History Awesome / SpiderMan1

-->'''Peter:''' Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: "With great power {{comes great responsibility}}." [[CursedWithAwesome This is my gift]], [[BlessedWithSuck my curse]]. Who am I? [[BadassBoast I'm Spider-Man.]] ''[we cut to Spider-Man swinging past skyscrapers]''

* Somehow, Music/DannyElfman always manages to compose an ''awesome'' title theme for a comic book superhero film. Evidence: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qcJS_e2_hY this film's main theme,]] rescored for its two sequels.

* The climax of the first movie is simultaneously a Moment of Awesome ''and'' a SugarWiki/{{Heartwarming Moment|s}}. The Goblin had previously stated that the people of New York would turn on Spider-Man eventually, and by this point of the movie, it appears to be true. However, as Spider-Man is dangling in the air, desperately trying to keep a cable car full of children from falling to their deaths while the Goblin attacks him, who should come to his rescue, but the ordinary people of the city. Incidentally, this scene was added after 9/11 -- it shows. The fact alone that they are proving that RousseauWasRight and the Goblin was wrong makes it a Moment of Awesome, but what they shout at the Goblin as they pelt him with garbage and debris is what really sells it:

** Shoutout to the counselor on the cable car with his charges. He's visibly terrified because they're in danger, but what is he doing? Telling everyone to stay still, and holding as many kids as he can to shield them from the impact. It's amazing he has a clear head despite the circumstances.

* J. Jonah Jameson in the first movie lying to the Goblin to protect Parker. Just as Parker leaves Jameson's office after selling a batch of Spider-Man photos, the Goblin bursts through the wall and {{Neck Lift}}s Jameson with obviously superhuman strength, demanding to know where they came from. Jameson doesn't even ''hesitate'' before screaming, "I don't know who he is, his stuff comes in the mail!" The Goblin continues to strangle him and he yet AGAIN says "Honestly, I don't know who he is!" It's a definite PetTheDog / JerkWithAHeartOfGold moment for Jameson as well. On top of that, Peter is staring at the scene through the window in the office door, yet Jameson focuses entirely on the Goblin and consciously refuses to even ''hint'' that it's Peter. [[FridgeBrilliance Jameson is a journalist, and in journalism, you do]] ''[[FridgeBrilliance not]]'' [[FridgeBrilliance give up your sources]]. HiddenHeartOfGold indeed.
* The Goblin gets one during his first public appearance. After causing mayhem, Norman swoops down and lands his glider. Spider-Man swings in and swings at him... only for the Goblin to [[PunchCatch catch the punch]], nonchalantly remark that it was impressive, and kick Spidey across the square. Of all of Spider-Man's on-screen villains, this is the only one who matches his reflexes and acrobatics.
* She may be a DamselInDistress when the Goblin has her, but MJ [[DamselOutOfDistress puts up a good fight against her would-be rapists.]]

''[He thrusts the spike at Peter, who catches it mere centimeters from his face. To the [[OhCrap sheer horror and disbelief of Goblin]], Peter overpowers Osborn, and [[BlownAcrossTheRoom shoves him across the entire building.]] Peter proceeds to trip up Goblin with webs, and then uses more webs to bring a brick wall down on Goblin... and then [[ExtremeMeleeRevenge cue the REAL ass-kicking]]]''

** What makes it more impressive is that Simmons looks and sounds ''nothing'' like Jameson, being bald-headed and rather soft-spoken. It's amazing to see and hear him normally, and then see him in action as Jameson - it's as if he actually transformed into a different person altogether. It's one of the best examples of acting so good that the actor disappears into the role.
** His performance has been so universally revered that [[spoiler: he was brought ''back'' as JJJ in the [[Film/SpiderManFarFromHome MCU]].]]

-->'''Peter Parker:''' Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: "With great power {{comes great responsibility}}." [[CursedWithAwesome This is my gift,]] [[BlessedWithSuck my curse.]] Who am I? [[BadassBoast I'm Spider-Man.]] ''[we cut to Spider-Man swinging past skyscrapers]''

* The Marvel logo that debuted with this film deserves some praise. It’s a montage of rapidly flipping comic book pages of Marvel comics. It not only set the feel of a comic book film, but symbolized that a comic book was coming to the big screen.

