Roger Ebert gave the film two and a half stars, likening it to a Superman whose Clark Kent is more charismatic than the Man of Steel.
Asked whether the tepid review exposed weaknesses on rewatch, the reply is the opposite: the film is loved even more.

Kate Hudson as Mary Jane; Tig Notaro in the check-in role; Elizabeth Banks as Mary Jane; James Franco as Peter; Nicolas Cage as Norman Osborn

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 00:56:13Read transcript

Kate Hudson reportedly turned down Mary Jane to make The Four Feathers; Alicia Witt and other actresses were also considered.
Many young white actors, including Freddie Prinze Jr. and Leonardo DiCaprio, were reportedly considered for Peter.
Octavia Spencer's wrestling check-in role was reportedly offered to Tig Notaro, who was then asked to audition and lost it.
Elizabeth Banks reportedly sought Mary Jane, was called too old, and got the Betty Brant role instead; James Franco reportedly auditioned for Peter.
Nicolas Cage as Norman Osborn is raised as the biggest what-if and judged an awkward fit next to James Franco.

Cillian Murphy as Harry Osborn; Bryce Dallas Howard or Scarlett Johansson as Mary Jane; Samuel L. Jackson as Norman Osborn; Tyrese as Harry Osborn

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:06:47Read transcript

Cillian Murphy is proposed to recast Harry Osborne, since the character lands better in Spider-Man 3 when he turns evil.
Kirsten Dunst never quite worked as Mary Jane for one host; Bryce Dallas Howard or Scarlett Johansson is proposed, and a birth-year check settles that Johansson was old enough.
With Bill Nunn and Octavia Spencer as the only Black actors, the goal is to add Black actors to the film. — Van Lathan
Samuel L. Jackson as Norman and Tyrese as Harry would add a racial undertone to the Mary Jane triangle. — Van Lathan
A comic-accurate addition gives both Jackson and Tyrese waves in their hair.

Dafoe stunts; scrapped Wolverine cameo; stolen costumes; Franco-Maguire feud

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:10:42Read transcript

The Green Goblin actor reportedly did 90 percent of his own stunts.
Hugh Jackman reportedly flew to New York for a Wolverine cameo that was dropped because the Wolverine costume was unavailable.
Four costumes were stolen; Sony offered a $25,000 reward, and they were recovered after 18 months with a former studio security guard and an accomplice arrested.
James Franco reportedly joked about the lead's frog-like features, starting a lasting rivalry.

Unnoticed powers; slow Mary Jane recognition; outburst at Uncle Ben; Harry dating Mary Jane; Harry's spider flirting; gun in drawer

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:16:25Read transcript

After webbing the tray and flipping over Flash in front of the school, no one, including Mary Jane, figures out he is Spider-Man.
Mary Jane only connects the kisses at the cemetery, after more than a year of obvious clues.
Peter blows up at Uncle Ben for no reason when he is only being dropped at the library.
Harry dating Mary Jane without telling Peter is criticized; Craig is asked whether that is acceptable and the answer is obviously not.
Peter is called a nerd by Harry, who then uses his spider facts to flirt with Mary Jane.
Harry pulling a gun from a drawer in the Osborn mansion is questioned, countered by the argument that Norman sells weapons to the military.

James Cameron version; Peter as sociopath; best alternative director

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:19:05Read transcript

A James Cameron-directed version is judged likely better.
Lines from Cameron's scriptment are read describing Peter as an ostracized science kid and virgin.
Peter is judged a bit of a sociopath: he lies to Mary Jane about Spider-Man, lets the robber go, watches him die and lies to Aunt May.
Of the other directors considered, David Fincher could have beaten the chosen director; Ang Lee and Chris Columbus are dismissed.