The Hero in Us All...

Rating: 10/10 (3 August 2004)

At one point in Director Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man 2", Peter Parker's Aunt May (wonderfully played by Rosemary Harris) says of heroes:
"...I believe there's a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams."
This nature or distinction of hero is what really resonates and distinguishes "Spider-Man 2". A hero resonates across cultures. He or she is distinguished by courage, selflessness, nobility, honor, and most of all-- heart. Whether or not the hero in this case wears a red and blue spider suit to save others, what matters is the inherent greatness of the individual in action. Hero is to the soul. Toby Maguire as Peter Parker/ Spider-Man embodies the possibility of the hero in all of us. Maguire has such a humanity about him, and is so commanding in his stillness and calm. His understated performance choices punctuates Peter Parker's courage and compassion. Along with Sam Raimi's masterful direction, and Alvin Sargent's character and plot driven screenplay, "Spider-Man 2" is compelling work. I think that it is better than "Spider-Man', and one of the best movies of the year. "Spider-Man 2" also has a more evolved love story between Peter (Maguire) and Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) which really works. And of course the CGI effects are phenomenal.
This time around the storytelling is not so linear. Peter (Maguire) is burning out as Spider-Man. He has forsaken his love for MJ (Dunst), aware that if he revealed his love for her, her life would be endangered by his enemies. Consequently, Peter is suffering. The new enemy is Doc Ock (a compelling Alfred Molina), who because of a tragic fusion experiment becomes fused to deadly mechanical tentacles. Though the villain, Doc Ock is not entirely evil. Originally Dr. Otto Octavius is a good man who falls victim in the pursuit of his dreams to transform the world. This is a wonderful touch. Molina is effective in retaining his character's vestige of idealism throughout. Also returning in 2, is a charismatic James Franco as Harry Osborn, who has sworn vengeance on his father's "murderer", Spider-Man. Along the way, Harry and Dr. Ock form an unholy alliance against... Spider-Man.
Sam Raimi is a master storyteller. His narrative style is powerful, compelling, and has a sense of humor. The action sequences and CGI effects are visually stunning. The scene in which Spider-Man attempts to save passengers on a runaway train is simply awesome. The romance between Peter and MJ is very touching. Raimi also provides some dramatic surprises. Toby Maguire's performance as Peter gives Spider-Man 2 its soul. As Peter, he is doing this best "to be steady", sacrificing what he wants most, and being true to the part of himself that is hero. A hero is one that inspires those around him or her to greatness. So a hero reminds us of the very best in ourselves-- the part that is compassionate, courageous, and noble. "Spider-Man 2", though just a movie reminds us all, of our own greatness.