Spider Man is very clearly a comic book movie. Make no bones about it. If youíve got problems accepting that someone could be imbued with amazing abilities from being bitten by a spider, or if you think the idea of dressing up in a flashy costume and fighting other costumed people is stupid, then this isnít the movie for you. Sam Remi said from the outset that this was going to be a movie for Spider Man fans first and foremost.

Now, having said that, it was a GOOD comic book movie. In fact, it was an excellent comic book movie, which is amazing considering the inability of Marvel to make the successful transition to the big screen in the past 20 years. So if you are in fact a fan of comic books, you canít do better than this film. Itís simply awesome.

The Spider Man of this film is the newer one, meaning he has actual spinnerets instead of handy dandy web-slingers he made himself with a home chemistry kit. It's a little jarring for those who know the old Spider, but it works well for the film. After this film, I even find myself even liking that idea better than the original story in fact.

Simply put, this movie was great. The casting worked excellently, even in those cases where I was little hesitant about the person. Aunt May came off as a bit more frumpy than frail, but even that was more simply a play on expectations more than anything else. Uncle Ben is a wise, loving and lovable father figure, Norman Osbourne is a brotherly friend to Peter, Mary Jane is the poor aspirant who hides it behind a party girl, everyone is how they should be for the tale. What is most striking however, is not that these characters are as you would expect them to be in the comics, itís exactly how vividly these roles are portrayed. Uncle Ben isnít wise because he says he is, or anyone else claims it; Norman doesnít just announce his closeness to Peter. These people show it in their interactions. Uncle Benís parting words about great power and responsibility might have been a straight rip from the original comic books, but theyíre delivered in a poignant and powerful way. The same can be said of every character in this film.

Really though, what made the movie were the details. There were scenes where Spidey is still learning what he can do, and how to do it. The awkward discovery period is fantastic for development as it is entertaining. When he first starts to get the hang of swinging through the streets, the camera is a first person shot. The constant up and down motion not only gives you a feel for what it's like for him, but it's slightly uncomfortable (the film wouldn't be able to sustain the shot for long or people would get sick). But for a Spider Man who is just learning how to do things, this is new and disorienting to him too. Later, when he has a better grip on things, the camera pulls back and stays steady as he swings about. It's easier for us to watch just as it's easier for him to do. And the occasional scene where he's screaming "woo hoo" as he swings is a nice touch. If you were a high school student who got super powers, you'd be enjoying it too.

Mixed with the levity is some serious drama though, and this film delivers the classic expectation of taking its hero to the limits and really pushing things. Spider Man is certainly stretched and pushed to the point of almost breaking by his foe. And the stakes continually get upped, and the consequences, both physical and emotional, continue to mount in a fantastic climax that really makes to take a breath once it's all over.

The beginning of the final conflict is taken from the older issues of Spider Man, and though they softened it a bit (things went MUCH worse for the would-be hero in the comics than in this film) it's still quite good.

Definitely worth the price of a ticket, and more importantly, definitely worth the time involved in going.

RATING: 5/5 Stars

- Clifford Horowitz