eh...the original is better

Rating: 7/10 (30 June 2004)

I'm sensing a new trend here. A few years ago, everybody agreed that sequels pretty much reek. But now, studios are "pumping up" their sequels with more money and more hype, and suddenly, it's cool to say that installment number two is better than its predecessor. Directors have jumped on the bandwagon - they'll happily admit that their earlier efforts pale in comparison to their latest blockbusters - and critics are following suit. "X2" was judged better than "X-Men," when it wasn't, and now "Spider-Man 2" is being universally hailed as better than its predecessor...which it isn't.
Trouble is, the only thing that's really better about this movie is - come on, you can guess it - the special effects. The CGI Spidey looks better. He moves well. The fights are beautifully choreographed. But you know what? He's still CGI. And a good special effect is still nothing more than a momentary diversion. It's the script that counts.
And this script is old news. At one point, it was rumored that the movie was to be subtitled "Spider-Man No More." They should've just called it "More of Spider-Man," because it's a rehash of the original. We get more of Spidey being a loser (a lot more...like an hour), more of Spidey mooning over Mary Jane, more heroism in a burning building, and more evil scientists with a serious case of hubris who decide to tamper with forces that are best left alone. It's a virtual remake, only without the cool origin story and the iconic scene on the bridge. Even Uncle Ben makes a return appearance, but in a form so cheesy and strange it must be seen to be disbelieved.
I must admit that Alfred Molina's Doc Ock makes a great villain; he's both a sympathetic character and a kickass opponent for Spidey. The scene when he awakens after his "accident" is truly horrifying, effective stuff. But I couldn't understand his plan, or care a whit about his giant gizmo. So many important plot points are glossed over, particularly the exact nature of his tentacles (What do they actually want? To steal an exasperated actor's catchphrase, what's their motivation?)
Many of the things that happen to Spider-Man are inexplicable, too. He's supposed to be making some big life choices in this movie, but his decisions seem to be dictated more by unexplained physical changes that he's experiencing, and not his own judgment. One thing that the script does make clear, however, is the moral of the story, which is pounded into Spidey's head every time he asks for some gaseous advice from a friend or loved one.
Right, griping done. Certainly an entertaining movie, and the train segment is fabulous. But the first was better, make no mistake. Refined CGI is not the key to a superior film.