Cheap Spider-Man (Widescreen Special Edition) (DVD) (Sam Raimi) Price

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Customer Reviews of Spider-Man (Widescreen Special Edition)

3 1/2 Stars for this Promising New Comic-Adaptation
I have to admit that I was not one of the legion of fans that was blown away by this film even though it was based on my all-time favorite comic-book hero, but I did see lots of potential for this latest comic-book to film series and history has proven me right there as I am writing this review after its first two sequels have come out. Yeah, I know, I'm cheating a bit here and Monday morning quarterbacking. <
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>The film is cast well, overall, especially Peter Parker's aunt and uncle played by Rosemary Harris and Cliff Robertson, and MJ is played with surprisingly pleasing spunk and charm by Kirsten Dunst who can normally be "distant" in whatever role she plays. All other supporting cast members are equally good and memorable; however, the main stars Tobey Maguire as Spidey/Parker and Willem Defoe as The Green Goblin are a little problematic. <
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>Tobey is perfect as Peter Parker, a young nerdy kid with a crush on the school's popular girl. He is also very convincing during the sequences in which he is discovering his new-found abilities. It is in the voice-overs of the CGI Spider-Man that we run into problems. For me, he just wasn't convincing as he was often monotone. That nasal quality he has when he speaks works well as Peter Parker, but as Spider-Man, he lacks the punch of a hero in his voice and his sense of comic-timing, a Spider-Man trademark, seems way off. <
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>In addition to the problems with Maguire as Spider-Man, I am even more dismayed by Willem Defoe as the Green Goblin. I just couldn't accept him in his "normal" role as a world leading scientist. He seems too much like a lunatic from the get-go and although he eventually becomes a wonderfully sinister Goblin, with the perfect voice for the role, he is a bit over-the-top in that part of his role as well. He's like the Incredible Hulk on steriods. It was absolutely laughable in a few segments where I don't think it was intended. <
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>As with all "introduction" episodes of a new comic-book transfer to the silver screen, the exposition of the film is long-winded and it takes quite some time to get the story rolling, but when it does, it is a compelling, and at times, moving plot, especially when it focuses on Parker's various relationships. I give Sam Rami, the director, and his writers kudos for that balancing act. <
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>Speaking of balancing acts, the effects are way over-the-top in that the CGI effects simply move too fast for the human eye to keep up with and when they do slow down, you can clearly notice that it is all CGI, and that really annoys me. I would like to see more actual stunt work, a la Superman and Batman, than a "virtual" Spider-Man. They need to seriously work on that aspect of this series. <
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>Okay, Steve, then why 3 1/2 stars for this film where you have so much negative to say. Well, it has a lot to do with being glad that Spidey finally made it to the silver screen. I grew up on this comic-book and seeing him on the screen just brings a smile to my face in spite of whatever flaws may be present. Some of the casting might be flawed, but they are good overall and Tobey Maguire may grown into the role as time marches on. The film is fun to watch as any comic-book to film should be, and the effects are good enough to sustain the film although they need to work on the realism factor. As my headlines read, this new series has promise.

SPIDERMAN
I was not thrilled when i saw that Maguire had been picked to play Peter Parker..i can't stand him, usually..all simpering, weird looking, and bug eyed, but he's not bad in this film..still he looks nothing like Parker from the comics..Parker is brown eyed and much better looking in the comics, but i digress, anyway, this movie worked for me..Kirsten Dunst was ok as mary jane again she looks nothing like the hot Mary Jane from the comics, but as Maguire does not look like Parker it works, now i did like Dafoe as Green Goblin, he was perfect, though i do wish his mask had moved with his facial expressions..they could have done alot more with that...but his fight with Spiderman at the end is spectacular, as for Falco as Harry..yawn...If your a fan of Spiderman, you'll like it..if not well, maybe not, i just saw the third one..and id rate the films..Spiderman 2, the best..then Spiderman 3, then this film..i gave it four stars but it's really more like three and a half at the most.