Read our review Cast: Tobey Maguire, (Peter Parker/ Spiderman) Kirsten Dunst, (Mary Jane Watson) Willem Defoe, (Norman Osborn/ Green Goblin) James Franco, (Harry Osborn) Rosemary Harris (Aunt May) Cliff Robertson (Uncle Ben) J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jamison) Ted Raimi (Dr. Curt Conners/Lizard) Watch For: Cameos by Bruce Campbell, Lucy Lawless Crew: Director: Sam Raimi Writers: David Koepp (The Shadow), Scott Rosenberg (Gone in 60 Seconds), Alvin Sargent (Anywhere but Here). Score: Danny Elfman Release Date: May 3, 2002 from Columbia Pictures Sites for more info:   The Trailer Official Website Spidermanhype fan site Check our other Special Sections

One of the most anticipated comic-book properties finally made it to the big screen in a BIG way!

Formerly planned as a James Cameron film, Sam Raimi (Evil Dead) took on the film after the success of X-Men kicked the property into high gear.

Raimi has caused some controversy by updating the film somewhat including making Spider-Man’s trade-mark webshooters organic instead of the mechanical creations of the Peter Parker.  Parker will still be a budding brilliant scientist though and most other elements of the Marvel comic book will be present. Raimi’s casting of Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst has primarily met with fan approval.

Unlike the cheesy 80s TV series, the webcrawler will be part man in suit, part computer animated effects giving Spider-Man much more freedom of movement, which should make it visually beautiful. Hopefully, the script will also be interesting as that is the usual place for films to break down. Raimi’s background in low budget films that concentrate on characters and story (Evil Dead series for instance) may serve this film well.

A sequel is coming July 2, 2004