Spider-Man 2 Release Date: June 30, 2004 Studio: Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment Screenplay by: Alvin Sargent Directed by: Sam Raimi Music by: Danny Elfman Starring: Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Alfred Molina as Dr. Otto Octavius/Dr. Octopus,
Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, James Franco as Harry Osborn, J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson,
Rosemary Harris as Aunt May, Cliff Robertson as Robbie Robertson, Donna Murphy as Rose Octavius,
Bill Nunn as Robbie Robertson
Description: In Spider-Man 2, the latest installment in the blockbuster Spider-Man series, based on the classic Marvel Comics hero, Tobey Maguire returns as the mild-mannered Peter Parker, who is juggling the delicate balance of his dual life as college student and a superhuman crime fighter. Peter's life becomes even more complicated when he confronts a new nemesis, the brilliant Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) who has been reincarnated as the maniacal and multi-tentacled "Doc Ock." When Doc Ock kidnaps MJ (Kirsten Dunst), Spider-Man must swing back into action as the adventure reaches new heights of unprecedented excitement.
Spider-Man 2 Review and Media Stu and Jim Harvey
Before we look at Spider-Man 2, there's something that needs to quickly be addressed. Although the recent Spider-Man: The New Animated Series MTV cartoon is supposedly set between the first two films of the original Spider-Man movie series, it doesn't appear to be working out that way. The big issue is that Curt Conners is alive in Spider-Man 2, but the character died in the cartoon. There are a few small bits of continuity that works, such as Harry believing Spider-Man murdered his dad and the ongoing and Peter/Mary Jane/Spider-Man love triangle, but nothing else really seems to fit. It seems like Spider-Man: The New Animated Series is an alternate sequel to Spider-Man that follows its own path. So, for the fans who devour all Spidey content, keep that in mind when watching both of these properties. Now, to the movie itself...
Set two years after the original Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2 finds Peter Parker in troubling times. His grades are declining, his Aunt May is being forced out of her home, and he still can't balance his other life as Spider-Man. Feeling overwhelmed, and knowing that he's about to lose the love of his life because of his responsibilites, he decides he's had enough. He's Spider-Man ... no more. To bluntly sum up the film - it's quite easily one the greatest superhero film of all time. (2020 Editor's Note: it still remains one of the best!)
So why is it that this film is so much better than anything before it? Director Sam Raimi, who helmed the first movie took the time to develop the characters, and poured his heart into it. Instead of making a bigger, splashier sequel, Raimi wisely focused on substance and character. A logical choice, obviously, but one rarely taken in Hollywood, as seen by a string of mediocre pre-Christopher Nolan Batman sequels, which paraded out new villains, but always at the expense of the hero.
The original film was a fine tale, but the sequel tops it in every single way - delivering spectacular actions scenes,
and much-improved CGI, with a great story that builds on the original Spider-Man and moves everyone logically ahead. No one feels like they're trapped in one particular place, but are taking steps. This is paired with some incredible action beats, courtesy of the movie's main foe, Dr. Octopus! Alfred Molina, as the nefarious "Doc Ock," delivers a very restrained performance, though there is chaos brewing underneath due to an accident which fuses four metal arms to his body. It should also be told, this makes for some of the greatest heroic slugfests at the time. That train sequence? Wow. Considering a lot of the criticism the first film received was directed towards the light fight scenes, they really did silence them in this sequel.
There are complaints to be found from critics and fans, the primary one being that the film is a mere
rip of Superman II, which is nonsense. Had they actually done the slightest bit of research, they would know the whole
'giving up the costume' part was done a good 10 years before the original Superman movie was made, way back in
The Amazing Spider-Man #50, which is the infamous "Spider-Man No More!" issue. Another argument is that the film is a carbon copy of the original. While the sequel takes a lot of cues from the original, it's more about progression and seeing where these characters are now as opposed to then. Plus - it's Spider-Man! He fights bad guys, he has money problems, and he has serious
social and love life issues. That's something our favorite web-head is going to always be dealing with!
Overall, Spider-Man 2 truly deserves the praise it gets. Rather than making a summer popcorn flick, Raimi and his cast and crew made a highly enjoyable film that focuses on characters, but also doesn't skimp on the dramatic fight scenes, riveting cliffhangers and characters that keep us coming back time and time again.
Media:
Check out much more at The World's Finest.
Spider-Man, the Character: TM & copyright Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Contact us.
