[Brett66]

As a long time fan of Marvel, I chafed at all of their previous laughable attempts at making a movie. Remember their attempts at Captain America or Fantastic Four? They were so bad they refused to release them at theatres. Captain America was eventually released on video, the Fantastic Four movie was never released anywhere it was so bad. Some copies of it would show up at comic conventions without Marvel's sanction. Marvel has turned the tables around on DC. Now they have all of the hot franchises and DC is afraid to release anything to do with Batman or Superman for the forseeable future. Being a Marvel fan, this is ok by me, I always found their heroes more believable. Spider-Man really shines in this aspect.

[be-baw]

According to my local newspaper, DC (read Warner Brothers) is very secretive in announcing future plans for movies. Nevertheless they said that in the works are Superman vs. Batman, Batman Year One, Wonder Woman (with Sandra Bullock (yuck) in the lead).

[who knows what evil?]

I'm one of those who owns a copy of the Corman "Fantastic Four" on video...easily the "Plan 9" of super hero movies. Nothing, but nothing, stinks as bad as the FF flick. With licensing agreements about to lapse, Roger Corman reported stated: "I don't want the movie good, I want it by next Tuesday." Trust me; he got his wish.

[steve-b]

Captain America was eventually released on video

It should have been released to Mystery Science Theater 3000.

[rightisright]

Being a Marvel fan, this is ok by me, I always found their heroes more believable. Spider-Man really shines in this aspect.

I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiment. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that Marvel set their superheroes in the 'real world'. Try and find Gotham City or Metropolis on the map, but you sure as heck knew where Forest Hills was (though for the life of me I never understood why there was a Midtown High in Forest Hills :-))

As also you mentioned, it was easy to relate to the problems faced by Peter Parker (got to pay the rent!)

As for the movie, excellent performance by the actor who played JJJ in a small role, and I was pleasently surprised with Tobey Maguire. Looks like they have an opportunity to create a heck of a franchise here, let's hope they don't blow it (Superman 3, Batman Forever)

[MarkWar]

>As a long time fan of Marvel, I chafed at all of their previous laughable attempts at making a movie.

I think you got this exactly right.

Comic adaptions are always absurdly dark, or absurdly stupid.

I'd totally given up on comic movies, but I gave it one last shot with Spider-Man because of Sam Raimi and I think HE got it EXACTLY right, too.

He really walked a fine line between keeping it fun and maintaining serious content and I think he did it about as perfectly as could be imagined.

A really good movie.

Mark W.