--->'''Goblin:''' ''[stepping on Parker's wrist]'' You've spun your last web, Spider-Man. Had you not been so selfish, your little girlfriend's death would have been quick and painless. But now that you've really ''pissed me off...'' I'm gonna finish her... ''nice'' ''and'' '''''slow'''''... ''[we cut to Peter, who had previously been woozily getting up with a look of sheer defeat, now [[DeathGlare glaring at Goblin with teeth-clenched RAGE]]]''\\
'''Goblin:''' ''[activating a massive trident-spike to stab Peter with]'' MJ and I... we're gonna have a ''helluva time!'' ''[he thrusts the spike at Peter, who catches it mere centimeters from his face. To the [[OhCrap sheer horror and disbelief of Goblin,]] Peter overpowers Osborn, and [[BlownAcrossTheRoom shoves him across the entire building.]] Peter proceeds to trip up Goblin with webs, and then uses more webs to bring a brick wall down on Goblin... and then [[ExtremeMeleeRevenge cue the REAL asskicking]]]''

* The film's visual effects. They still look believable to this day and while not as heart-stopping as they might have been back in '02, they're still an exhilarating experience. After decades of failing to bring Spider-Man to the big screen, to make his first appearance with these type of dizzying effects was a ''Franchise/StarWars: Film/ANewHope'' type of experience.

** In fact the comic-book art concept has become influential enough to get copied by other comic/manga media. To list just a few:

--->'''Goblin:''' ''[stepping on Parker's wrist]'' You've spun your last web, Spider-Man. Had you not been so selfish, your little girlfriend's death would have been quick and painless. But now that you've really ''pissed me off...'' I'm gonna finish her...''nice'' ''and'' '''''slow...''''' ''[we cut to Peter, who had previously been woozily getting up with a look of sheer defeat, now [[DeathGlare glaring at Goblin with teeth-clenched RAGE]]]''
-->'''Goblin:''' ''[activating a massive trident-spike to stab Peter with]'' MJ and I... we're gonna have a ''helluva time!'' ''[he thrusts the spike at Peter, who catches it mere centimeters from his face. To the [[OhCrap sheer horror and disbelief of Goblin,]] Peter overpowers Osborn, and [[BlownAcrossTheRoom shoves him across the entire building.]] Peter proceeds to trip up Goblin with webs, and then uses more webs to bring a brick wall down on Goblin... and then [[ExtremeMeleeRevenge cue the REAL asskicking]]]''

[[caption-width-right:350:''"Wow...great reflexes!"'']]

-->''(Goblin proceeds to plow through the windows behind May as she screams)''
-->'''Aunt May:''' ''Deliver us...!''
-->'''Goblin:''' Finish it! '''''FINISH IT!'''''
-->'''Aunt May:''' ''...From EVIL!''
-->''(Goblin [[EvilLaugh laughs maniacally]])''

--> '''Goblin:''' (''stepping on Parker's wrist'') You've spun your last web, Spider-Man. Had you not been so selfish, your little girlfriend's death would have been quick and painless. But now that you've really ''pissed me off...'' I'm gonna finish her...''nice'' ''and'' '''''slow...'''''
--> ''(We cut to Peter, who had previously been woozily getting up with a look of sheer defeat, now [[DeathGlare glaring at Goblin with teeth-clenched RAGE]].)''
--> '''Goblin:''' (''activating a massive trident-spike to stab Peter with'') MJ and I... we're gonna have a ''helluva time!''
--> ''(He thrusts the spike at Peter, who catches it mere centimeters from his face. To the [[OhCrap sheer horror and disbelief of Goblin,]] Peter overpowers Osborn, and [[BlownAcrossTheRoom shoves him across the entire building.]] Peter proceeds to trip up Goblin with webs, and then uses more webs to bring a brick wall down on Goblin... and then [[ExtremeMeleeRevenge cue the REAL asskicking.]])''

* The teaser trailer that was pulled after [[TooSoon 9/11]] showed a bank robbery foiled by Spider-Man with a [[WhamShot giant spider web]] between the Twin Towers.

