A Sequel Done Right!

Rating: 9/10 (18 April 2014)

Spider-Man 2 (2004): A sequel done right, that's what this movie is. Without the lengthy origin, this film jumps right into the character's life. The film starts out with Peter as a Pizza delivery guy that's having issues getting his deliveries on time. He has 8 minutes to deliver a Pizza across a great number of blocks. Who better to help out, then his wise- cracking,Webslinging friend Spidey. Only spidey is having issues as well, his spidey life is getting in the way of his love life, his career, his education, and his social life. Long story short Pete is late, and it ends up costing him his job. He starts to write a paper on genius Otto Octavious (later to become the antagonist) I like that we get some time to get to know the character before he goes rogue. Otto invites a bunch of reporters and Others (I dunno maybe just discount "Important people") to a presentation of Tridium ( thought to be a self sustainable source of energy) He can't do this of course , without his four mechanical arms, and his sponsor Harry Osborn. Peter Parker ends up at the presentation, and of course the presentation goes wrong, the chip keeping the arms from his consiance gets fried, and Spidey shows up to save the day. Remember Harry has a grudge against Spidey, Spidey ends up saving Harry, and Otto Is sent to the hospital. The surgeons attempt to remove the arms from Otto, and the arms don't like that one bit. The arms kill the doctors one by one (or four by four?) I think this scene is fantastic, and directed excellently. All credit goes to Sam Raimi because of his experience with The Evil Dead Trilogy. My only gripe with this scene is it seems darker then the surrounding movie. After this we get a couple great fight scenes filled to the brim with beauiful color, and then Spidey starts to lose his powers. He see's a doctor very obviously which I found hilarious. He gives up the web slinging persona, and things start to go great for Pete. This is when the story really get's good, and you start to grow, and sympathize with Pete's character. You are happy when he is happy, and troubled whenever a cop car rolls by and tries to not notice. All credit goes to Tobey, and the writers, it wouldn't have been possible with out Tobey giving such a convincing performance. Later on Pete attends a dinner for Jamerson's astronaut son who just got back from the moon, Jamerson's son ends up taking Mary Jane to the dinner. He asks Mary Jane for her hand in marriage, and MJ says yes. Pete is barely upset about this. Later On Harry and Otto meet up. They make a deal, More Tridium for Spider-Man. Otto asks Harry how to find Spider-man and Harry says "His photographer Peter." Otto leaves but not before Harry shouts "Don't hurt Pete!" MJ and Pete go out for coffee , and MJ asks Pete "Do you love me?" and Pete says no. Otto throws a car through the window. WAIT, WAIT,WAIT! How did he know Peter would dodge that? If he was a normal guy (like otto thinks he is) he would have not have noticed and been killed. Anyway Otto takes MJ forcing Pete to become Spider-Man. Spidey get's into a fight with Otto on a train, which is one of the best fight scenes in the film. It's wonderfully choreographed and actually logical and realistic. The Subway goes out of control and barrels toward a dead end track. Pete stops the train and passes out. He wakes up on Harry Osborn's couch. Harry takes out a dagger, and rips off Spideys mask. The expression on Harry's face is deep and he stumbles back and drops the knife. Just another brilliant move in the Harry Story Arc. Spidey breaks free and goes to save MJ, and he does. MJ and Doc Ock both find out about his secret identity. Instead of trying to fight, Peter takes off his mask and talks Otto out of it. Otto drowns the tridium ball in the lake, as well as himself. Peter takes Mary Jane to a web and tells her why he can't be with Her. I think all of this gives Pete a great opportunity to grow as a character. Overall I really love this film. It's my favorite in the trilogy. It's well acted, and written. The action is fantastic,and logical. The film isn't afraid to give it's characters room to grow, and leads up to the most disappointing but still decent film in the trilogy. 9/10