A good movie, but I was expecting more

Rating: 8/10 (4 July 2004)

I really can't tell that I didn't like this movie, but I also can't say that I like it a lot, I have mixed feelings about it.
The effects of the film are better than the first one, although they still have some problems.
The acting its pretty much the same as the first one, Tobey Maguire is ok, I've seen Kirsten Dunst acting better than this, James Franco is somewhat annoying this time, Alfred Molina is very good at the beginning but gets somewhat underused after that, Rosemary Harris is once again one of the best aspects of the film and J.K. Simmons is very funny in this one.
The script is very aimed to kids and teenagers, is full of unbelievable dialogue (similar to Smallville and Dawson's Creek lines), especially that 'Go get 'em, tiger' line, the movie lacks any menace from the villain and it doesn't take the characters to the next level, basically the first hour tells us how bad Peter's life is, that was set in the first one so I don't see the need of using one hour to tell us the same, again the villain is not very well set (like the Goblin), they're just there because it is needed to continue the story.
The directing was a little better, but very similar to the first one, I was hoping a little more action, menace, and suspense moments, but we don't get that.
I also have problems with the ending, which is somewhat overdone and unbelievable, very 'happy' ending to me.
At the end the movie is entertaining, and when the action comes is memorable, but I was expecting more, I still think the first one was a little better.
7/10