Spider-Man 2 ---- *** (out of 5) (2004)
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Alfred Molina, James Franco, Rosemary Harris
Director(s): Sam Raimi
Screenwriter(s): Alvin Sargent
Released on: June 30, 2004
Reviewed on: July 29, 2004
Rated: PG-13 - for stylized action violence
A couple years have passed since the attack of the Green Goblin in the original SPIDER-MAN, and Peter Parker is trying to live a normal life even with his daunting alter-ego. It's taking an exhausting toll on him as a downside and ends up costing him his job. The love of his life, Mary-Jane Watson, is engaged to be married, and Peter worries that he's out of the picture. On the other hand, he frets that his best friend Harry Osbourne, who has promised to end Spider-Man's life for killing his father, will soon find out who is really behind the mask. For a science report, Harry sets up a date so Peter can meet highly acclaimed scientist, Dr. Otto Octavius. During an experimentation with nuclear fusion, Dr. Octavius attaches four mechanical arms to his body that he can control using his thoughts. But when the experiment goes horribly awry, Otto finds himself with the four arms permanently merged with his spine, and they begin feeding his mind devious thoughts and ideas. It's now up to Peter to patch his life back together and find time to defeat Dr. Octopus at the same time.
With the enormous, record-breaking box office debut of SPIDER-MAN 2 and the release date for SPIDER-MAN 3 set sometime in 2007, the talk and hype generated by our friendly neighborhood web-head is showing no signs of dying down. Of course, if you're someone who's sat through numerous sequels to films that were once fresh and innovative, you can't help but be worried about the plot in which the Spidey sequels will be directed. Films that have fallen victim to greed and dumbed down by Hollywood include JAWS, ROCKY, DIE HARD, and many other excellent movies that we've been forced to watch fall apart. This is almost entirely from directors that will settle for the $$$ and compromise their respect and credibility instead of standing by their work. SPIDER-MAN 2 is a thankfully decent exception as a sequel and gives us some plot to consider for the next film instead of churning out a mindless action affair with a highly predictable plot that rehashes the original.
The elements that made the first film a fantastic and well-rounded production are still in full swing and blend together beautifully. There are several titillating fight sequences and a few tense moments during the epic climax in which we know Spidey is going to pull through, but it keeps us riveted and jolted with suspense despite this knowledge. The acting has turned up a notch from the first film with especially memorable performances by Alfred Molina and James Franco. J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons) also takes what could be considered "talky scenes" and spruces them up with his biting dialogue and sharp wit. He was a true scene-stealer. I hope to see more of him in the sequels to come.
SPIDER-MAN 2 was an all-around success and awarded me with a highly anticipated sigh of relief. There are several shocks and revelations nearing the end point which serve as appetite-whetting teasers for the next Spidey flick. Amidst the action scenes, SPIDER-MAN 2 is peppered with plausible romance and fitting dialogue, making it a plentiful full course meal for the lovers of cinema.
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