Spiderman

Original review:

Disclaimer: Just so you know, this review is not completely objective for two reasons:
1) I have been waiting for this movie since I was nine-years old. I am a Spiderman fan from way back. And,
2) I have yet to see Kirsten Dunst in anything I did not like.

That being said, if you have never read a Spiderman comic or even been interested in the world of superheroes, you'll consider this movie a "cute little live-action cartoon" that was worth the visit to the theater. But, if like me, Spiderman was what pulled you through the puberty years, this will be the best movie of the year, if not the decade, even though the director, Sam Raimi, took some dramatic license with the origin of the wallcrawler.

Tobey Maguire, an inspired casting choice by-the-way, stars as Peter Parker, alias, your friendly neighborhood Spiderman. Peter is bitten by a genetically engineered spider and is thusly transformed into a superhuman with spider-like powers. Maguire stays true to the innocence and torment of the original comic hero and even adds his own comedic flair to the teenage boy's realization that he has become one of the most powerful human beings on the planet. His practice session while learning how to
web-sling around the city is reminiscent of the Tarzan rip-off, George of the Jungle.

Kirsten Dunst stars as Peter's love interest in the film, Mary Jane Watson. It is obvious that Dunst had no idea about the character of M.J. though. Dunst portrays the redheaded "girl next door" as a tormented teen wanting desperately to fit in with the in crowd while suffering through massive insecurities. M.J. is really a very self-confident, narcissistic snob who in the 40-year history of the spider, believes she is too good for Peter. But again, Dunsts' ability to make you smile with her charm makes her a classic choice for Mary Jane.

And finally, Williem Dafoe stars as the archenemy of everyone's favorite wall-crawler, The Green Goblin. Dafoe's portrayal of the Jeckyl and Hyde persona of the insane mind of Norman Osborn and The Goblin is reminiscent of Jack Nicholson in The Shining.
I am granting this film three stars on a four star scale because even if you aren't a Spiderman fan, you'll enjoy the show as Peter learns to be the Amazing Spiderman.

Spiderman is rated PG-13.