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With great power comes great responsibility
In 2002, one of the world's most popular comic book heroes made his
leap to the big screen. Released in conjunction with the 40th
anniversary of the web-slinger's first appearance in a comic book,
Spider-Man centers on an ordinary student named Peter Parker who,
after being bitten by a genetically-altered spider, gains superhuman
strength and the spider-like ability to cling to any surface. He vows
to use his abilities to fight crime.
Orphaned at an early age, Peter Parker lives in Queens, New York with
his beloved Aunt May and Uncle Ben. Peter leads the life of a normal
student, working as a photographer at the school paper, pining after
his beautiful next-door neighbor Mary Jane Watson and hanging out
with his buddy Harry Osborn.
On a school field trip where Peter and his classmates are given
a science demonstration on arachnids, Peter is bitten by a
genetically-altered spider. Soon after, he discovers that he has
gained unusual powers - the strength and agility of a spider along
with a keen, ESP-like "spider sense".
At first, Peter decides to use these powers to make money to impress
Mary Jane. He appears in a wrestling match and, armed with his new
spider strength, wins the match in record time. But the crooked
wrestling match promoter refuses to award Peter the prize money.
Moments later, the promoter is robbed and Peter has the opportunity
to catch the burglar fleeing from the promoter's office, but because
he wants revenge Peter refuses to stop him. Tragically, the burglar
kills Peter's Uncle Ben during a carjacking as he flees the scene of
the crime.
As Spider-Man, Peter apprehends the burglar but is plagued with guilt
for not being a hero sooner. During his time of turmoil, Peter
remembers something Uncle Ben once told him: "With great power,
comes great responsibility." Peter takes this to heart and
decides to use his extraordinary powers to fight crime and protect
the city as Spider-Man.
Meanwhile, megalomaniacal businessman Norman Osborn, Harry's father,
is undergoing some changes of his own. An experimental formula has
gone awry, increasing his intelligence and strength but also driving
him insane. He is now the Green Goblin, Spider-Man's arch-enemy, who
will put young Peter Parker's vow to fight crime and help innocent
people to the ultimate test.
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