Product: Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Rating: 5.0
Best Picture of 2004!
Not often does a sequel surpass the original, but Spider-Man 2 does. Really, this is the best movie of 2004 and if the Academy had any sense, it would be a Best Picture nominee. Unfortunately, it is too popular a movie to win awards. However, the character development is the major piece of the plot and the action just enhances it.Peter Parker struggles with being a regular person and a superhero. His life is in shambles and his sometime employer, J. Jonah Jameson, continues to portray Spider-Man as evil. In order to make ends meet, Peter must help him do this despite the fact Peter is Spider-Man. His personal life is in the dumper too - MJ's marrying someone else, Aunt Mae is being foreclosed on, he can't pay the rent. However, the public loves and needs Spidey.Watching Peter struggle with all of this, lose his confidence, give up Spider-Man and try and be normal shows how great a performance Tobey Maguire puts on. Critics loved the movie, moviegoers thronged to it, now the Academy should give it and its actors the awards it deserves.The twists and turns of this movie lead to many surprises and revelations. Bring on Spider-Man 3!