Amazing

Rating: Null/10 (1 July 2004)

As in the `Harry Potter' and `X-Men' franchises, `Spider-Man 2' has an advantage over its predecessor in that the world of the film is now established. With the concept outlined and the major characters in play, the movie is free to take off from the word `go.' This does not mean, however, that the second `Spider-Man' skimps on development. Rather, director Sam Raimi understands that while action is entertaining in its own right, the best summer movies are the ones which let us see the characters' ultimate humanity. And `Spider-Man 2' is one of the best summer movies in recent history.
`With great power comes great responsibility,' intoned the ill-fated Ben Parker in the first film, but for his nephew Peter (Tobey Maguire), the responsibility of being Spider-Man comes with a lot of grief. His grades are failing, his friends doubt him, his employers find him unreliable and his Spidey costume runs in the wash. Finally, Peter's had about all he can take, and-much like Superman before him-he decides to abandon the superhero gig for a shot at a normal life. And like Superman, his timing couldn't be worse: New York is under siege by Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), or `Doc Ock' informally. Once gifted scientist Otto Octavius, an accident has left the not-so-good doctor with a set of four metal tentacles which move with creepy sentience, and a shortage of sanity. Octavius' experiments were funded by Harry Osborne (James Franco), who audiences will recall wants revenge on Spider-Man for his father's death. Osborne and Doc Ock form an unholy alliance, one which threatens Peter's attempts at an average life.
From the opening credits, which cleverly recap the first film in a series of graphic-novel style images, Raimi follows the comic-book sensibility of the previous movie. However, the effects this time around are more refined, bringing a greater sense of realism to the action sequences (the standout: a heart-stopping fight on a speeding el train). The thrill scenes are complimented by a good balance of drama and humor. In one of the films best moments, Spider-Man's wall-crawling abilities go on the fritz (the reason isn't fully explained, but we are led to believe it's psychological), and he's forced to share a hilariously uncomfortable elevator ride with a bemused businessman. Another time, Peter confesses the truth about Uncle Ben's death to his Aunt Mae, a scene which Maguire infuses with restrained yet heartbreaking agony. His performance here again is excellent, as are the rest of the returning cast (particularly Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane, Rosemarry Harris as Aunt Mae and JK Simmons as loudmouthed editor J. Jonah Jamison). Molina, like Willem Dafoe before him, makes for a compelling and three dimensional antagonist.
Near the end of the film, Raimi seems to beg the question: can Peter Parker have it all? The answer seems to be reserved for the next installment in the series. But one thing's for sure: `Spider-Man 2' can, and does.