Spider-Man [DVD] [2002]

I felt involved all the way through, with the suspension of disbelief building until I was hardly analysing the movie at all - just enjoying it. Some of the computer graphics were a bit dodgy, and will probably look dated in a few years time (but then again the Superman flying scenes look dated now - and I still enjoy them).

Kirsten Dunst is a great female lead. She's not a "typical" US blockbuster female lead, and she's even got red hair like the original Mary Jane! Tobey Maguire is pretty good as Peter Parker. At one point he is excellent - it is at the end of the movie where he makes the ultimate sacrifice to protect those he loves (I won't go into details - I don't want to spoil it).

The sacrifice at the ending finished Spiderman with what I considered was a deep message full of integrity. Kind of bizarre to get that from a "Blockbuster". It left me with a good taste in my mouth.

The action scenes? Well they're great. The Times Square scene is massive, the 59th Street bridge scene is really nail-biting, and the final fight between Spidey and the Green Goblin is suitably dark, but also adrenaline pumping.

As an adult I don't know if I could watch this movie many times, it does not really have "hidden depths". (Probably if I'd seen it first as a kid, I'd have a lifetime of nostalgia coming back to it though.) However it fulfilled it purpose perfectly - it was aimed at a certain level of involvement, artistry and "intelligence" and it hit that level so perfectly I finished watching it the first time feeling elated.

And the Green Goblin is an amazing baddie! I thought he looked like some reject robot or something from photo's I'd seen in magazines, but when you see him in the film, and his voice, it's just perfect, and he comes out with some amazing villain phrases! You really can tell that Stan Lee, the creator of Spiderman, really did go to every extent to make sure that this film was as perfect as it should be with his involvement in the production of this film.

Okay, there are some really cheesy moments (the scene when all the New Yorkers throw stuff is the worst - you'll know what I mean when you see it, and they had the chance to kill Macy Gray - what a wasted opportunity), but the rest of the film is fabulous. I really wanted to hate this film, but I just couldn't help but love it!

Lets put it this way; while watching this film, I wanted it to end. This isn't because it was so bad, but because it was sheer perfection that it couldn't get any better, only worse. If it ended then it would end on a high note. But the film didn't end at those points, it just stayed perfect all the way through (cheese aside).

If you are not a Spiderman or action film fan, I still think you will be able to enjoy this film. You might not find it perfect like I do, but you certainly will enjoy immensely, it as it's well above average to say the least.

An amazing film.

Wow, was I wrong. I have two children 9 and 7 and sat back with them expecting to fall asleep within 10 minutes. Instead, the film gripped me from start to finish - it had everything. A decent storyline - 'gimpy kid gets bitten by super spider and turns into a genuine everyday super hero' plus a great villian played by the ever excellent Willen Dafoe.

And as for the effects. - STUNNING. The fight scenes with the Green Goblin are amazing. Spideman's costume is a work of art too - and this alone, in my mind at least, elevates it above the likes of Batman and Superman.

This is one of those rare films that manages to please the entire family. I'd be quite happy to sit back and watch it again with the kids or indeed on my own.

Something for all ages and sets the standard for which similar films will be judged.