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Movies / On DVD / Spider-Man
Spider-Man

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Spider-Man (2002)

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Reviews Counted:11

Fresh:10

Rotten:1

Average Rating:7.5/10

Consensus: Not only does Spider-Man provide a good dose of web-swinging fun, but it also has a heart, mainly due to Maguire.

Runtime: 2 hrs 1 min

Genre: Action/Adventure

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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Reviews for Spider-Man

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1 - 11 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Colourful, energetic and well-cast, Spider-Man is a good-quality, highly-entertaining action movie.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
03/05/08
Daniel Etherington
Daniel Etherington
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Practically pitch-perfect summer entertainment.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/30/06
Ian Freer
Ian Freer
Empire Magazine
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This accomplished blockbuster announces itself as a stylish piece of pop myth-spinning.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
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This is entertaining stuff, and Sam Raimi has spun a good yarn for the summer.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
06/18/02
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
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A stylish, exciting, and ingenious thrill-ride.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
06/10/02
Neil Smith
Neil Smith
BBC
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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
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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 9 Comments
05/03/02
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
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Though [Raimi's] Spider-Man marks time more than it needs to and is no more than sporadically exhilarating, it does enough things right to be a solid comic-book citizen.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
05/02/02
Kenneth Turan
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
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The filmmakers have succeeded in rejuvenating the character while staying faithful to his roots.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/02/02
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
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An escapist confection that's pure entertainment.

Full Review Source: CNN.com | comment Comment
05/02/02
Paul Clinton (CNN.com)
Paul Clinton (CNN.com)
CNN.com
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Guileless and charming with a perpetual look of startled bewilderment at the super powers he possesses, Maguire is perfect as an ordinary guy with a big secret.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
04/22/02
Kirk Honeycutt
Kirk Honeycutt
Hollywood Reporter
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1 - 11 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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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 Opens in new window
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...

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