Great responsibility is overrated. (But this movie isn't.)

Rating: 9/10 (4 June 2005)

*note: the spoilers below may likely apply to the original movie as well, FYI* I'm often skeptical when it comes to superhero movies, and there have been very few made that I've actually liked. (The first Burton "Batman" movie, the two "X-Men" movies, and the two "Spider-Man" movies are about it. Oh, and the first two "Superman" movies.) So I was glad to be able to enjoy Sam Raimi's take on the Spiderman saga thus far.
The first movie I thought was amazing, in both presentation and style. It quickly indoctrinated the uninitiated into the Spiderman storyline.
As for the second movie, it was able to crank up the angst a bit, which for me kept it from being a total 10 (which is what I gave the first one.) Yes, some may argue that part 2 is a better movie, but it felt more like a soap opera than an action hero flick to me, which is really what I wanted.
What saved it for me is the fact that the film didn't get totally bogged down in the love triangle (not to mention the hate-by-association of Harry Osborn for Peter Parker, which will obviously only intensify once he learns the truth about who killed Norman.) Doc Ock was another example of an increasingly disturbing (to me) trend of sympathetic villains. "It's not my fault, I swear! The evil genius robot arms made me do it!" I miss the days when one could root against a super-villain without having to identify with the plight that lead to their allegedly nefarious path.
But other than those minor quibbles, I loved the movie. I even liked that Aunt May became a stronger character overall. I hope that actress will be available when the expected sequels come out. (Available to act, that is. I'm not looking for a mature date or anything.) The ending's implications left me a little nervous, as I can't help but see Harry as being potentially a bit Anakin-like as a villain, but that's a spoiler for another movie...