Spider-Man (2002) [DVD]

Think it's better than the newer version.

'Nobody says No to me' quips the Green Goblin, and nobody should say no to watching it. 40 years since his first appearance in 1962 upon the pages of 'Amazing Fantasy' courtesy of Stan Lee at Marvel comics, the web-slinger finally swings his way onto the silver screen, leaving mouths gaping and eyes bewildered. Piloted by American Sam Raimi, who wrote and directed the 1982 cult classic 'The Evil Dead' at the tender age of 18, comic fans and movie buffs alike waited with anticipation.Opening with the 'Who Am I?' Over voice, the film runs along at tremendous pace, piecing together what would later complete the tale in terms of characterization and depth. While on a field trip to a local laboratory in New York, shy Parker finally finds his chance of talking to his only love, Watson, by offering to photograph her for the school paper. In doing so, Parker is bitten by a genetically-altered spider, leaving him dazed and drowsy and eventually sending him to bed. The next morning dawns and Parker is no-longer in need of his thick black goggles, while his strength and stature are to impress. As the day slowly unfolds, Parker continues to learn more unexplainable discoveries about his new gift and why life will never be the same again. With trouble from Norman Osbourn's alter-ego the Green Goblin, who flies through the streets of the Big Apple on a glider of his own design, throwing pumpkin bombs to the innocent citizens below, Parker's life becomes harder by the day as he begins to realize that with great power, comes great responsibility. To watchers unfamiliar to the story of Spider-Man will find this as easy to view as fans, as Raimi lays down a majority of the facts making this a highly enjoyable movie. Unlike Tim Burtons' 'Batman' and Warren Beattys' 'Dick Tracy', the scenery to which the action is staged is New York as its stands, different from the dark and repressed Gotham City and High Color picturesque of Tracy.With echoes from his previous films 'The Evil Dead' and 'Darkman', Raimi has nevertheless assembled one of the finest films to come from 2002, that will be referred to among other comic-strip classics, such as 'Batman' and 'The Crow'. The soundtrack is fine, but Elfman's two tracks stick for much longer than any of the pop infecting your ears. A marvelous film with all the ingredients to stay fresh for years to come.

Spiderman was one of the most eagerly awaited movies of 2002, which is a lot of baggage to carry when setting out to make an adaptation of one of the most popular comic strips ever. However, with Sam Raimi safely entrusted with the responsibility of Directorial duty and the excellent casting of Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker and Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, this movie always looked a sure-fire winner and indeed it is exactly that.As everybody knows Spider-man's alter ego Peter Parker is that anonymous boy next door, the boy who never gets the girl and whom the girl doesn't even notice. He's as pure as the driven snow, devoted to his Aunt and Uncle, the boy for girls to take home to their mother, safe, kind but somewhat unexciting. Bullied at school, he is the butt of everyone's jokes and regarded as something of a nerd, a bit of a loser. However, after being bitten by a genetically modified spider, Peter transforms overnight from anonymous boy next door to super hero in this good guys can come first comic-book tale.There are so many good things about Spider-man it is hard to know where to start. First off, what I found most impressive and refreshing was the screenplay, which unlike most major Hollywood studio major event movies actually relies on narrative, plot and character development to tell the story instead of just loosely sewing together action scenes with meaningless dialogue (Simon West are you listening?). Credit for this should go to writer David Koepp and Director Sam Raimi for avoiding this obvious pitfall that has spoilt many a summer blockbuster (such as Tomb Raider to give but one example). Raimi's direction is sure-footed and subtle and the decision to give him megaphone duties has proven to be well vindicated. The casting of Tobey Maguire is another masterstroke because Tobey Maguire is undoubtedly one of the most talented young actors around with a CV of critically acclaimed performances in critically acclaimed movies, that seasoned veterans would be proud of, such as; Ride With The Devil, Pleasantville, The Ice Storm, The Wonder Boys and The Cider House Rules. With Mr Maguire as Peter Parker we get performance of depth and subtlety of a teenager struggling with more than the normal transformation from boy to man. Kirsten Dunst (Drop Dead Gorgeous, The Virgin Suicides) is also a spectacular success with her girl next-door looks and range and depth of emotion and ability, as is Willem Dafoe (Platoon, Light Sleeper etc.) in the villainous role of the Green Goblin, carefully avoiding too much ham.All that said there are some faults. For example, some of the web-slinging CGI is a disappointment and up close the green goblins headgear is a bit poor. Spider-Man is also apparently (according to all the geeks) littered with continuity errors but much of that can perhaps be explained by the devastating happenings of September 11th, with several scenes featuring the twin towers, (including an apparently superb sequence with the villain's helicopter getting caught in webbing between the Twin Towers) having to be cut, along with the relevant narrative. Plus the final scenes where a crowd of New Yorkers hurl objects at the Green Goblin has a definite tagged on feel to it but the who can blame them for it's addition is entirely appropriate and rightly captures the spirit of NYC in the aftermath of 9/11: "Ya take one of us on, ya take us all on!" shouts one patriotic New Yorker. Ending with our favourite web-slinger against the backdrop of the stars and stripes, Spider-Man is a resounding success and with Raimi, Maguire and Dunst all signed up for the sequel, I personally cant wait for Spider-Man 2.

I loved this film as a kid, and I still do. Originally I had the DVD copy but sadly, I lost the copy like a spider crawling away after attempts of the tissue grab.As years go on by, I saw Spider-man 3 on Channel 5 airing repeatedly. And I'd think to myself- "why don't they show Spider-man 1 on the TV?" Since then, I thought about the movie more and more. With the invention of Blu-ray, I had in mind "Why don't I get the HD Version of it?" So I did. I didn't have enough money for the new copies so I turned to the used copies. And my, the copy was in perfect condition.As soon as the Blu-ray popped through the post, I'd felt like I was on cloud nine. I rushed into my Parents' room and fired up the Blu ray player! I was just filled with excitement. The moment I pressed "Play movie" on the remote, It was just like the good old days. My nostalgia-meter was right at the top. Breath-taking aerobatics, Cheesy one-liners and the perfect balance between comedy and action. Willem Dafoe as Goblin did a high quality performance. Actually, all of the cast were properly selected. I have to say well done Mr. Raimi!However, Spider-man 1 is the only favourite movie of mines throughout the series. I felt something was missing in Spider-man 2 and in Sam's final chapter of the trilogy, A lot of things went haywire like a spider's web. The Amazing Spider Man (I'd like to call it 'The not-so Amazing Spider Man') was a dreary film too. But I did like the romance between Gwen and Peter... :DOverall, the service by the seller was exceptional and the film is top notch.