DVD review (region 1)
Starring the voices of Josh Keaton, Joshua LeBar, Lacey Chabert, Deborah Strang
Release date Out now

Spider-Man, in the early days of his superhero career, takes on three classic villains…

Ask a member of the general public for their most cherished memories of Spider-Man and it’s likely many would cite the 1960s cartoon version – even over the comic strip. Well, now there’s an all-new cartoon, but it seems unlikely that The Spectacular Spider-Man will inspire such fond memories.

This feature-length adventure (actually three episodes stuck together) features comic book villains the Lizard, the Vulture and Electro taking on our hero, and younger viewers will no doubt enjoy it. It’s fast paced and fun with a style of animation that is aimed squarely at them. Older viewers will find little to enjoy, however, with the pace of the three stories (that aren’t really connected in any way) far too frenetic to be involving.

The other problem is that this release feels like too much of a cash-in; Spider-Man completists are better off waiting for the entire season to be released on DVD. This isn’t much of a stop-gap.

A Spider-Man music video – destined to only be viewed by the morbidly curious - is included on the disc. Jonathan Wilkins

VERDICT: 4/10
Less than spectacular unless you’re under 10!