Spider-Man (2002)

When bitten by a genetically modified spider, a nerdy, shy, and awkward high school student gains spider-like abilities that he eventually must use to fight evil as a superhero after tragedy befalls his family.

Director:

Sam Raimi

Writers:

Stan Lee (Marvel comic book), Steve Ditko (Marvel comic book),

Stars:

Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 44 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tobey Maguire	...	Spider-Man / Peter Parker
Willem Dafoe	...	Green Goblin / Norman Osborn
Kirsten Dunst	...	Mary Jane Watson
James Franco	...	Harry Osborn
Cliff Robertson	...	Ben Parker
Rosemary Harris	...	May Parker
J.K. Simmons	...	J. Jonah Jameson
Joe Manganiello	...	Flash Thompson
Gerry Becker	...	Maximilian Fargas
Bill Nunn	...	Joseph 'Robbie' Robertson
Jack Betts	...	Henry Balkan
Stanley Anderson	...	General Slocum
Ron Perkins	...	Dr. Mendell Stromm
Michael Papajohn	...	Carjacker
K.K. Dodds	...	Simkins

Storyline

Based on Marvel Comics' superhero character, this is a story of Peter Parker who is a nerdy high-schooler. He was orphaned as a child, bullied by jocks, and can't confess his crush for his stunning neighborhood girl Mary Jane Watson. To say his life is "miserable" is an understatement. But one day while on an excursion to a laboratory a runaway radioactive spider bites him... and his life changes in a way no one could have imagined. Peter acquires a muscle-bound physique, clear vision, ability to cling to surfaces and crawl over walls, shooting webs from his wrist ... but the fun isn't going to last. An eccentric millionaire Norman Osborn administers a performance enhancing drug on himself and his maniacal alter ego Green Goblin emerges. Now Peter Parker has to become Spider-Man and take Green Goblin to the task... or else Goblin will kill him. They come face to face and the war begins in which only one of them will survive at the end.

---

Plot Keywords:

spider | evil | fight | student | superhero | 

---

Taglines:

Get Ready For The Ultimate Spin!

---

Genres:

Action | Fantasy

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for stylized violence and action

Details

Official Sites:

Columbia Pictures [us] Columbia TriStar [uk]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 May 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Spider-Man: The Motion Picture

Filming Locations:

4th Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$139,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$130,613 (Brazil) (2 August 2002)

Gross:

$15,917,016 (Brazil) (11 October 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Marvel Enterprises, Laura Ziskin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS (8 channels)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tobey Maguire said he had never read a Spider-Man comic book but took the role because he liked the script.

---

Goofs

When the Green Goblin is menacing him, Spider-Man's left eye cover, which had been torn off earlier in the fight, momentarily (re)appears, then is gone in the next shot.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Peter Parker: [voiceover] Who am I? You sure you want to know? The story of my life is not for the faint of heart. If somebody said it was a happy little tale... if somebody told you I was just your average ordinary guy, not a care in the world... somebody lied.

---

Crazy Credits

Towards the end of the closing credits the theme song from the original Spider-Man animated series is played.

---

Connections

Referenced in Darkness Falls (2003)

---

Soundtracks

"When It Started"
Written by Julian Casablancas
Performed by The Strokes
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label, a unit of BMG Music and Rough Trade Records Ltd. (UK and Eire)
Under license from BMG Special Products

User Reviews

Toby Maguire spins a mean web...excellent fun movie...

One of the most successful translations of "comic book to screen" has fine results in SPIDER-MAN, a handsomely produced version of the comic book classic with a sprightly score by Danny Elfman and some incredibly realistic looking CGI effects.

The simple plot of good vs. evil begins when Peter Parker is bitten by a spider while touring a local museum with his high school class. The plot thickens when he develops webs and the ability to soar over rooftops and vehicles with ease--as well as climbing walls. Toby Maguire plays the nerdy teen-ager with a wholesome air of innocent charm, his open-eyed expression never concealing the delight he takes in the role. As his girlfriend, Mary Jane, Kirsten Dunst does a likable enough job even if the costume department decided to dress her like a teen hooker.

Everyone else is in fine form. William Dafoe deserves top praise for his Green Goblin--evil enough to frighten the wits out of the faint-hearted. J. Jonah Jameson is excellent as the bombastic newspaper editor who takes advantage of his most famous client. Rosemary Harris and Cliff Robertson, in quieter roles, are warm and human. James Franco is believable as Peter's best friend.

Admirers of the comic book tales should have no trouble liking the movie with its amazing CGI effects. It's heart-warming and funny, with some terror thrown in for good measure. Good escapist entertainment even if the message seems a little vague. Message??