Doc Ock Rejuvenated in the Best Comics Adaptation EVER

Rating: 10/10 (30 June 2004)

While "Spider-Man" set records with its Platinum performance, "Spider-Man 2" will beat itself out and go diamond (I suppose that comes after platinum). There is one reason why this franchise has fared better than other comic-book movies: it stays true to the original. While the X-Men, Batman, and other comics may have struck silver or gold, none were as ever accurate as Spidey - and its numbers prove it.
Sure, Spider-Man being more well known than a lot of Marvel characters helps, but that's not an excuse when compared to the likes of Batman and Superman, who are both just as equally if not better known. Too many directors abuse poetic license, often totally warping a character, making a plot campy, and/or casting poorly. All deserve some sort of poetic justice for their poetic licensing, except for Sam Raimi, who if time permitted, should do all Marvel pix.
Most of all, though, the thread that really makes "S2" a great story is that Peter, as the protagonist, isn't the only one with an epiphany (a climactic self-realization often experienced by main characters). Every single character with more than a few seconds of screentime had his/her own epiphany as well. This harmony of characters is what defines the real world, for we all have our own epiphanies and that is what makes the world go round, regardless of how rusty it can seem.
Down to the nitty gritty
While some supporting cast found in the comics have been omitted, they have been done so with sound rationality. Gwen Stacy, as a prime example, would have overloaded unfamiliar viewers, so it is understandable that only Mary Jane was used. The best supporting character that WAS used, however, was J. Jonah Jameson, Editor-in-Chief of "The Daily Bugle." J.K. Simmons (of "Law & Order" fame) was a hilarious turn as the film's comic relief.
The movie begins with painted comic art behind the opening credits, briefly reiterating the gist of the first film, thus not wasting any actual film time reminiscing. Smart move, Raimi.
I won't say much of anything specific so as to not spoil the movie, but I would like to focus on two more items. First of all, the subject of my summary title - Doc Ock. While the Green Goblin was cool in the first, Doc Ock is a more relatable persona and more gripping (pun intended) character in interaction. I've always been a fan of second-tier villains like the Riddler (Batman), Pyro (X-Men), and of course, Doc Ock, so it is great that Raimi has reinvigorated the mad scientist.
My second item is the wide range of fanboy nods, things thrown into the movie that only comic aficionados would recognize. The first had many like the reference to "SHAZAM," but the second had more. Ranging from Dr. Strange to how old ladies treat comics, Spidey 2 has really outdone the nods in movies like "X-men" and "The Hulk."
My final note is this: GUYS, did you like the rainy alley scene in the first Spidey film? Well, we get another taste of MJ's revealing WET SHIRT in "2."