In this, the first big screen outing for Spider-Man, an extremely well cast Tobey Maguire plays Peter Parker. Orphaned at a young age, Peter is something of a social outcast at his New York school. Desperate to capture the attentions of Mary Jane (Dunst), Peter Parker photographs her on a field trip to Columbia University. It's there however, that he's bitten by a genetically altered spider and begins to experience some 'interesting' side effects. Realising that he has acquired superhuman powers, Parker puts them to good use by battling crime. His biggest test, however, comes in the shape of his best friend's father. A renowned scientist, Norman Osborn (Dafoe) uses himself as a guinea pig in a series of dangerous experiments, which ultimately ensures his transformation into the power hungry 'Green Goblin'. Although Spider-Man doesn't deviate radically from the traditional summer blockbuster fare - huge explosions, chases and special effects mayhem - particular attention has been paid to constructing decent characters. Maguire is in excellent form, and if the story doesn't exactly make for plausible viewing - even if you take the superhero premise into account, there are still far too many coincidences in the plot to make it believable - Spider-Man is still an enjoyable farce.
