"Go get 'em tiger".

Rating: Null/10 (19 July 2004)

Doc Ock Lives! OK his character's motivation isn't the most convincing I've seen for a super-villain, but this is forgotten once you see him scaling the side of a building or dismantling a car for batting practice. Sequels are usually problematic, but I'd say this one at least equals the enjoyment of the first movie. The villain is more visually impressive and the character arcs progress realistically. Kirsten Dunst still isn't quite my idea of MJ, but that's just me being picky. She's a very talented actress. Tobey Maguire brings the right level of awkwardness to Peter Parker and J Jonah Jameson is rightfully given more scenes in which to expand as a character.
Fans of the comic book Spidey must surely enjoy the direction these films' story lines are taking, as they pretty much summarise the comic's story arc over the last twenty years. Even though this is the case, there was still enough to surprise me. Like Bryan Singer's "X-Men", potential future characters are introduced slyly and without fanfare, giving them time to breathe. The film doesn't make the mistake of the last two Batman movies, cluttering the screen with supervillain characters whom we barely get to understand before the film is done.
"Spider-man 2" (and it's still a shame that they gave the movie this unoriginal moniker - "The Amazing Spider-Man" would have been so much better) introduces three potential supervillain characters from the comics who may or may not darken Spidey's door in the near future. I can't wait to see whom Sam Raimi chooses to showcase next. Will it be the obvious or the least obvious? Or both? I think there is room now for two villains, even if one is just a cameo.
The only criticism I have of the film is that some of the plot is a little lazy - another burning building, another person hearing voices, and a big plot strand lifted from "Superman II"!
But the set pieces are outstanding. I felt a tear in my eye at the sheer exhilaration of watching Spidey swing through the Big Apple's skyscrapers. It took my breathe away.
Roll on the third movie. "Web of Spider-Man" anyone?