Truthfully, this version of the character is perhaps the least like the original comic book character when it comes to his looks and super-heroics, since this more muscle-bound version feels like it’s honoring the superhero conventions of pre-established heroes like Superman than Spidey at times.
Maguire really helps to sell the sly earnestness of this version, letting us know that behind his red suit, there’s a gentle, loving, deeply caring boy who wants to do good.
Benefitted enormously by Sam Raimi’s fantastical direction, which really brings the pop and wonder to the early days of comic book adaptations, Tobey Maguire carries the “aw shucks” sensitive side of Peter Parker with the traditional macho heroics of this personification of the character.