Lame doesn't even begin to describe it...

Rating: 3/10 (20 July 2004)

We've been to see two sequels this weekend, and were thoroughly disappointed with both. Besides Spiderman 2, we also saw Shrek 2 - I'll put my remarks about that in the appropriate place.
My major criticism of the film comes under the heading of "character development". Despite going to inordinate lengths to try and paint the main protagonists as real people with real concerns, this side of things fall flat. The characters remain one-dimensional, with Kirsten Dunst contributing mainly screams and a gratuitous wet-dress-no-bra moment.
Tobey Maguire also fails to deliver a convincing performance as Peter Parker, and seems to have been cast for his ability to get into comic book poses, rather than his ability to deliver lines in anything but the most whingeing tone. It's not surprising Spiderman has enemies - after just 2 hours in the cinema I was ready to slap him, too. And asfor Peter Parker being a genius? It'll take a better actor than Tobey Maguire before I believe that.
James Franco also makes a meal of things.
What this most reminded me of, to be honest, was an episode of Smallville. James Franco has taken all his cues from the young Lex Luthor, certainly. The difference is, I would have enjoyed watching back to back episodes of Smallville more - they actually have a plot, some character development, some acting ability, and actors who are capable of obtaining some empathy from their audience. Oh, and it's free to watch on the telly,too.
The continuity also sucks in this film - it's simply not credible for James Franco to find his father's bad guy kit in a secret room when it all got destroyed at the end of the first one, and his Dad had to break back into his laboratory to get the only prototype in the first place. Or did he, somewhere along the line, create a duplicate MacGyver style in case he trashed the first? Not credible.
As for the action? Snore. What happened to the random chasing of bad guys in between interludes with the villain, with a few good punch-ups and some wisecracks?
So - very simple to fix: recast the lot and get a decent writer on board.
One of my largest criticisms is that the entire film just seemed to be building things up for the next sequel, rather than trying to stand as a film in its own right. The result is the feeling that I have completely wasted my time. There are film trailers more interesting and exciting than Spiderman 2. Failing that, watch a few episodes of Smallville - you'll be a lot less disappointed.