Spider-Man (Widescreen Special Edition)
by Sam Raimi
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Cliff Robertson, James Franco, Kirsten Dunst, Tobey Maguire, Willem DafoeDirector: Sam Raimi
Brand: MAGUIRE,TOBEY
Cinematographer: Don Burgess
Composer: Danny Elfman
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Original Language); French (Unknown); Spanish (Unknown); English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Dubbed)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 121 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-11-01
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Movie Reviews of Spider-Man (Widescreen Special Edition)
Movie Review: The Superhero Film That Started It All
Summary: 4 Stars
In 2002, when this film was released, the two other major superhero franchises were sputtering to say the least. The Superman character hadn't been portrayed on the big screen since Christopher Reeve did his last fly-over, while the Batman franchise had left off with the farcical Batman and Robin, one of the worst films ever produced. Only the fantasy-based Lord of the Rings trilogy had transformed a literary character into a popular film icon, but that was based on a novel, not a comic franchise. Thus, this first Spiderman film really paved the way for us comic book and superhero geeks to get more of the heroes we so desperately wanted.
Of course, in order to set this standard, the film had to be good, which it is. The special effects are incredible (especially Spidey swinging through the skyscrapers), the acting is by-and-large very good, and the entire plot gives subtle nods to Spidey fans while bringing the rest of us up to speed on how/why Peter Parker becomes the web-slinging hero.
For a quick plot synopsis, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is a high school science nerd who, after being bitten by a genetically-altered radioactive spider, starts developing spider-like attributes, such as web-slinging, a sort of pre-cognition (known as spider-sense), and the ability to climb on any and all surfaces. While dealing with those newfound abilities, Parker's relationship to childhood sweetheart and girl-next-door Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) is also explored. Finally, a superhero movie would not be complete without a menacing villain, in this case the brilliantly insane Green Goblin (William Dafoe) of Spidey comic lore.
The film does a great job establishing the Spiderman character, his relationship with "MJ", and the action scenes are gripping. The only possible downside of the film might be its overly simplistic themes. It's not anywhere near Christopher Nolan's take on the Dark Knight (very dark and complex) or even Bryan Singer's dramatic Superman Returns. Instead, it is a much more light-hearted film that, when it does get dramatic, just deals with the simple good guy/bad guy conflict. Some will like this approach, others may not.
To conclude, Spiderman is a very entertaining film that, while it may not leave you pondering the very essence of life like The Dark Knight, will hold your full interest for two whole hours. Upon its conclusion, you will be more than ready for the sequel!
Summary of Spider-Man (Widescreen Special Edition)
Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider and develops spider-like abilities.Genre: Feature Film-Action/Adventure
Rating: PG13
Release Date: 6-SEP-2005
Media Type: DVD
For devoted fans and nonfans alike, Spider-Man offers nothing less--and nothing more--than what you'd expect from a superhero blockbuster. Having proven his comic-book savvy with the original Darkman, director Sam Raimi brings ample energy and enthusiasm to Spidey's origin story, nicely establishing high-school nebbish Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) as a brainy outcast who reacts with appropriate euphoria--and well-tempered maturity--when a "super-spider" bite transforms him into the amazingly agile, web-shooting Spider-Man. That's all well and good, and so is Kirsten Dunst as Parker's girl-next-door sweetheart. Where Spider-Man falls short is in its hyperactive CGI action sequences, which play like a video game instead of the gravity-defying exploits of a flesh-and-blood superhero. Willem Dafoe is perfectly cast as Spidey's schizoid nemesis, the Green Goblin, and the movie's a lot of fun overall. It's no match for Superman and Batman in bringing a beloved character to the screen, but it places a respectable third. --Jeff Shannon
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