Spider-Man Trilogy [Blu-ray] [2007][Region Free]

Let’s deal with the films quickly. The first Spider-Man movie arrived after the webslinger had been stuck in Hollywood development hell for the best part of a decade at least. Introducing Tobey Maguire in the title role, it was a strong opener for the franchise, and laid the path towards the inevitable sequel. And what a sequel Spider-Man 2 was: genuinely expanding on the ground of the first film, and introducing the best villain of the series to date with Doctor Octopus, it remains a very high peak for the franchise. Film three? Not so good, with three villains fighting for attention space, and Spidey himself hardly at his best. It was still a decent film, just not up to the standards of those that preceded it.

Yet whichever your favourite of the Spider-Man films is, you’re still likely to be blown away by its Blu-ray transfer. Given that the movies are among the most expensive of the past decade to make, it’s unsurprising that they’re packed with details, and that they splatter the screen with colour, action and frenetic swinging through the city streets. The colour palette looks terrific in high definition, and the vibrancy of the soundstage too makes these potential reference discs.

You get a fair selection of extras across the three films too, and all this bodes well for the release of the fourth Spider-Man movie in 2011. Until then, this Blu-ray set is very much worthy of your time and financial investment. --Jon Foster