Better Than the Original Box-Office Hit

Rating: 10/10 (13 July 2004)

I had high hopes going into this movie, and I'm pleased to say that my hopes were met and then some. The movie doesn't waste any time and easily recaptures the charm the first one provided. The interesting aspect of SM2 is that the characters are much more mature; Peter is living alone and is struggling to pay rent, MJ is an actress and Harry is now running Oscorp. In the first movie, the characters were still struggling to find themselves. Even Aunt May has changed since the first movie; she still cannot find peace in the passing of Uncle Ben and is also on the verge of losing her home and losing sight of who Peter is. So overall, the character's are much different this time around.
As you know, the bad guy this time around is Doc Ock, played by Alfred Molina. Molina played an excellent villain and what I think was the key success to him was his likable side. Before the horrible lab accident turns him into Ock, the audience is exposed to his nice side and you can see why Peter admired the man so much. While I liked the Green Goblin, the audience never really got to see the charming side of him and the movie portrayed him as nothing but an evil person. So again, by exposing Ock's good side, the struggle between good and evil has an added twist which really adds to the film and the climactic ending.
Overall, this movie was phenomenal. It exceeded any hopes I had, and this really is a sequel that goes beyond its predecessor. The acting is incredible. Tobey really shines through and proves why he is perfect for the role, especially during the train scene. And Kirsten does a great job as a believable MJ. This movie is well worth seeing if not once than twice and if not twice than a hundred times because it is everything you could want in a movie: great acting, great special effects, great storyline, great action and even great comedy (funnyman J.K. Simmons is HILARIOUS!). Anyways, yes, this movie is awesome, so go see
it. 10/10.