* J. Jonah Jameson in the first movie lying to the Goblin to protect Parker. Just as Parker leaves Jameson's office after selling a batch of Spider-Man photos, the Goblin bursts through the wall and {{Neck Lift}}s Jameson with obviously superhuman strength, demanding to know where they came from. Jameson doesn't even ''hesitate'' before screaming, "I don't know who he is, his stuff comes in the mail!" The Goblin continues to strangle him and he yet AGAIN says "Honestly, I don't know who he is!" It's a definite PetTheDog / JerkWithAHeartOfGold moment for Jameson as well. On top of that, Peter is staring at the scene through the window in the office door, yet Jameson focuses entirely on the Goblin and consciously refuses to even ''hint'' that it's Peter. [[FridgeBrilliance Jameson is a journalist, and in journalism, you do ''not'' give up your sources]]. HiddenHeartOfGold indeed.

* The scene where Peter catches Mary Jane's lunch is a Moment of Awesome...for Tobey Maguire. It may have needed a few retakes, but the scene was done without special effects or CGI; the only "doctoring" is that the lunch tray was attached to Tobey's hand, meaning that what we see are ''his'' reflexes and balance, not Spider-Man's.

* The Goblin gets one during his first public appearance. After causing mayhem, Norman swoops down and lands his glider. Spider-Man swings in and swings at him....only for the Goblin to [[PunchCatch catch the punch]], nonchalantly remark that it was impressive, and kick Spidey across the square. Of all of Spider-Man's on-screen villains this is the only one who matches his reflexes and acrobatics.

* The casting of Creator/JKSimmons as J Jonah Jameson is a Moment of Awesome for the casting department. No actor before, since, or at any point in the future, could be a more perfect interpretation of a comic book character brought to life. Creator/JKSimmons quite literally ''is'' Jameson.

* The film's visual effects. They still look believable to this day and while not as heart-stopping as they might have been back in '02, they're still an exhilarating experience. After decades of failing to bring Spider-Man to the big screen, to make his first appearance with these type of dizzying effects was a 'Star Wars: A New Hope,' type of experience.
* The Marvel logo that debuted with this film deserves some praise. It’s a montage of rapidly flipping comic book pages of Marvel comics. It not only set the feel of a comic-book film, but symbolized that a comic book was coming to the big screen.

*** DC Studios used comic pages in its logo for a time
*** the 2012 anime adaptation of [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure JoJo's Bizarre Adventure]] used pages of the Joestar family in its first title sequence
*** [[Franchise/DragonBall Dragon Ball]] briefly used a comic-book page title sequence in [[Anime/DragonBallZBattleOfGods Battle of Gods]] and in [[Anime/DragonBallSuper Dragon Ball Super.]]
* Williem Dafoe's prefamance should earn credit. Espically his split personality scenes.

* Williem Dafoe's prefamance should earn credit. Espoically his split personality scenes.

* Williem Dafoe's prefamance should earn credit. Espoically his split personality argue.

*** = the 2012 anime adaptation of [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure JoJo's Bizarre Adventure]] used pages of the Joestar family in its first title sequence

** In fact it’s been influential enough to get copied by other parties: DC studios used comic pages in its logo for a time, the 2012 anime adaptation of [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure JoJo's Bizarre Adventure]] used pages of the Joestar family in its first title sequence, and [[Franchise/DragonBall Dragon Ball]] briefly used a comic-book page title sequence in [[Anime/DragonBallZBattleOfGods Battle of Gods]] and in [[Anime/DragonBallSuper Dragon Ball Super.]]

** There's also the everyday heroism displayed by the men on the barge in this same scene: seeing that Spider-Man is between a rock and a hard place with many innocent lives on the line, they starts chugging over and announce on a bullhorn that they're coming to help so that Spidey can let the cable car go onto the barge and then deal with the Goblin. The kindness of strangers!

** Creator/JKSimmons' performance has been so universally revered that [[spoiler: he was brought ''back'' as JJJ in the [[Film/SpiderManFarFromHome MCU]].]]

--> ''(He thrusts the spike at Peter, who catches it mere centimeters from his face. To the [[OhCrap sheer horror and disbelief of Goblin,]] Peter overpowers Osborn, and [[BlownAcrossTheRoom shoves him across the entire building.]] Peter proceeds to trip up Goblin with webs, and then uses more webs to bring a brick wall down on Goblin... and then [[ExtremeMeleeRevenge cue the REAL asskicking.]])

