With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story

2010

1 hr. 20 min.

Documentary

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Reviews

77%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

Sean Astin, Tobey Maguire, Roger Corman, Frank Miller and others discuss the life and extraordinary career of Marvel comics legend Stan Lee, co-creator of more than 500 characters, including Spider-Man, the Hulk and X-Men.

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While looking at earlier biographical works concerning this man makes knowledge of certain information feel redundant, With Great Power is otherwise a very compelling, briskly-paced documentary about a legendary comic book icon whose creations became pop culture phenomenons whilst also not being afraid to delve into some more tragic aspects of Stan Lee's life. It definitely felt great to see the other celebrities talking about him and the good experiences they had with him. Was a bit disappointed that some of the celebrities weren't much more than cameos (Samuel L. Jackson shows up in the opening and never again, for example). But overall, had a good time with this superhero-themed documentary.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

its a good movie still disliked some things but it's not bad

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

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Audience Member

Excelsior! A wonderful and fun look at Stan Lee's life and career.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story: 7 out of 10: A documentary, released in 2010, tells the story of Stan the Man basically in his own words. The Good: Very nice background on where Stan came from and how he got started with Timely Comics. It also contains generous and excellent behind the scene glimpses of his home life with his wife. Fans of Stan Lee certainly will know some the stories but I think there is enough new stuff that it may surprise even his fans. The Bad: I would like to pause this review for an open letter to those that immediately say "but Jack Kirby" when Stan Lee is mentioned. Guess what they are both dead and no one cares about it anymore. It isn't hipster to plead the Kirby when Stan is mentioned any more than to exclaim your fandom for Tesla against the big bad Edison. The documentary both provides insight and glosses over the feud between the two men. But Stan Lee goes out of his way in this documentary to make sure Jack Kirby gets his due. This is, however, an out an out hagiography. Stan has barely a bad word for anyone and no-one has a bad word for him. Needless to say, that can get one's Spidey senses tingling. That isn't all bad if you know that going in. There is one scene where Stan Lee's wife talks about the death of their infant child and subsequent attempts at adoption. These scenes are powerful and Stan's grief and anger are evident forty years later. It is an impressive look behind the curtain and it makes one realize that we could have used more of this kind of insight. The Ugly: First of all there is a reason most biographies are basically in chronological order. It both creates a narrative and prevents confusion when you jump back fifteen years to cover another facet that might be unfamiliar with the audience. With Great Power has a tendency to jump around like The Hulk. Do you Remember that trend when every documentary had an overabundance of giant colorful graphics with the camera "swooping" around them? You think a 2010 documentary about a super-hero writer avoided this now annoying cliche? Nuff Said. In Conclusion: A decent documentary with added value and poignancy after the passing of a great man. Excelsior!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Audience Member

http://cinephilecrocodile.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/with-greatpower-stan-lee-story-dir.html

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

Found out some stuff I never knew about the legend.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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James Plath

Family Home Theater

A great documentary for families!

Rated: A-

Jan 16, 2018

Full Review

Burl Burlingame

Honolulu Star-Advertiser

A hagiographic valentine constructed by overly excited fanboys. Lee's imprint on popular culture deserves better and deeper than this.

Rated: 2/4

Nov 25, 2011

Full Review

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Lee recognized that character was more interesting than any superpower - that Peter Parker was far more interesting than Superman.

Rated: 86/100

Nov 25, 2011

Full Review

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Synopsis

Sean Astin, Tobey Maguire, Roger Corman, Frank Miller and others discuss the life and extraordinary career of Marvel comics legend Stan Lee, co-creator of more than 500 characters, including Spider-Man, the Hulk and X-Men.

Director: Terry Dougas, Nikki Frakes, Will Hess
Screenwriter: Nikki Frakes, Will Hess
Production Co: 1821 Pictures
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 18, 2017

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