Review: Spiderman Is Here To Stay.
- Feb 12, 2017
- 2 min read
In 2002, the world of cinema was introduced to Spiderman, and too much applause. But, after more than a decade has passed, does it still hold up?
After being bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter Parker (Toby Maguire) is granted strange new powers. He can climb up walls, is super strong and fast and can project web-like cables from his wrists. He is no longer what he once was, he is now, Spiderman. But something evil is afoot in New York City. Norman Osborne (Willem Dafoe), a brilliant scientist and head of OsCorp, has begun trialling experimental strength serum on himself. A combination of intellect and insanity creates the Green Goblin, an individual obsessed with chaos and disorder. And so the scene is set for a showdown the likes of which the world has never seen.
While not the first superhero film, Spiderman was easily the biggest of its time and it has the cast an action to suit. While some of the acting is less than great, most noticeably in Toby Maguire who, as Peter is decent enough but his Spiderman is so cut and dry he looses much of the characters charm. Willem Dafoe is wonderfully over the top and almost draws even with J.K. Simmons' J. Jonah Jameson who is by far the best part of the movie.
The action is also pretty good, even if the effects are a little dated. While it lacks the scale of the modern superhero films it manages to stand alongside them through more imaginative scenarios and a villain that stands the test of time.
While a number of elements, mostly the performances and effects, haven't survived the early 2000's, enough of Sam Rami's original Spiderman remains entertaining that it's not hard to recommend.
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