Spider-Man 2 isn't just a great superhero movie; it is a great film in its own right.

Rating: 10/10 (12 September 2004)

Spider-Man 2, never in my years as a film-viewer have I seen such a great superhero movie. Spider-Man 2 isn't just a great superhero movie; it is a great film in its own right. The film is the definition of what can happen when you expand on a story correctly, not just the action and special effects.
In the year 2002 Spider-Man opened to high critical acclaim and an even higher gross profit. Nobody then would have even dreamt that Spider-Man 2 (or The Amazing Spider-Man which was its working title) was going to be better in many levels. First of all is the human story behind the superhero one; the story of Peter Parker, a down-on-his-luck photographer who works part time as a pizza delivery man (SPOILER-not for much longer however) and still have to study for his high-powered science course. But that's not it; he is also Spider-Man, a super-powered vigilante who listens for police sirens so he can take out bad guys and save the good people of New York City (with spectacular results). But the bigger problems lay on top of Peter Parker, the man behind the mask. He has an obsessive best friend, Harry Osborne, son of Norman Osborn, AKA The Green Goblin. Spider-Man killed Norman Osborne and Harry is after Spider-Man, so you could see the problems that face Peter. Not only that but Peter has a longing for Mary Jane Watson, the girl of his dreams, who decides that she could not wait any longer for Peter to show his love for her so she finds another man in her life, J. Jonah Jameson's son, John Jameson. So with his best friend after him and the girl he loves slipping away, not to mention his Aunts financial troubles, things get worst and worst for out hero in distress. His distress cause him to lose his power, I think he loses it because he has no motivation to become Spider-Man.
The newest and one of the most interesting inclusions of Spider-Man 2, is the villain Doctor Otto Octavius (or Dock Ock as The Daily Bugle calls him). Otto Octavius is a good-natured and good-humoured scientist with good intentions, but his obsession with his 'Life's work' push him to insanity after a horrible accident involving fusion destroy his lab and kill his wife, Rosalie. After his metal arms fused into his spine destroy a device disallowing him to be controlled by the 'Monstrous things', he is alas at their control, robbing banks, kidnapping aunt may. This leads Peter Parker to quit Spider-Man and say good-bye to his costume (which is shown fantastically by Sam Raimi who
The greatest thing about Dock Ock is the man who plays him (the great Alfred Molina). The character is played by such ease and OTT in a not-so-hammy sort of way. This brings me to the rest of the cast. Tobey Maguire is in great form to play Peter Parker, I said it before and I'll say it again, that guy is perfect for the role, every one of his expressions tells a different story. Mary Jane is played well by Kirsten Dunst, James Franco also giving a good performance as the nearly maniacal Harry Osborne. The comical relief is given (by great timing comical) from J.K. Simmons.
Peter Parkers hero-hiatus gives him a great opportunity to be a different person, girls are interested in him, and even Mary Jane sees the difference. He learns how to ignore police sirens and leaves it to the cops of New York to sort out the bad-guys. He is also doing better on his science course thanks to much free time. All this however changes when the menacing and deranged Dock Ock kidnaps MJ. This inspires Peter to don the costume and save the one he loves. Aided by his powers, which he regains thanks to some motivation. This leads to the greatest action scene ever to be filmed. The exciting train sequence. Every shot is a gem, as the movement between Spidey and Dock Ock get even more rampant. SPOILER- Watching Spider-Man catch innocent passenger with his web as they are hurled up into the air by Octavius gave me chills. I especially liked the part when Spider-Man is trying to stop a train from going through a dead-end and crushing those underneath. He webs up the buildings on the side to slow down the train, Peter Parkers face really made me believe that he had a hard time. SPOILER- after he saves the people from certain death, Spider-Man is held up by then because he is exhausted, this also gave me chills.
The train sequence leads to one of the greatest climaxes I have ever seen, 'sometimes, to do the right thing, you have to give up your own dreams', this showed how both Peter Parker and Spider-Man could work together.
All in all, Spider-Man 2 is an amazing movie that I would describe in one simple word: AMAZING. The work Sam Raimi on this film really goes without saying; it is also amazing how he came from directing the classic Evil Dead films to directing the best Superhero series ever. He really is a great man, but very underrated. I urge you to see this marvel of a movie; you will be missing a lot if you don't. 10/10
Halim Boudjeltia
Everyone's a Critic.