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The action-adventure film "Spider-Man" is based on the Marvel Comics character Peter Parker who first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962. While Peter was growing up, his parents were killed in a plane crash, so he went to live with his Uncle Ben and Aunt May in New York City. Shy and serious, he became a social outcast, even though he was very bright. Turning to scholastic pursuits, he was attending a public exhibition on radiation, when an irradiated spider fell on his hand and bit him just before dying. Leaving the demonstration in pain, he quickly gained strange, spider-like abilities. Deciding to become an entertainment star, he created a costume and promoted himself as the Amazing Spider-Man. One day, Peter spotted a burglar fleeing the scene of a robbery and though he could have easily stopped the man, Peter allowed him to pass because he selfishly believed that it was not his responsibility to stop criminals. He returned home only to discover that an intruder had murdered his uncle. When the culprit was later captured, he realized that it was the thug he had allowed to escape earlier. Filled with remorse, Peter realized that with great power, there comes great responsibility. After his uncle's death, Peter and his Aunt May were forced to live on Social Security, so he earned a living selling photographs of Spider-Man in action to the Bugle, a local newspaper. Peter also began to use his powers to fight crime, though he remains a controversial figure. Spider-Man has defeated a vast number of costumed criminals, including the Kingpin, the Vulture, Electro, the Sandman, Mysterio, Dr. Octopus, the Green Goblin, Kraven the Hunter, the Scorpion, the Rhino, Venom and Carnage. To thwart his enemies, Spider-Man uses his superhuman strength, reflexes and equilibrium, the ability to cling to most surfaces, and a sixth sense that warns him of impending danger. Spider-Man's wrist-mounted web-shooters discharge thin strands of web-fluid at high pressure, which forms a very tough, flexible fiber with extraordinary adhesive qualities upon contact with air. The life of a superhero is not an easy one. His first love, Gwen Stacy, died during a fight against the Green Goblin. Other friends have also died, including Harry Osborn, son of the original Green Goblin; and Gwen's father, police Captain George Stacy. Peter's marriage to Mary Jane Watson ended in separation due to the stress caused by his superhero activities.
The film stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, although once he dons his costume and starts swinging around, many of the scenes are CGI. Willem Dafoe is Norman Osborn, aka the Green Goblin, a Spider-Man nemesis known for his pumpkin bombs and glider, who was altered to his current state by an out-of-control experiment. Kirsten Dunst plays Peter Parker's love interest, Mary Jane Watson. This film is based upon a script treatment by James Cameron, the very successful director of such hits as "Titanic" and "Terminator 2," but is directed by Sam Raimi, famous for his "Evil Dead" series. Danny Elfman is the composer, responsible for "Batman" and several Raimi films. There is a "Spider-Man 2" being planned, although the earliest release would be sometime in 2004. This film is one of several of Marvel Comics franchises being brought to the big screen, including "X-Men 2" and "Fantastic Four." Incredibly, there have been efforts since the 1970s to produce this film, so it is good to finally see everyone's efforts succeed.
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