This is a movie that embodies everything that is good about the superhero genre. With Tobey Maguire (of Pleasantville fame) playing the lead role, I was totally drawn into it from beginning to end. Far from being a brainless effects-for-the-sake-of-effects shoot'em'up, this is a superhero film that really cares about its characters. If you have even half a heart, you will too.

While the plot structure, summarized, could (in many ways) be described as formulaic and predictable, that fact becomes largely irrelevant while watching it. Each event, each development, and each action in the story make so much sense; everything furthers and enriches the modern day fairy tale (or not so fairy tale) experience.

Building upun the foundation of emotionally believable characters, the movie really brings back the sheer thrill of being like a kid watching cartoons again. Is it odd for an adult to get the urge to just shout, "Go, Spider-Man, Go!" in the middle of the climactic showdown against the arch villian?

To a very large degree, the movie is also a love story. Totally cool, in a heart-grabbing way. It made my eyes water.

My God, Kirsten Dunst has totally grown up since her days on Interview with the Vampire! She is totally stunning, in terms of both acting ability, and being fun to look at. No kiddin.

This being a Sam Raimi film, it absolutely had to have some insider cameos. Drizzt spotted Bruce Campbell before I recognized him, but I correctly identified Lucy Lawless in her one-line, "don't blink before she disappears" role. We both spotted Ted Raimi. He was easy. Fun little surprise nuggets added to an already awesome film.

This was a really fun, feel good movie. I'm tempted to give it 4 stars. Very tempted. But the silly little critic inside me keeps saying, "though it may make you feel good, you know you've seen this same essential story a billion times before, and this is just a repackaged (albeit a very well-repackaged) retelling of the same old narrative." Fine. 3.5 stars, not because there's any flaws in the movie itself, but because it doesn't quite reach the rung of, "Wow, it's totally groundbreaking like nothing I've ever seen!"

In a way though, even that could go to the movie's credit. It doesn't try to be anything it's not. The film keeps a straight face, unapologitic in its execution of the pure comic fantasy, while always keeping it on a very human basis. I like that. Bravo! Can't wait for the sequel.