Superior sequel (spoilers)

Rating: Null/10 (18 July 2004)

The original film with the web-spinning superhero was a good effort, but far from perfect. It had certain weaknesses in performance and storyline. However, the characters and the essential humanity of Peter Parker/Spider Man were strong enough to maintain the film's momentum. The weaknesses have been overcome, and the dramatic power upped considerably, for "Spider-Man 2".
The story is now moved on two years, and Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is now balancing two jobs, his college studies and his duty as Spider-Man. Things are not going well: he loses his job as a pizza delivery boy, he is in danger of losing his one true love Mary-Jane (Kirsten Dunst) to a handsome astronaut, and as all this piles on top of him, he starts to lose his powers. This is not good, as New York is set to be menaced by another scientist gone mad, in the form of Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), whose attempts to manipulate cold fusion have left him with four tentacles, pinned to his back, that have taken over his mind...
Director Sam Raimi has wisely followed the sequel dictum that less is more. Throughout the opening forty minutes, we see less in the way of web-spun superheroics, and this considerably strengthens the story. It also continues the themes about morality, responsibility and power. Being a superhero in "Spider-Man" is not something to be envious of. It is a responsibility and heavy burden that interferes with your life, damages your relationships, and keeps you at a cold distant from those you're trying to protect. Tobey Maguire portrays this vulnerability with touching humour and pathos.
As well as the themes, the various story threads from the original movie have been picked up and explored further here. Parker's relationship with Mary-Jane Watson has come under strain since he shunned her affections to protect her from his identity, and the dilemma about whether Parker should accept the loss of his powers in order to settle down with her echoes "Superman II". Kirsten Dunst has limited screen time, but is still very good. James Franco is back as Harry Osborn, who has now taken over his late father's company, and becomes increasingly bitter and obsessed with Spider-Man. Spider-Man killed his father (The Green Goblin, played in a cameo by a returning Willem Dafoe), resulting in a last-minute twist that seals his fate forever. Franco is excellent in a much expanded role.
Even better is the chief villain of the piece, Otto Octavius, otherwise known as Doc Ock. It would have been better to let actor Alfred Molina use his natural English accent role for a more sinister effect, but otherwise his performance is spot-on. Early scenes emphasise Octavius's down-to-earth humanity, with a love of poetry and beautiful wife. He is not quite as frightening as the Green Goblin, but he is more well-rounded and more sympathetic. His is less a case of megalomania but more warped noble intentions. Unlike the Green Goblin, who remained a monster to the end, Octavius eventually regains his humanity, and his inevitable death scene is more satisfying as a result.
There is still room for humour and action amidst all the weighty seriousness. J.K Simmons is back as newspaper editor J.Jonah Jameson. He was disappointing in the first movie, but is far better here with more screen time and much better dialogue. When told his wife's lost his chequebook, he replies "Thanks for the good news!" Terrific action scenes included Octavius' transformation, the finale in a riverside warehouse, and an exciting sequence where Spider-Man rescues a runaway train.
There is plenty room for at least one more sequel, and a "Spider-Man" trilogy would be a fantastic way to round the films off. It would be a shame if this was turned into an ongoing franchise with endless sequels. Yet if further efforts are as good as this one, that might not be a bad thing.