Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) gives up his crime-fighting identity of Spider-Man in a desperate attempt to return to ordinary life and keep the love of Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst). But a ruthless, terrifying new villain, the multi-tentacled Doc Ock (Alfred Molina), forces Peter to swing back into action to save everything he holds dear.

CRITIQUE

I could be the only person who thought the first film was more enjoyable then the sequel.  The first one was brilliant in its own way.  Although there were quite a few comparisons to Superman: The Movie, there was enough to be original and just a cool film to experience.  The effects were really what made the film successful.

And not taking anything away from the sequel – it is a better story.  There were better effects to awe at.  And it was a better film overall.  But there were more flaws in the sequel.  Flaws it seems not to many people noticed.  But, sadly, I did.

For starters…this film had massive super-hero clichés and beyond.  The “destiny” angle has been done to death.  Batman Forever.  Superman II.  Even the very first (and hopefully LAST) Daredevil focused for a bit on the tragic flaws of a superhero, who must decide if they want to play superhero or human being.  And speaking of Superman II.  There’s a lot of debate on whether the film is nothing more than a knockoff to the Superman sequel.  I am one of those people that actually agree that there are some similarities.  In fact, just for kicks…I watched back to back…Superman 1 and 2, and then Spiderman 1 and 2.  In terms of the films itself – there are quite a few comparisons.  It’s easy to copy scenes.  I mean – the scene in the first film where Peter rips open his shirt to reveal his Spidey outfit is obvious.  But it’s difficult to copy similar themes, in which both films does well.  Situations and whatnot is different in the comparisons of Spiderman/Superman.  But similar characters, subplots, settings, themes, and even plot-devices are too great to just throw away.  Blinded Spiderman fans are easily fooled.  And even critics, who don’t put too much thought into it, might miss it.  But I have viewed all four films and came to the conclusion that the Spiderman films are knock offs of the Superman films.

Another factor that just makes me cringe is the cheesy moments.  If you don’t know this by now – the majority of the comic book films has a lot of over-the-top stuff in it. Spiderman is no exception.  And in this sequel, there is A LOT.  I cringed on that high angle shot of J. Jonah Jameson yelling out “I WANT SPIDERMAN.”  I was confused out of my mind with the “girl next door” neighbor inviting Peter for cake and milk near the tail end of that film.  That sequence just drags the movie along.  And there was a cheesy scene with Peter in an elevator (I am not going to even explain it.)  I feel some of these scenes could’ve easily hit the cutting room floor.  They drag the movie.  They are beyond cheesy.  And they (at least to me) make me cringe each and every time I see the film.   And I’ve noticed there was a bit too much of screaming.  I didn’t notice too much screaming lungs in the first film but I guess, again, this is just me, but I got annoyed with the screaming lungs after a while.  It seemed there was at least three scenes back to back to back with screaming lungs. 

I also feel there wasn’t much development with Harry Osborn.  I guess this is a “Ocean’s 11” writing technique where audiences don’t get spoon feed information on every little detail and just go along with the story as if the characters within the story knows what is going on but the viewer doesn’t.  And since there was a “in-between-quel” TV series on MTV, I guess it’s reasonable enough.  But I still ponder on how Harry got a hold of his dad's company and how it survived.  I just feel Harry Osborn wasn’t developed very well.  But he does have a cool little scene at the tail end of the film. 

But I’m just being too critical.  There were some really cool moments in the film.  The effects are top notch.  And this film does what the first film didn’t do (and we all knew it would happen in the sequel), the love relationship with Peter and Mary Jane does blossom into a nice climax. 

And it doesn’t go without saying that this film ends on a ‘Empire Strikes Back”/’X2’ note.  There is a nice scene with Harry discovering a secret room of his dad, which could only mean…that would intersect with the third film.

THE VIDEO

Columbia Tri-Star presents Spiderman 2 in 2.40. I think it’s better then the 1:85 filming of the first film. Almost reminds me of the contrast of Terminator and Terminator 2. And the presentation is really good. No grain at all. Picture perfect in every sense of the word PERFECT!

THE AUDIO

Columbia Tri-Star presents Spiderman 2 English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround). The 5.1 track is the one to view the film with.  Sound is also perfect.  No complaints at all. Worthy for home theater stereo system viewings!

THE EXTRAS

Disc 1:

• Commentary by director Sam Raimi, actor Tobey Maguire, producer Avi Arad, and coproducer Grant Curtis

• Commentary by technical supervisors

• "Spidey Sense 2" pop-up trivia track

• Blooper reel

• Four Web-isodes: original online featurettes

• Train music video: "Ordinary"

Disc 2:

• "Making the Amazing": 12-part documentary

• "Hero in Crisis": a deeper look into Peter Parker and his personal battles

• "Ock-umentary: Eight Arms to Hold You"

• "Interwoven: The Women of Spider-Man"

• "Enter the Web": groundbreaking multi-angle look behind the scenes

• Art gallery

• Behind-the-scenes look at the Activision game

Much like the first film’s DVD…there are some pretty good goodies here.

FINAL THOUGHTS