Very much alike the previous one

Rating: 6/10 (8 February 2005)

** Be warned, here be webs of spoilers **
Recap: Peter Parker (Maguire) is struggling to keep his life together. His responsibilities as Spider Man are taking a heavy toll on his life. He's unable to keep a much needed job as a pizza delivery guy, he's far behind in his studies and his relationship with Mary Jane Watson (Dunst) is deteriorating. He is unable to pay his rent and has difficulties with being in time. At the same time a fusion project goes awry, leaving the leading scientist Dr Octavius (Molina) a mix between a human and four mechanic limbs. The result, soon named Dr Octopus wreaks havoc in the city to be able to repeat and complete his dangerous experiment. Soon he and Spiderman become enemies. And Harry Osborn (Franco) is still out to avenge his father and kill Spiderman. All this pressure and strain tears inside Peter and gradually he loses his super-abilities. Finally he quits being Spiderman, trying to lead an ordinary life and trough that win Mary Jane's affection. But can he really leave the streets to thugs and thieves? And what if his friends and relatives are threatened?
Comments: Much money was spent on the digital effects, and that shows. They are beautiful and very striking. Other than that I wasn't impressed by much. Dunst and Molina was best in their roles otherwise it seemed to me just to be more of the same as the last movie. As Parker lost his abilities and had to rediscover them, it felt just the same as in the first movie where he had to discover them. His internal struggles with the relationship to MJ and to the city in general are just a continuation from the last one, and for a big part of this movie, no development. And then Mary Jane was abducted and needed rescuing, again, but not before he had to save some innocent bystanders in some sort of public transportation. Seem familiar? And then there are numerous visual references (read: repeat of scenes) to the first movie. So on numerous occasions I felt like I just watched the first movie all over again, with just another villain. In a sequel, you do have the advantage of not having to introduce the main characters (especially if you have a complete recap in the intro). This advantage was not used at all as the plot turned out to be. In one way Parker and Spiderman was re-introduced. And that is a little boring actually. However, as the previous movie was good, this means that this movie was also somewhat entertaining, but still a small disappointment. I expected much better.
6/10