Spidey Rules

Rating: Null/10 (26 October 2004)

In my opinion, this was the first summer 2004 blockbuster. I have seen Spiderman-2 (2004) in theaters 3 times. It is a rarity that I see a motion picture that many times in the theatre. In fact, I think the last instance I did such a thing was when I saw 1989's Back to the Future part 2.
This movie is excellent. It has all of the good things a movie is supposed to have.
As customary, I headed get hot wings and Rocky Mountain Oysters after seeing it the first time, so I could really digest the film. As the wing sauce covered my face and hands, burning my lips, the impact of the movie started to take affect. The 'burn the seams off of a baseball hot' hot wings coupled with my recollection of the film made me start to sweat. And sweat joy for Spidey 2 did I.
The movie had story. To avoid any spoilers, I will comment judiciously. While the film was chalked full of too many 'B-Movie' moments of camera staring, hands flailing terror screams, the mixture of comedy, action, drama and overall narrative is what makes this picture great.
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) wrestles with himself in this movie. He grapples with the fact that he is Spiderman, his super powers have been acting up, he loves Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) and doesn't want her to get hurt, he's behind on his college school work, his aunt is going through financial woes while he himself is penniless living in a dump owned by a rodent-eyed Russian immigrant with a cake-baking, Peter Parker liking and obscenely thin daughter. Maguire had a tall order to fill with this role. Peter Parker gets pooped on multiple ways. Nothing seems to go right with his life.
Along with the great story are some spectacular actions sequences of Spidey web slinging through New York and a train sequence fight that is downright breathtaking.
Alfred Molina as Otto 'Doc Ock' Octavious was the perfect villain with freakish mechanical arms grafted to his body. His character was human and at heart a good guy. James Franco as Parker's best irritating friend Harry Osborn reminded me of the whiny Hayden 'Anakin Skywalker' Christensen. I could do without Franco's character altogether. His very presence made me shudder with pain.
One highlight of the picture was the scene-stealing J.K. Simmons as Daily Bugle editor J. Jonah Jameson. Mr. Jameson invigorated the screen with witty dialogue and comic relief. It was a delight to see the charisma he exhibited on the screen. He is a classic editor in the film genre. Did you know that J.K. Simmons is the voice of the yellow M&M on the television commercials?
Bruce Campbell of Evil Dead and Bubba Ho-tep fame made a surprising cameo as the Snooty Usher. Campbell was also in the first Spiderman as the Wrestling Ring Announcer.
I loved Spiderman 2. It was hundreds of times better than the first movie. I saw it again. And again. If you like a combination of action, drama, comedy and slight horror, see it on the big screen today. And when they retool it for Imax, see it there as well.
Oh and Catwoman looks thoroughly stupid so if you see it I will never speak to you again.