Spiderman

Perhaps it’s just that I'm getting older, but it doesn't seem that long ago that Mech Warrior seemed the pinnacle of computer games and Terminator 2 was considered outstanding for its special effects. I remember watching "The Making of Return of the Jedi" and being amazed by the technical achievement - thinking it would be impossible to make significant future advances. Watching Spiderman last night, I must admit that those days are now long gone.

Some of the effects in the film are outstanding - no extraordinary. Doctor Octupus' robotic arms are so amazingly rendered and manipulated that - quite honestly - you'd expect to see someone smashing up the street with a similar affliction. There is no question that what helped to create this illusion were the expressions of the arms - the external evidence of the inner turmoil of Doc Oct was a fine detail.

The movie itself is good summer action fare. Your life won't be changed, but you will be entertained (allow it's hard to imagine watching the flick on the small screen). The acting is very solid, the plot well-paced and interesting, the action enthralling and the cinematography unfailing. Spiderman purists won't care for the plot direction, but it is a compelling storyline. (Male) Fans of the first pic will be treated to another totally unexpected scene with Kirsten Dunst that continues the "what the #*@% was that?" factor of the "caught in summer storm" sequence.

And guess what? They have already set up the sequel! I'm not complaining - this is a good standard for Hollywood action films.