Spider-Man at his Best

Rating: 10/10 (7 July 2017)

Why is Spider-Man such an enduring character? Part of this is the way that he connects with people- it has been noted that his costume covers every inch of his body, so you can't tell who's inside it. Because of this, it's easy for anyone, regardless of race or gender, to imagine themselves as Spider-Man. He is such a relatable character, because at his heart, Spider-Man is just an ordinary kid, with ordinary problems, who just happens to have superpowers. He is still vulnerable and has plenty of everyday problems in spite of, or even because of, his status as a superhero. This is what makes Spider-Man who he is, and why 2004's "Spider-Man 2" works so well.
"Spider-Man 2" is the definitive Spider-Man movie because of how well it nails this central aspect of the character. Throughout the picture, we see how Peter Parker's responsibilities as a superhero have negative effects on his personal life- he has trouble maintaining a job, difficulty paying rent, and he's unable to have proper relationships with those he cares about. We as an audience understand his hopes and dreams, and feel his frustrations when everything doesn't work out- we connect with him, and want to see him pull through. The movie works because it is, first and foremost, a character piece.
But that is not to say that "Spider-Man 2" is not a superhero movie- far from it. Although the movie is frequently a very compelling drama, it still has more than its fair share of exciting action scenes, in one of several areas improving on its 2002 predecessor. The movie's set- pieces are expertly crafted, filled with energy and excitement. In contrast to the cartoony physics of its predecessor, "Spider-Man 2" has more realism to it, grounded but still stylized enough to feel like a comic book movie. The many scenes of the titular character swinging through the city are breathtaking, and make the viewer feel as if they are Spider-Man. And the "train sequence" is not only the best action scene in a Spider-Man movie, but also one of the best action scenes in any superhero movie, period. This is one of the best superhero movies in terms of its structure, with equal doses of action and drama, neither one ever overpowering the other- it feels natural and organic.
This is also one of the best comic book movies in terms of its tone and style. The movie presents a perfect balance between realism and stylization that is perfectly fitting for its source material. The movie recognizes that in matching the relatability of its protagonist with its setting, the depicted New York City must feel grounded and realistic. But at the same time, it acknowledges that this is a comic book movie, and doesn't shy away from the silliness inherent to the genre- after all, this is a movie where the kid from "Pleasantville" jumps around in red and blue spandex and fights a guy called Dr. Octopus. Although there is plenty of drama and seriousness, the picture is also quite funny. (Ex: Pretty much any scene with J.K. Simmons) This is a movie that knows exactly what it is- nothing more, nothing less.
On top of that, the movie is rather impeccably cast. Tobey Maguire nails the boyish charm and relatability that is essential to Spider-Man, crafting a character that we root for throughout the entire movie. Although she didn't have as much to do in the first movie, Kirsten Dunst really grows into the character of Mary Jane in this one, becoming more of a deeply realized character. Alfred Molina turns Dr. Octopus, traditionally a rather one- dimensional, cackling supervillain, and transforms him into a deep and tragic figure, a good man with good intentions who goes down the wrong direction. And Rosemary Harris and J.K. Simmons are each so perfectly matched to their characters that they seem to leap off the pages of the comic- Simmons in particular captures the nature of J. Jonah Jameson so well that he stands among Christopher Reeve, Heath Ledger, and Robert Downey Jr. as one of the best castings in any superhero film.
"Spider-Man 2" is pretty much a perfect superhero movie. It nails every detail perfectly, making the correct balance between action and drama, between seriousness and fun. It is both exhilarating and thoughtful, and can be enjoyed even by those who aren't traditionally fans of the genre. "Spider-Man 2" is by far the best Spider-Man movie, and is right up there with the best superhero movies ever made.
10/10