Directed by Sam Raimi
Written by David Koepp (screenplay); Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (comic book)
Cinematography by Don Burgess

Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man/Peter Parker Willem Dafoe as Green Goblin/Norman Osborn Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson James Franco as Harry Osborn J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson Michael Papajohn as The Burglar Randy Poffo as Bone Saw McGraw Joe Manganiello as Eugene "Flash" Thompson Rosemary Harris as Aunt May Ted Raimi as Hoffman Cliff Robertson as Uncle Ben Parker Bill Nunn as Joe "Robbie" Robertson

Running Time: 121 min.
Release Date: May. '02

Overall Call:
I have to say Spiderman is one of the best comic book translations I've seen. Sam Raimi did a wonderful job of lifting a printed colorful comic book to film. The acting was solid with a brilliant scene stealing performance by J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson the newspaper editor. There was even a pleasant self-effacing, wink-wink nudge-nudge sensibility in the film that didn't allow it to take itself too serious. The sense of humor was great. I especially enjoyed the evolution that the viewer was able to share with Peter Parker while he learned his new gift and powers. Instead of one scene of super-power realization and the next all suited up and ready to go. The special effects were very well done and except for a couple of quick spots of blatant CGI I was very impressed. The film does have a couple of scenes of blood but other than that it is a good film the whole family will enjoy. Even the cheesy comic book dialogue was served up like aged cheddar. I look forward to the second installment set for 5/7/04.

Reasons For Recommendation:
+ Great take on a comic classic