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Spider-Man (Geoff's Take)
01/01/2003 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
Video: Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment CVR32161. 116 minutes plus 20 minute 'Making Of Spider-Man' film. Price: £12.99 (prices vary so shop around). stars: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst & Willem DaFoe. Check out website: www.cth.co.uk
Now this is a film I've been waiting to appear on video featuring Marvel's mainstay lead super-hero, your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man.
I've read and reviewed the 'Making Of' film as well as a thorough in-depth look at the special effects in Cinefex. I was eager for the real thing.
I can understand why there were so many pleased faces. This film does rock.
Granted there are some differences from the original 1963 comicbook version but it's far less unsettling than other film adaptations of everyday super-hero folk.
High School student and geek Peter Parker is bitten by an escaped mutant spider while on a school visit. Over night, he evolves to share some of the characteristics of spiders with improved physique, sharper eyesight, ability to climb walls, gymnastic skills, co-ordination, strength and the ability to generate webbing from his wrists. All of which are suitably demonstrated, albeit not closely watched by anyone to make any sense of or put together later.
Suitably disguised but not yet in his more recognisable costume, the Human Spider, re-named as Spider-Man by a wrestling promoter, beats a wrestler in the ring. Only getting a fraction of the money offered for winning so quickly, Peter Parker doesn't stop a thief escaping with his loot. Parker then discovers his Uncle Ben has been shot dead and pursues the murderer to an abandoned warehouse and discovers it is the same thief he let go.
The thief stumbles and falls out the window and Parker vows the creed his Uncle had told him, 'With great power, comes great responsibility' and starts clearing the streets of New York as Spider-Man.'
Around the same time, facing possible loss of contract for producing super-soldiers and technology, Norman Osborn decides to turn guinea pig with his own devices.
This in turn also gives him a split personality and strength and the dawn of the Green Goblin. With the possibility of Osborn being expelled from his own company, the Goblin tallies forth and proceeds to kill his own directors.
It's inevitable that both the Goblin and Spider-Man meet. Peter Parker is room-mates in Manhattan with Harry Osborn. Norman figures out Spidey's identity first and attacks Aunt May and later Mary Jane Watson to get Parker's attention for a final battle.
I've glossed over a lot of details in the above. There's quite a lot more. Do I have to say, 'Jonah Jameson'? There's also a brief cameo of Betty Brant who deserves a bigger part in the second film if for no other reason she's artist Steve Ditko's illustration come to life.
That's not to say there are somethings I'd have liked to have seen done a little better. There's fewer Spidey wise-cracks than I'd expect. Speaking through a muffled mask also indicates why as he could be hard to hear. I'd have also expected Jameson's editor, Joe Robertson, to be the tall lean chap from the comics as well. Minor details really. It's only the perfection in other areas that makes these stand out.
It's to director Sam Raimi's credit that this script has come to life so well under his hands.
There is enough here to please the regular film viewer as well as the ardent comic fan. On video, it's here for me to watch whenever I want. Those of you who've seen it in the cinema will have already got their own copy.
I doubt if it won't be long before anyone with a remote interest in the character won't have a copy on their shelves as well. About the only people not likely to enjoy this film are the Oscar Academy Voting Committee. Still, you can't have everything.
GF Willmetts
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