Although expectations were high for last weekend’s introduction of Spider-Man to the big screen, even the arachnid superhero surprised himself with $114 million in the box office over three days.

What brought about all this excitement over a man in a tight red suit? Perhaps it was just that Mr. Tobey Maguire created the same kind of excitement in his bodice-fitting costume as Michael Keaton did with Batman. More likely though, it was the screaming boys, young and old, who have followed the comic book character through all of his perilous web-weaving adventures.

Spider-Man includes all ages in its silver screen rendition, taking the traditional comic character and infusing him with youth – mainly Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. Although Dunst delivers her lines with a sexually-tinged innocence that eventually fall into failure, all hope is not lost: the end of the movie leaves room for at least two or three sequels, just like our winged friend in the black mask.

Maguire gives an excellent performance as the shy schoolboy who is too nervous to talk to the beloved girl next door, M.J. (Dunst). Yet once he is transformed into a muscular “spider man” who can jump from building to building and swing from a spider web, he magically gains the courage to speak to her. His quivering exterior is hidden from view, however, once he dons his red-and-black spider suit, then it’s, “no more Mr. Nice Guy” for Maguire (except to the lovely red-headed M.J., of course). But no matter how hard he tries to save the endangered community, the daily newspaper is determined to defame his good-natured character.

I would feel sorry for the guy, but I’m sure he is coming out smiling with the money he is making off of this and many other films to come–not to mention the girls who will be after the sexy Spider Man, who can deliver a tasty onscreen kiss upside-down.

Spider-Man is now playing in theaters everywhere. Check it out on the big screen at the UA Continental Theater.