Fun but flawed

Rating: 7/10 (13 January 2020)

While Spider-Man 2 excelled at action and humor, the soap-opera like drama with Peter and MJ is awful and creates a lack of charisma for Spider-Man. The character of Spider-Man suffers from lacking his signature charm. I don't just mean quips (couldn't care less about them). I mean more how he interacts with his nemesis, Doc Ock. It feels too safe.
I think Raimi misunderstands Peter Parker. Yes he's a science nerd. But he's not a loser. Comic Peter just struggles with bad luck and hard desicion making. Here, Peter feels legitimately like he can't prioritize Spidey business with important parts of life. He's distracted by MJ despite cutting himself off? Detracts from the first film's great ending. Comic Peter would know when to place real life first. Unfortunately it feels like movie Peter never quite learns it. The answer to his problem is just to stop a bad guy. Which is dissatisfying.
The main plot with the love sickness is stupid. Pales in comparison with the story it was adapting, which involved Spider-Man being overwhelmed and ill. Read Amazing Spider-Man #50 if you have not. It's good.
Alfred Molina's Doc Ock is well acted and fun. The issue is how the character is written: he had motive with the death of his wife but instead evil robo arms control him? Feels like a waste of a plotline. The SFX were cool for the arms though!
The movie is also saved by actors like Rosemary Harris and J.K. Simmons who give the charisma in the film that Maguire is missing. The humor is on point for Simmons especially.
The film exceeds in music and cinematography. Sam Raimi knows how to replicate comic panels in his shots. Watch the Train scene and get the sensation of speed and dread. It's brilliantly shot. And Elfman's music is heavenly.