A rare sequel that improves on its already very good predecessor in every respect

Rating: Null/10 (17 April 2016)

A rare sequel that improves on its already very good predecessor in every respect, this is an absolutely brilliant superhero film. The film has a first rate screenplay by Alvin Sargent based on the storyline by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Michael Chabon. In my review of the first film, I criticised it because I felt that some of the characterisation was lacking. On this occasion, however, the character work was placed to the forefront and it is never less than entirely convincing. It is not all character drama, however, as there are some very funny moments peppered throughout the film. Sam Raimi's direction is superb and the action scenes are far more exciting than those in the first film.
Tobey Maguire's performance as Peter Parker is excellent and I really felt for Peter as circumstances have placed him in more than one unenviable position. It has been almost two years since he became Spider-Man but he has yet to find a balance between his life as a crime fighter and his personal life. His lecturer Dr. Curt Connors laments that he is wasting his great scientific potential as his grades have been steadily declining and he seldom makes it to class on time. In a development clearly inspired by "Superman II", Peter temporarily loses his powers and abandons his superhero mantle in the hope of resuming a normal life and pursuing his long held dream of having a relationship with Mary Jane Watson. In contrast to the earlier film, the reason behind Peter losing his powers is never specifically stated but I think that it was psychosomatic. After he focuses his attention entirely on being plain, simple Peter Parker, he is probably the happiest that he has been since before Uncle Ben's murder but the crime rate in New York City increases by 75% in Spidey's absence. He is inspired by Aunt May to resume web-slinging after she tells him that Spider-Man is a hero and sometimes heroes have to sacrifice the things that they want, even their dreams. This is a very effective character arc as it illustrates that life as a superhero is not all saving pretty girls from falling to their deaths and beating bad guys with alliterative names. It is often incredibly unfair but it carries great responsibility.
Alfred Molina is wonderful as Dr. Otto Octavius, a leading nuclear physicist who is trying to create a viable means of fusion power in order to cure the world's ills. However, all does not go according to plan as the fusion reactor destabilises and Octavius' beloved wife Rosalie is killed in the resulting explosion. In the process, the four robotic arms that he had been using become bonded to his body and the inhibitor chip that he had designed to protect his higher brain functions are destroyed. As such, the arms' artificial intelligence begin to exert its influence on him and he becomes the supervillain Doctor Octopus. Octavius is a very tragic figure, considerably more so than Norman Osborn. He is a very nice man who takes a liking to Peter and would have perhaps become a mentor and close friend to him if things had turned out differently. Although Rosalie only appears in two scenes, the first of these is so well written that there is a clear sense of warmth, love and affection between her and her husband.
Kirsten Dunst is very good as Mary Jane, benefiting from the stronger material that she has to work with this time around. She is enjoying great success in an Off-Broadway production of The Importance of Being Earnest and Peter promises to be there on time to finally see her critically acclaimed performance as Cecily. However, his extracurricular activities mean that he arrives late and is consequently refused admission. This causes Mary Jane to lose faith in him. In a lovely little scene, Peter "confesses" his identity to her over the phone after the call has already ended. When he abandons his superhero lifestyle, he attempts to finally start a relationship with Mary Jane but she rebuffs on the basis that she is engaged to J. Jonah Jameson's son John. She later realises that she loves him but her timing is a little off as Peter had recently decided to resume his crime fighting. In order to protect her from his enemies, he lies to her and tells her that he does not love her.
James Franco is very strong as Harry Osborn, who harbours a deep resentment towards Spider-Man as he believes that he murdered his father. His once very close friendship with Peter is suffering as he thinks that Peter is hiding the superhero's identity from him. Harry has become so obsessed with vengeance that he thinks of little else. Rosemary Harris likewise receives more interesting material in this film. One of the best moments involves Peter confessing to Aunt May that he could have stopped the carjacker who killed Uncle Ben. She is understandably shocked and upset by this but her initial reaction is to remain silent and retreat upstairs. Aunt May eventually forgives Peter as she loves him like a son and even commends him on being brave enough to finally her the truth. Cliff Robertson returns in a great cameo as Uncle Ben, who represents the better angels of Peter's nature and attempts to persuade him to do the right thing. In a scene inspired by "Hamlet", Willem Dafoe returns as Norman Osborn, who represents the darkest part of Harry and urges his son to avenge his death. J.K. Simmons is once again brilliant as Jameson and gets the lion's share of the funniest lines. It also features nice appearances from Donna Murphy, Elya Baskin, Elizabeth Banks, Ted Raimi, Dylan Baker, Aasif Mandvi, Bruce Campbell and the one and only Stan Lee.
Overall, this is everything that I ever wanted from a Spider-Man film and more.