Spider-Man (2002)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Sam Raimi

Writers (WGA):

Stan Lee (Marvel comic book) and
Steve Ditko (Marvel comic book) ...

Release Date:

3 May 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

With great power comes great responsibility.

Plot:

When bitten by a genetically modified spider, a nerdy, shy, and awkward high school student gains spider-like abilities that he eventually must use to fight evil as a superhero after tragedy befalls his family.

Plot Keywords:

Spider | Superhero | High School | Newspaper | Spider Bite

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 40 nominations

Cast

Tobey Maguire	...	Spider-Man / Peter Parker
Willem Dafoe	...	Green Goblin / Norman Osborn
Kirsten Dunst	...	Mary Jane Watson
James Franco	...	Harry Osborn
Cliff Robertson	...	Ben Parker
Rosemary Harris	...	May Parker
J.K. Simmons	...	J. Jonah Jameson
Joe Manganiello	...	Flash Thompson
Gerry Becker	...	Maximilian Fargas
Bill Nunn	...	Joseph 'Robbie' Robertson
Jack Betts	...	Henry Balkan
Stanley Anderson	...	General Slocum
Ron Perkins	...	Dr. Mendell Stromm
Michael Papajohn	...	Carjacker
K.K. Dodds	...	Simkins

Also Known As:

Spider-Man: The Motion Picture (USA) (working title)
Spiderman (USA) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for stylized violence and action.

Runtime:

121 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS (8 channels)

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #37531) | India:U | Italy:T | Malaysia:U | Brazil:Livre | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Austria:10 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Chile:TE | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Iceland:10 (original rating) | Iceland:LH (video rating) | Ireland:12 | Mexico:A | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Philippines:G | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | Taiwan:PG-12 | UK:12A (original rating) | UK:12 (video rating) (2002)

Filming Locations:

4th Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Although Spider-Man is an iconic figure for New York, the majority of the film was actually made in Los Angeles. Only two weeks' worth of location filming was done in the Big Apple.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the World Unity Fair sequence Times Square alternates between the real Times Square and the digitally altered one created for the movie. The main difference is the signage (ie the altered version doesn't have the gigantic Cup-O-Noodle sign).

Quotes:

[first lines]
Peter Parker: [voiceover] Who am I? You sure you want to know? The story of my life is not for the faint of heart. If somebody said it was a happy little tale... if somebody told you I was just your average ordinary guy, not a care in the world... somebody lied.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Toby Maguire spins a mean web...excellent fun movie...

One of the most successful translations of "comic book to screen" has fine results in SPIDER-MAN, a handsomely produced version of the comic book classic with a sprightly score by Danny Elfman and some incredibly realistic looking CGI effects.

The simple plot of good vs. evil begins when Peter Parker is bitten by a spider while touring a local museum with his high school class. The plot thickens when he develops webs and the ability to soar over rooftops and vehicles with ease--as well as climbing walls. Toby Maguire plays the nerdy teen-ager with a wholesome air of innocent charm, his open-eyed expression never concealing the delight he takes in the role. As his girlfriend, Mary Jane, Kirsten Dunst does a likable enough job even if the costume department decided to dress her like a teen hooker.

Everyone else is in fine form. William Dafoe deserves top praise for his Green Goblin--evil enough to frighten the wits out of the faint-hearted. J. Jonah Jameson is excellent as the bombastic newspaper editor who takes advantage of his most famous client. Rosemary Harris and Cliff Robertson, in quieter roles, are warm and human. James Franco is believable as Peter's best friend.

Admirers of the comic book tales should have no trouble liking the movie with its amazing CGI effects. It's heart-warming and funny, with some terror thrown in for good measure. Good escapist entertainment even if the message seems a little vague. Message??