Good action, but even better storytelling....

Rating: 9/10 (30 June 2004)

I very much liked this movie. I'd even go so far as to say I LOVED this movie. And I wasn't expecting much from it, but what I got was a whole helluva lot of quality. I liked the first enough, but this one (I hate to say it, but it's the best describer for it) truly captured my heart.
The storyline was good enough, but it's more the way they did it - I'm rarely sucked into the romantic plot of a story. Normally the romantic part of a movie plot is just kinda chucked in there to fill the quota for things needed in a Hollywood movie. But with this one, I actually cared for the characters, felt their pain, and the acting and dialogue made it believable.
Kirsten Dunst was particularly good, in my opinion. I'm not a huge fan of hers (never really paid much attention to her) but she portrayed MJ well.
I particularly liked how they portrayed the role of Spidey was effecting Peter's life. It just makes sense. Won't give away any more.
Now, after all the gooey mushy emotional crap is done, on to the biff:
Action: Good. All CG'd (except for some), but we've come to expect that these days. Lots of glass flying everywhere, lots of carnage, lots of stuff breaking, lots of fast action without changing cameras (which I far prefer to choppy camera-work, which ruins a fight or action sequence - case in point: Daredevil, but that movie had many issues). Not many explosions; but that's 'cause of the difference in villains and their different weapons. Which brings me to....
Villain: Oh hot damn. Doc Oc was incredibly cool. The way he moved, the way he looked (he was chubby, like a scientist WOULD be!) his personality, the way he fought - I loved it all. Better than the Green Goblin by far.
Fighting: mostly CG'd....actually, pretty much ALL CG'd, but it was done well. Not as much of it as #1, but what was there was solid and satisfied my bloodlust.
All in all, a very good film. I enjoyed how they continued the story of Parker/Spidey & Mary-Jane & that other guy & Aunt Mae & anyone else they wanted. Very enjoyable, and I'm probably gonna see it again and by the DVD when it comes out.
4/5