as Amazing as Spider-Man can be

Rating: 9/10 (30 June 2004)

Wow ! What a thrill ride! Far superior to the original in all ways, effects, story, I can't recommend it more highly. Tobey Maguire inhabits Peter Parker more fully and we really feel what it costs him to be Spider-Man. Alfred Molina brings "DOC OCK" to life and then some. We need more of JJJ. All around an improvement on an already great movie series. And what a setup for the next movie, all in all a great night at the movies. Sam Raimi is absolute proof that what is needed to bring "comics" to life is a truly committed director that respects the material and doesn't camp it up. So many great characters from fiction have been ruined by directors that don't understand the material. Are you listening Hollywood? Stop trying to "Punch It Up" rather try reading the material to figure why it is popular in the first place. Then tell that story.