Trailer:
“I want a life of my own. I’m Spider-Man no more.”
Away walked Spider-Man with it’s first big screen adaption and the proud mark of highest grossing superhero film of that time. With that much money there was absolutely no chance of there not being a sequel. The question became though, if the second film could top the original like X2 did or if it would end up like Superman 2 and Robocop 2, being only a lackluster, forgettable follow up to something good.
Raimi jumped back on to direct along with his main actors. At one point there was a question on if Toby McGuire would be returning to the roll and rumors were ablaze that he would be replaced by his look alike Jake Gyllenhaal. Unfortunately (at least for me) it wasn’t true and McGuire turned up to reprise the roll. Though I might not have originally been happy with that bit of news, it turned out that McGuire did a much better job in his second go around.
Unlike the first film where Peter Parker was played up as a goofy clown akin to Clark Kent, they pulled back a little bit and he felt more naturalistic and less absurd. I could actually sympathies with his character this time around and the script does a great job of painting an accurate picture of how much being a superhero would actually suck. A lot of the slapstick is reigned in but not gone entirely.
I accidentally made the mistake of watching the 2.1 version for this review rather than the theatrical one. If given the choice skip this extended special edition. Unlike Lord of the Rings that went back and reshot stuff to enhance the film(s), the 2.1 Spider-Man just uses all the inferior material left on the cutting room floor and in my opinion should have stayed there. With exception to some extended fight sequences, all the added scenes are awful, especially those between Mary Jane and her girlfriend buddy.
The film opens with Peter Parker having difficulty holding a job and struggling to keep his social life in order. It causes him to live in poverty and his family members and friends to start thinking that he is self absorbed and uncaring. When Peter learns that Mary Jane is going to marry another man he starts to lose his powers and hang up his blue and red tights for good. It’s similar to Superman 2 that his timing couldn’t be worse.
Right after giving up his alter ego, the villain Doctor Octopus shows his face and steals money to fund an experiment in fusion reaction, which is supposed to give mankind renewable energy for generations but will most likely just destroy half the city. What makes it all the more difficult is how Peter views Octavius as a mentor and roll model in a similar fashion to his relationship to Curt Conners in the comics.
The film draws a lot from the source material of the comics, in particular the fusion of the first Sinister Six storyline (where he loses his powers) and Spider-Man No More (where he gives up his identity due to his sh*tty life). This adds a lot to the story as he hasn’t really lost his powers, they’ve just gone into hibernation from a combination of pent up emotions. This is really where the film finds its heart and rhythm. My only problem with it is WHY exactly does he lose his power? Does he just lose it every time he gets sad? The film never really fully explains it and leaves the audience only with guesses in the end.
It also helps that this time around the stakes are a lot higher. Doc Ock is a fantastic villain because he not only has a personal connection to Peter but his mad scientist scheme will involve the possible destruction of the city. It is a lot more involving than just watching the Green Goblin chase Peter around in circles. Once again the climax has to involve Mary Jane being kidnapped but it’s forgiven this time around because of a giant ball of fire sucking up the city. Wish I could say the same thing about Spider-Man 3.
Alfred Molina does a great job as the lead villain and is pitch perfect pick for the roll. To top it off the fight scenes are very well done with top notch effects that (for the most part) still look great. The clocktower/trainfight near the middle might be one of the greatest superhero one on one battles of all time. When I think of how super powered beings should be locked in combat, that is it!
Speaking of the lead lady Mary Jane, Dunst doesn’t give any better performance than the first film. She is still kind of boring as a character but the circumstances around her are at least more interesting. She still only operates as an object of Peter’s effection and less as a likable or in depth person within the film.
James Franco also returns and has some great scenes with McGuire where he accuses him of hiding Spider-Man because he is “his bread and butter”. The tension between them is great made better in the scene where Harry finally confronts him about everything building up to that moment from the previous film. His hatred and hunt for Spider-Man are a great development that unlike some movies actually goes somewhere, ending in a fantastic cliff hanger.
Overall the supporting cast is just as great as in the original. Special props go to Rosemary Harris as this time around she has to play some more emotionally heavy scenes that are brilliantly done. She is still convincing in her role as older loving guardian and wise woman.
Spider-Man 2 is the prime example of a sequel done right. The scripting is top notch with a great balance of drama, comedy and action. The only complaints that I really can have are some unexplained details of how he lost his powers and the fact I’m still not fond of the actors playing Parker and Mary Jane, even though McGuire did a much, much better job here than in the first film. In the end Spider-Man 2 is a tightly knit plot and fun ride from start to finish.
FINAL RATING: 9/10- (90%)
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