--> '''Goblin:''' (''stepping on Parker's wrist'') You've spun your last web, Spider-Man. Had you not been so selfish, your little girlfriend's death would have been 'quick' and 'painless' but now that you've really ''pissed me off...'' I'm gonna finish her...''nice'' ''and'' '''''slow...'''''

--> '''Goblin:''' (''activating a massive trident-spike to stab Peter with'') MJ and I?...We're gonna have a ''helluva time!''
--> ''(He thrusts the spike at Peter, who catches it mere centimeters from his face. To the [[OhCrap sheer horror and disbelief of Goblin,]] Peter overpowers Osborn, and [[BlownAcrossTheRoom shoves him across the entire warehouse.]] Peter proceeds to trip up Goblin with webs, and then uses more webs to bring a brick wall down on Goblin...and then [[ExtremeMeleeRevenge cue the REAL asskicking.]])

* The ending, as Peter walks away from Mary Jane:

* J. Jonah Jameson in the first movie lying to the Goblin to protect Parker. Just as Parker leaves Jameson's office after selling a batch of Spider-Man photos, the Goblin bursts through the wall and {{Neck Lift}}s Jameson with obviously superhuman strength, demanding to know where they came from. Jameson doesn't even ''hesitate'' before screaming, "I don't know who he is, his stuff comes in the mail!" The Goblin continues to strangle him and he yet AGAIN says "Honestly, I don't know who he is!" It's a definite PetTheDog / JerkWithAHeartOfGold moment for Jameson as well. On top of that, Peter is staring at the scene through the window in the office door, yet Jameson focuses entirely on the Goblin and consciously refuses to even ''hint'' that it's Peter.[[FridgeBrilliance Jameson is a journalist, and in journalism, you do ''not'' give up your sources]]. HiddenHeartOfGold indeed.

* J. Jonah Jameson in the first movie lying to the Goblin to protect Parker. Just as Parker leaves Jameson's office after selling a batch of Spider-Man photos, the Goblin bursts through the wall and {{Neck Lift}}s Jameson with obviously superhuman strength, demanding to know where they came from. Jameson doesn't even ''hesitate'' before screaming, "I don't know who he is, his stuff comes in the mail!" The Goblin continues to strangle him and he yet AGAIN says "Honestly, I don't know who he is!" It's a definite PetTheDog / JerkWithAHeartOfGold moment for Jameson as well. On top of that, Peter is staring at the scene through the window in the office door, yet Jameson focuses entirely on the Goblin and consciously refuses to even ''hint'' that it's Peter. Jameson is a journalist, and in journalism, you do ''not'' give up your sources. HiddenHeartOfGold indeed.

--> ''(We cut to Peter, who had previously been woozily getting up with a look of sheer defeat, now [[DeathGlare glaring at Goblin with teeth-clenched RAGE]]).''

--> '''Goblin:''' (''stepping on Parker's wrist'') You've spun your last web, Spider-Man. Had you not been so selfish, the death of your little girlfriend would have been 'quick' and 'painless' but now that you've really ''pissed me off...'' I'm gonna finish her...''nice'' ''and'' '''''slow...'''''
--> ''(We cut to Peter, who had previously been woozily getting up with a look of sheer defeat, now glaring at [[DeathGlare Goblin with teeth-clenched RAGE]].''

* J. Jonah Jameson in the first movie lying to the Goblin to protect Parker. [[spoiler:Just as Parker leaves Jameson's office after selling a batch of Spider-Man photos, the Goblin bursts through the wall and {{Neck Lift}}s Jameson with obviously superhuman strength, demanding to know where they came from. Jameson doesn't even ''hesitate'' before screaming, "I don't know who he is, his stuff comes in the mail!" The Goblin continues to strangle him and he yet AGAIN says "Honestly, I don't know who he is!" It's a definite PetTheDog / JerkWithAHeartOfGold moment for Jameson as well. On top of that, Peter is staring at the scene through the window in the office door, yet Jameson focuses entirely on the Goblin and consciously refuses to even ''hint'' that it's Peter.]] Jameson is a journalist, and in journalism, you do ''not'' give up your sources. HiddenHeartOfGold indeed.

** In fact it’s been influential enough to get copied by other parties: DC studios used comic pages in its logo for a time, the 2012 Jojo anime used pages of the Joestar family in its first title sequence and Dragon Ball briefly used a comic-book page title sequence in Battle of Gods and in Dragon Ball Super.