Product: Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Rating: 5.0
I didn't give myself anywhere to go
I gave the first Spider-Man film five stars, but this one is even better. This time out, Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire) is up against Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), a tentacled maniac who is obsessed with completing an experiment that may destroy New York City. Since he depends on Harry Osborne's (James Franco) Oscorps for funding and vital materials, he is also drawn into that young man's obsession with wreaking vengeance on Spider-Man for the death of his father, the original Green Goblin.As spectacular as the action is, there is a human dimension to this film that adds so much depth to it. Peter Parker is torn between the demands of being Spider-Man and his desire for a normal life, so much so that it claims a toll on his powers. The Peter Parker-Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) romance ends up exactly where it should at the end of this film, showing that this series has much more respect for the intelligence of its characters than the Superman series ever did. This film has a lot of heart. After a spectacular battle atop a moving train, Spider-Man must bring the hurtling vehicle to a stop before it flies off the end of the track. The sequence is exciting, funny, and the way the passengers treat the exhausted Spider-Man after he has saved their lives is extremely touching. Great work from the cast, as well as director Sam Raimi and writers Alfred Sargent, Michael Gough, Miles Millar and Michael Chabon./