****½ out of *****
Spider-Man 2
by Scott Mantz
Okay, so everyone expected the first Spider-Man to be a big hit when it swung into theaters two summers ago, but nobody expected it to be that big! Not only did the big screen version of the beloved Marvel Comics character take in $115 million domestically in its first weekend alone, but it also took moviegoers on the ultimate spin when it grossed more than $820 million worldwide. Thats a lot of web-heads!
Yet for all its box office success, there was something a little
well, off about the actual movie. Sure, director Sam Raimi -- a longtime Spidey fan if there ever was one -- certainly captured the spirit of the characters comic book origins, and Tobey Maguire was practically born to play the wall-crawlers conflicted alter ego, Peter Parker. But the film felt rushed and contrived in an effort to fit two movies worth of material into one film, Willem Dafoe laid it on pretty thick as the villainous Green Goblin, and there were times when the special effects looked kind of phony.
Well, not only does the highly anticipated sequel fix those problems, but it also tops the original film in just about every other way. Thanks to a deeper story, loads of character development, better special effects and some downright exciting action scenes, Spider-Man 2 just might be one of the greatest comic book movies ever made.
Two years ago, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) learned the hard way that with great power comes great responsibility. These days, that power may be more trouble than its worth. Hes perpetually exhausted from balancing his dual life as the amazing Spider-Man, and hes still haunted by the guilt that caused him to become the crime-fighter in the first place. He still carries a torch for his true love, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), but shes already moved on with her thriving acting career and a new boyfriend. His relationship with his best friend, Harry Osborn (James Franco), has been strained ever since his fathers death, and a powerful new nemesis, Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) -- a.k.a. Doc Ock -- threatens to destroy half of New York City with his delusions of grandeur. So much for the theory that being a superhero would make life easier, but the real question is, how long will it take before Peter ditches the red-and-blue tights for good?
If director Raimi captured the spirit of the comics with the first film, then he flat-out nails it with the sequel. Now that all the set-up is out of the way, Raimi can focus on telling a deep, solid, emotionally resonant story that examines Peters inner conflict as he tries to balance his dual life. The comics have always been about Peters personal struggle, and by infusing several storylines (and images) from the classic 1960s comics, Raimi has effectively made a coming-of-age superhero movie thats more about Peter Parker than it is about Spider-Man.
Ironically, the screenplay -- written by Oscar-winner Alvin Sargent (Ordinary People) from a story co-written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) -- owes as much to another superhero sequel as it does to the original Spidey comics. Just as Clark Kent was content to turn his back on truth, justice and the American way to pursue his love for Lois Lane in 1981s Superman II, Peter Parker is ready to throw in the towel to tend to the more important matters in his life. What he doesnt realize is that Spider-Man is an important matter, and it isnt until he temporarily loses his powers that he finally starts to realize it.
Spider-Man 2 may not be as campy, zippy or action-packed as its predecessor, but thats what makes it so much better. The story is darker and digs deeper, theres a lot more build-up to the better-directed action sequences, and the visual effects are a tremendous improvement over the first movie. There are times when it may be too violent for younger kids, but some of the fight scenes between Spidey and Doc Ock -- particularly a shocking clash on a runaway Manhattan train -- are exciting nail-biters that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The prospect of starring in a special effects-laden superhero flick might seem like a thankless task, but thanks to a substantial amount of character development, the performances here are stronger than youd expect from the genre. The returning players are much more confident in their roles, and not only does Tobey Maguire continue to have excellent chemistry with Kirsten Dunst, but he demonstrates even more range and goes to the next level in his portrayal of Peter Parker.
But what would any superhero movie be without a deadly archenemy? Where Willem Dafoe went a little overboard as the Green Goblin in the first film, Alfred Molina is just right as Doc Ock. It helps that you can actually see Molinas face (whereas Dafoe was stuck wearing a mask as the Goblin), but he still conveys just the right amount of menace without crossing over into camp territory. Molina is more of a pawn to his menacing tentacles than the character was in the comics, but when he traverses the Manhattan skyline with either poor Aunt May or feisty Mary Jane in tow, it looks like a scene right out of King Kong.
As for the supporting players, J.K. Simmons continues to steal his scenes as the Daily Bugles intimidating editor J. Jonah Jameson, while Rosemary Harris is effective as Maguires still-grieving Aunt May. James Franco also returns as Harry Osborn, whose embittered vendetta against Spider-Man lays the groundwork for the already-in-the-works Spider-Man 3.
In the end, theres enough going on in Spider-Man 2 to please both die-hards and novices alike. There are plenty of in-jokes for the fans, but you certainly dont need to see the first film to appreciate the sequel. Besides, this isnt just another superhero movie. Sure, its a totally accessible, action-oriented summer flick, but its also a coming-of-age story about choices, love and identity for a true hero who finally realizes the extent of his great power and great responsibility.
