But with the light tone there does come a sense of it being very cartoon-like, with a musical score that reflects this, but there is plenty to be said about the the emotional punch the film has to pack, with very quotable and heart-wrenching dialogue throughout.
It's a real kickstarter to a very successful story, and perhaps one of the benchmarks to the overwhelming craze of superhero films today.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

FilmClub

Mar 27, 2016

The pic’s first, and better, half is devoted to Peter’s makeover from campus dweeb to physically unique righter-of-wrongs. While visiting a Columbia U. science lab, Peter is bitten by a mutant blue-and-red spider. Next day, his vision is perfect and he’s newly buff, and it isn’t long beforeThe pic’s first, and better, half is devoted to Peter’s makeover from campus dweeb to physically unique righter-of-wrongs. While visiting a Columbia U. science lab, Peter is bitten by a mutant blue-and-red spider. Next day, his vision is perfect and he’s newly buff, and it isn’t long before he discovers he’s capable of spinning industrial-strength webs and walking up buildings.

He first uses his new strength and acrobatic skills to dispatch Mary Jane’s a-hole b.f. in a school fight, then thinks to impress her by earning money in a wrestling challenge matched against a monster named Bone Saw. This entire apprenticeship section was always going to live or die on the charm and appeal of the actor playing Peter, and the initial sweet sensitivity Maguire conveys, followed by the growing thrill of self-discovery of his new superhuman abilities, proves captivating.

Peter’s strictly larky use of his powers comes to an unwelcome end when his uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson), who with wife May (Rosemary Harris) has raised the boy, is killed in a Manhattan carjacking. Donning Spider-Man gear and swinging via self-generated threads from building to building like an urban Tarzan, he dispatches the culprit while deftly eluding police seizure. Already in this early major action sequence, though, something feels a bit off; the movement seems herky-jerky, the pursuit unnecessarily hurried, so that while the sight of the young crime-buster gallivanting through the nocturnal canyons of New York City is impressive, it lacks the desired visceral thrill.

Naturally, Spider-Man requires an adversary, and he gets one in the form of the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), an armor-plated fiend who zips around like a rabid snowboarder on a heavily armed glider dropping pumpkin bombs on uncomprehending foes. Like Spider-Man, the Goblin has a human identity, that of Norman Osborn, an ousted corporate arms manufacturer who becomes a Jekyll-and-Hyde upon consuming an experimental formula of his own devising. Unlike Peter, Norman can’t control when he slips into his alternate self, and Dafoe’s best moments come when the two sides of his personality argue with one another and flip back and forth as quickly as a light switch.

Unfortunately, when “Spider-Man” settles into full superhero mode an hour in, the conventional contours of David Koepp’s script come fully to the fore. With the Green Goblin committing such heinous acts as blitzing a World Unity Festival in Times Square toplining Macy Gray and threatening to drop Mary Jane and a Roosevelt Island tram loaded with kids into the East River, he and Spider-Man face off in increasingly standard-issue good guy/bad guy fashion, with no bigger issues to give their rivalry special import. Further deflating the balloon is an abundance of over-cranked digital physical action that’s singularly lacking in grace or the feel of real movement, human or animal.

Welcome compensation comes in the form of Peter’s continued pursuit of Mary Jane, who remains oblivious to his dual personality for some time but eventually warms to his newfound confidence. For many teenage boys, pic’s highlight will not be found among the action interludes but rather in the scene of Mary Jane, her flimsy shirt drenched by rain, peeling back the lower part of Spider-Man’s facemask in order to kiss him while he’s hanging upside down in a dark street.

Ironically, it’s when “Spider-Man” sticks to simple human interaction that the film breathes and ingratiates itself. Chemistry between Maguire and the winning Dunst is excellent, and there are good moments, too, between Maguire and James Franco, who plays Norman’s unhappy son and Peter’s only friend at school, as well as with Robertson and Harris as Peter’s doting substitute parents. Cackling behind his armored Goblin costume, Dafoe is stuck with routine villainy when not writhing through his transformations, while standout supporting turn is served up by J.K. Simmons, who brilliantly catches his piece’s comicbook origins while snapping out funny one-liners as a cynical newspaper editor.

Physically imposing production is notable for Neil Spisak’s production design, which involves considerable invention but also allows New York City to play itself without Gotham City-like stylization. James Acheson’s costumes, beginning with the terrific ribbed Spider-Man outfit, are splendid, Danny Elfman’s score punches things up in customary form, and Don Burgess’ lensing, while accommodating the countless effects, makes the actors look great.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FranzHcritic

Jul 27, 2014

With an even pace, above average action scenes, and genuine emotional depth, it'll be enjoyable throughout the whole two hours. A thoughtful story about a man who becomes a superhero, and tries to win the heart of his longtime crush. There were so many ways to f**k this up, and Sam RaimiWith an even pace, above average action scenes, and genuine emotional depth, it'll be enjoyable throughout the whole two hours. A thoughtful story about a man who becomes a superhero, and tries to win the heart of his longtime crush. There were so many ways to f**k this up, and Sam Raimi didn't do that here. Here, he succeeded admirably. I still think Kirsten Dunst is annoying.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

marcmyworks

Dec 2, 2013

A decent starting point in the Spider-Man franchise which is only weakened by some Sam Raimi cheesiness and the worst Green Goblin costume ever featured.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

MessiahL.

Dec 4, 2007

Like Spiderman 3, Spidey 1 is atrocious. The 2nd is a masterpiece of the art form. Don't listen to individuals who didn't get at least a Bachelor's. Americans without such a degree are, by and large, retarded and, unfortunately... easily entertained. Nostalgia and Like Spiderman 3, Spidey 1 is atrocious. The 2nd is a masterpiece of the art form. Don't listen to individuals who didn't get at least a Bachelor's. Americans without such a degree are, by and large, retarded and, unfortunately... easily entertained. Nostalgia and first-impressions over content depth.… Expand

0 of 7 users found this helpful

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