Peter isn't loved in high school in the first Sam Raimi movie. He's taunted and tripped on the bus, for example. Osborne is his only friend because they are both outsiders.

To be honest, not to be a bastard, but reading your post only intensified my belief Raimi's Spider-Man films, at least the first two, are superior by a wide, wide margin.

Mary Jane learning Spider-Man's identity near the end of the second film, understanding the danger a relationship with Peter could pose, and choosing to be with him is far more dramatic and poignant than Gwen's reaction here, which is almost nonexistent. "I'm so in love! It's no big deal you're the mysterious, web-slinging vigilante my father hates and is hunting for day and night."

This film also indicates Aunt May knows, but she never stops Peter to say, "Peter, darling, this is a rather unconventional use of your time, and it is beyond dangerous, and you could easily die."

The Daily Bugle scenes, with Peter selling Spider-Man photographs (photos of himself) to a colorful conservative blowhard who hates Spider-Man, are, in my estimation, much more entertaining and playful than a few standard-issue sarcastic lines by Denis Leary.

The first two Raimi films deal with the superhero identity elements in far more compelling and creative ways.

Peter may not have been loved in the first, but Spider-Man was.

I appreciate that Gwen knows so early which makes the interaction between her and Peter after her dad's funeral that much more important. It wasn't wrong for her to think in the beginning to not worry too much but now that she knows Peter's secret after such a major event I believe leaves a different, more extreme impact.

Also, I'm glad he isn't in The Daily Bugle in this movie and we instead get snippets here and there of his time as a photographer. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see him interacting with the paper until the third film (in which they should also bring back JK Simmons).

I'm looking forward to the flip side of that:

"I've seen it all before and it does nothing exceptional or interesting, but I loved it!"

Spider-Man has his detractors in the Raimi films. Hello, the entire J. Jonah Jameson character. But it is true Peter's emergence as Spider-Man is more exciting, more transcendent, in the original film. This might be coloring your perception.

Gwen not being disconcerted or amazed by the revelation her nerdy high school pal Peter, of the billions of people in the world, is Spider-Man rings false for me. And the penultimate scene does, too. Peter's confident, cool promises line (and her smile) sits uneasy considering the promise in question was one made to her courageous father in his painful dying moments.

Bringing in J. K. Simmons again (Judi Dench/Casino Royale style, as pointed out by Lecter) wouldn't be a bad idea, I agree.

I agree with that. Just didn't felt right.

This film also had the best Stan Lee cameo in any Marvel film.

It's the best moment in the film.

Although my favorite Lee cameo is in Daredevil, where he's the first person we see Matt (as a child) save using his powers.

The score as well as this song selection are pretty fantastic in the film

The Coldplay skateboarding montage is...strange, but one of the film's more pleasant scenes, IMO.

The score is awful.

The score isn't awful, it's just there. Totally anonymous.

The film can't help but feel a bit been there done that, but Marc Webb and co. should be happy that they've put together a worthwhile movie that still manages to entertain given its proximity to the other movies. It's also significantly better than Spider-Man 3 and washes a bit of the bad taste of that movie away. Andrew Garfield is terrific: his Peter Parker is so different than Tobey Maguire's that it seems a bit foolish to directly compare them, but Garfield is great. The undisputed highlight of the movie must be the chemistry between Garfield and Emma Stone (delightful as usual), which is electric...it's not hard to realize they're a couple off-screen as well. Supporting performances from Sally Field, Martin Sheen and Denis Leary are solid as well, although Rhys Ifans' villain is fairly weak. I'm interested to see where they go with the next one. B

Whoa, the Man in the Shadows actor is the dude who shot Brandon Lee!

I liked it a lot but found it to drag at times. I wouldn't want to cut anything but there were times where it felt long. Wasn't that impressed with the villain either. But I thought Garfield and Stone were fantastic and I have to say I'm excited for the next one.

B+

It's like the 2002 film was such a perfect, flawless, iconic Spider-Man origin story that in its quest to be something different it just wound up being a recycled and far less enjoyable version. Everything in it just made me want to watch Raimi's film again, except maybe Garfield's performance. It's not bad, just totally forgettable next to the first film.

In my opinion it has just as much of an impact as the first if not moreso.

No, Elfman actually managed to create a theme for Spider-Man. It's not quite on the same level as his Batman theme, but it's there. Horner just filled the background with music. His score here is completely forgettable.

I disagree 100%.

I agree with Chippy.

You are made to believe time has passed, which it has, and you can't deny young love/charm etc.

As someone brought up here, the time of damsel in distress should be over. If they can create a more independent powerful possibly un-comic like Gwen Stacy for the sequels that'd be phenomenal.

Elfman's score is pretty lame too.

hmmm

10 years ago we would have worshiped this film but after BB, IM1, TDK and TA we have seen the best of the best so the ASM does not compare to them...

Compared to the past Spider Man films its pretty good...
I think the scale is much smaller and the action (apart from the swinging around) was lacking.
The villian was okay and the story draged at times.

However I liked the new more confident cocky Spider Man over the Emo Spider Man..
Emma Stone was great and the film ended very strongly.

I would rate this above Spider Man 3 and Spider man 1 and around Spider Man 2.

B+.

Agreed, the only reason its ok is because it's elfman. His score is fine, but the theme is pretty terrible, even Darkman had a more recognizable theme. I can remember X-Men's theme more than Spiderman.

Ten years ago would the film have been as obviously stitched together at the last second?

Ten years ago, I don't think there two actors that could have done it as well. All I can think of the time period would be Freddie Prince and Sarah Michell Gellar, barf!

garfield doesnt deserve that much credit; emma stone is clearly one of those girls who can create chemistry with anyone she wants to

I felt uncle Ben's death rushed, actually it seemed nobody cared about him after he died