A Cinematic Triumph for Sam Raimi and Co.

Rating: Null/10 (4 July 2004)

Please take note that their are SPOILERS in this review, so beware before reading (that is, if you read this review, and you may not...)
Well, I was worried.
I had read some disturbing things about Spider-Man 2 in the months proceedings its 2 July 2004, then 30 June 2004, release. Tales of the title character (and one of my long-time comic book idols) unmasking in front of people, and other sundry scary scenarios had got me worried. Worrying about a movie, you ask. Well, I waited twenty-three years for a Spider-Man movie, and got a great one, so yeah, I was worried about the sequel!
Well, how wrong I was to worry.
Spider-Man 2 builds upon, expands upon, and almost eclipses its cinematic predecessor in so many ways, that I won't bore you with endless details. It was evident in the first film that director Sam Raimi admired Peter Parker and his crime-fighting alter ego, but with this film, we see that he truly loves and cherishes this character so much like the over forty million others throughout the world who have done the same for the last 42 years.
Spider-Man 2 continues the woeful tale of Peter Parker, a young man who, despite being superhumanly powerful, not only cannot catch a break, but is in danger of forgetting what a "break" is. Tobey Maguire returns (despite some off screen controversy) as Peter and his secret identity, and I must say that not since Christopher Reeve's Superman has an actor so fully brought to life a comic book hero on the silver screen. Maguire owns Peter and Spidey in an effortless, yet pitiful, way. You feel his pain, his torment, and you are overjoyed in his small victories and ultimate triumph.
Returning players Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, and Rosemary Harris give us once again Mary Jane Watson, Harry Osborn, and Peter's Aunt May in truly great performances. Dunst's look and attitude as MJ has improved dramatically and maturely. You finally see why Peter pines for her, besides her obvious physical attributes. Franco's fractured Harry Osborn, the embittered son of the first film's antagonist, the Green Goblin, strives to fill his father's shoes, all the while yearning for vengeance for the Spider-Man he believes murdered his father. Harris as Aunt May is a revelation. Her role is larger and more substantial, and we all come to the conclusion that May knows much more than she is saying, or in other words, that she is probably savvy to her beloved nephew's clandestine career as New York's unofficial protector.
Alfred Molina is Dr. Otto Octavius, a genuinely good man and a man of science, who loves his wife and wants to bring the world out of its fossil fuel dependence. You feel for Octavius, thanks to Molina's portrayal, but you see his myopic view when he is unwilling to correct what may be a fatal flaw in his experimental fusion generator because it was his life's work. This flaw is indeed fatal, causing the death of his beloved Rosie, and permanently bonding him to the scariest set of tentacles since 20,000 Leagues Beneath the Sea. Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin of the first film was over-the-top and a tad cartoonish, but Molina's tortured Dr. Octopus is frightening and sympathetic, and almost totally realistic (well, probably not the tentacles, but you get the idea).
The action sequences, as well as the special effects, have been improved upon, including Spidey's displays of his powers. We finally get to see just how strong he is (but if anyone's ever read the Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe already knows, right?). We also see that the choices that Peter's made in his life not only affect him outside of his costume, but within, as well.
One complaint you might hear about Spider-Man 2 is his frequent unmasking towards the climax of the film. No, it's not politically correct as far as the comic book goes, but it adds such dramatic depth to this film, that I was not only willing to forget it, but embrace it (and that is saying a lot for a comic book purist like me). Could the film have worked without the unmaskings? Absolutely. Would it have been as good? After much thought, I'd have to say no. If you don't like that, don't worry, you're not alone, and you, as film and/or comic book fans, have the right to that opinion, but don't let that ruin your enjoyment of this film. This is the sort of comic book-based film we've all been waiting for, and we've got enjoy it while it lasts.
I want to thank Mr. Raimi and Mr. Maguire, and everyone who worked so hard to give us Spider-Man 2. You gave us something more than a film featuring our favorite wall-crawler...you made us believe in him for the second time, and that's something I'll be grateful for for a very long time.
Needless to say, Spider-Man 2 is highly recommended!