So, _Spider-Man_ then...

Unforgivably geeky question: does Steve Ditko get a credit?

On the basis of the trailer, I can't wait ... but I'm going to have to for quite a while grrr

I really, really enjoyed the movie. More thoughts later when I"m not running into a meeting.

Casting was really good. Tobey Maguire was a perfect Spider-Man, particularly since Peter Parker is about the most unglamorous person on the face of the earth. Kirsten Dunst did an excellent job of humanizing MJ, as well; she was the pretty popular girl with a lot of friends whose personal life was an absolute disaster. Willem Dafoe came across as a very tragic character, in keeping with what I know of the Green Goblin's history. Giving Harry a misfit angle made his friendship with Peter make more sense than it did in the comic book. The fight sceness were LOVELY and the way Peter evolved into his powers was handled really well. I also liked the pacing of the film; more time was spent on fleshing out the characters, so that when a confrontation happened, you actually cared about the outcome. Also, the overall tone of the movie was fantastic and fit in very well with the "with great power comes great responsibilty" tagline that forms the center of the concept. The ending in particular I thought was outstanding; you certainly don't see that many summer blockbusters go down that route, and they did actually manage to finish telling the story while leaving enough threads for a sequel to pick up. I'd even go as far as to say that it's the most mature of the Marvel films released so far.

The thing I was most surprised about, however, was the preview for the Hulk movie! Directed by Ang Lee? EXCELLENT. At this rate, Marvel won't need to produce comic books any more.

The movie got a very good write-up in The Guardian today.

Requests for sequel: lots more Daily Bugle stuff, MJ uses "tiger" at least 60 times, and the Sandman is involved in some fashion. (I'd REALLY like to see some Sinister Six action, but that'd be pushing it.) (And I don't want to sound like one of Those Fans, tho it's painfully clear that I am.)

And while I'm here, I must say the 1st issue of Ultimate Spider-Man - given away as part of Free Comic Book Day & @ the theatre - is damn disappointing.

My biggest gripe was with the action sequences. Well choreographed, but totally weightless. I hear raves about the integration of the CGI/greenscreen stuff and the live-action stuff, but to me, it was like watching a movie break into extended Playstation sequences periodically.

When actual actors/stuntmen are fighting, there are only four words that come to mind -- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. 'Nuff said. (Yes, that's on purpose).

These are not good things, especially given the level of the quiter moments. It hewed pleasantly closely to the comic (I'm a fan), and the modernizing updates worked fine (although it would have been nice to see the movie set in the early '60's). Tobey is quite good as Peter Parker; he's not much as Spiderman (see Morphin comment above). Everyone else is adequate in context.

Ultimately, a disappointment, but I've come to realize that when you religiously read comics from age 3-15, the movie is bound to fall short of expectations.

Best moment -- preview for The Hulk. Just a teaser. In a GIANT theater in Times Square, the place erupted. Loudest moment of a loud night.

Well, be sure to come back and complain when that comes out, too.

OH THE IRONY.

And, duh, Kraven's bi. Leopard skin vest, hello. MYSTERIO is a faggot (obviously, all the smoke and purple & green and a STUNTMAN). The Vulture's a lech. Spidey needs more / any villainesses.

Personally, I'm more concerned that Chris's idea of sex tourism is scouring the streets for bootleg copies of "Spiderman"...

ooh look, Spiderman 2 villains - but no BIRDS among them, oh well...

Oh - how about Paste Pot Pete?

Yes, and other guys' manhoods, too; HAW HAW HAW HAW!

I want The Thousand to appear in a movie, even if it isn't a Spider-Man movie. That concept is just so freaked out. Garth Ennis = insane monkey.

only three more words about it though: that pink dress!!!!!!!!!

The love story can move on - but its going to take at least half a film before they can get together else it will relegate all meaning to the ending of the first movie. Death Of Gwen Stacy might be a nice idea but
a) No Gwen Stacy that means anything to PP yet
b) The "off of bridge thing" has already been done without the breaking of a neck.

The only other decent villain would be the Kingpin - and he's been nicked for the Daredevil movie.

Or, Gwen could be vulnerable because Peter is always ditching her without plausible explanation, leading to a situation where she becomes romantically involved with someone in the Spider-Man rogue's gallery (Beetle, maybe?), again, without knowing that the person has an alter-ego. The denoument of the movie could involve her dumping both of them after the climactic battle and getting the hell out of NYC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYKaP04-siE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUcktiQxC9Q

Shoot, even with nostalgia, I wouldn't want a DVD box set of that show.

Watched them back when aired (adding to the gratitude of the current movie/tv quality), but can't remember if they included MJ or Gwen as characters. I see JJJ and Glory Grant, and Betty Brant right after? My vague memory is that Spider-Man was more the "weekly mob bad guy" type show, versus trying to integrate comic villains like Doc Ock or Mysterio.

That was the best acting I've ever seen in my whole life