Spider-Man - Limited Lenticular Edition Steelbook Blu-ray

The film that changed the face of the comic book genre and blockbuster filmmaking forever and also helped pave the way for everything from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the The Dark Knight Trilogy. The film follows Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), a shy high school student, who is often bullied by his fellow classmates. However, his life changes when he is bitten by a genetically altered spider and gains superpowers and has to face the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe).This film holds a lot of nostalgia value for me and is one of my favourite comic book films of all time and personally I think it still holds up today and is far superior to many of the films in the comic book genre that we see released today. The film is very much a typical origin story movie in its plot structure, but its the level of personality, world building and directorial techniques that elevate it too so much more. New York has been featured in countless films of all different genres but I think it is captured the best here. Director Sam Raimi dedicates a substantial amount of time to the city and its inhabitants. When Spider-Man begins saving people there is a montage of different NYC residents voicing their opinion, all are unique and memorable despite getting a fraction of screen time. The world is bold, colourful and feels lived in, exactly like the world of the source material does, so much so that you can believe that any other Marvel character could show up at any moment.Raimi's roots lie with horror as the creator of the classic Evil Dead franchise. Here with a substantial budget and clear love for the character he really brings his A-game when it comes to the directorial techniques. The first person swinging sequences, the sharp horror style editing and imagery brought to the forefront and the whip-pans and scene transitions that are reminicent of a comic book page being turned. The action sequences have great spectacle to them, the Goblin's parade battle entrance oozes atmosphere and menace, the bridge battle is tense and well choreographed and the final punch up is brutal, bloody and pushes the boundaries of the 12 age rating.The cinematography is excellent, with memorable shot after memorable shot, from the perfectly choreographed and swooping movements of the webslinging to the rain drenched iconic kissing scene to the manic Osborn mansion mirror sequence, every location is memorable and looks great. The props and costumes fit the world that the film has created. Spider-Man's suit still is one of the best to this day and I know there is a divide in opinion on the Green Goblin costume due to it being unemotive and looking a bit like a Power Ranger or action figure, but I think it works well enough considering the level of enthusiasm Dafoe is giving behind the mask. The score by Danny Elfman is one of my all time favourites and easily is lives up to his iconic Batman theme.To me Tobey Maguire is still the definitive on screen version of Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Sure it's clear that he and the rest of the cast are not high school age, but its the performances that matter. Maguire captures the emotional and awkwardness of the character perfectly and intentionally cheesy enough so that it is exactly like the comics of the 60's, yet modernised. He gives 100% in every scene and has some brilliant quip delivery as well as powerful dialogue. Willem Dafoe is a cackling riot as the Green Goblin, perfectly nailing the dual personality and sadistic insanity of the character, especially in the excellent mirror reflection sequence. Kirsten Dunst is the perfect 'girl next door' as Mary Jane Watson, James Franco gives Harry Osborne a substantial level of depth and the interactions between him and Norman are some of the best dramatic moments. J.K. Simmons might just be the perfect page to screen interpretation of a character as the hilariously angry and sarcastic J.Jonah Jameson and Rosemary Harris & Cliff Robertson are the perfect representation of 'good' as Aunt May & Uncle Ben.Though its CGI may have dated and that time has moved on 18 years since its release. Spider-Man is a modern superhero classic featuring iconic scenes and lines that defined the cinema landscape at the time, characters that to me will always be the definitive on screen version and thrilling action and spectacle that will always be thrilling to watch, with it all being accompanied by a legendary score.