Spider-Man 2review by Russ Breimeier | posted 6/30/2004 12:00AM
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Spider-Man 2
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MPAA rating: PG-13
(stylized action violence)
Theater release:
June 30, 2004
by Columbia Pictures
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Runtime: 2 hours 7 minutes
Cast: Tobey Maguire (Spider-Man/Peter Parker), Kirsten Dunst (Mary Jane Watson), James Franco (Harry Osborn), Alfred Molina (Dr. Octopus/Dr. Otto Octavius), Rosemary Harris (May Parker), J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson), Dylan Baker (Dr. Curt Connors)
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As one who grew up reading comic books, I've watched the superheroes come to life on the big screen with great interest. Unfortunately, most of them haven't fared that well; many have tried but few have succeeded. The Superman films captured the spirit of the comics, but they've grown dated and silly over time. Tim Burton's Batman movies championed style over substance; the sequels by Joel Schumacher even more so, at the cost of plot coherency. It really wasn't until 2000's adaptation of the X-Men when filmmakers successfully balanced first-rate action with drama.
Tobey Maguire is Spider-man and Peter Parker
Then in 2002, one of the most popular superheroes of all time finally graced the silver screen. It took that long to secure film rights for Spider-Man with the cooperation of creator Stan Lee, as well as to believably re-create the stunts and acrobatics of the world's favorite webslinger through computer-generated special effects. It was worth the time and effort—Spider-Man ended up grossing $820 million worldwide and became the fifth highest grossing film in U.S. history.
Many would also say that it was the best comic-book adaptation ever, and if there were any doubts of that, Spider-Man 2 puts them to rest. The beauty of this film is that it is not simply a sequel, designed to upstage its predecessor with "bigger and better." True to its comic roots, it's a continuation of the Spider-Man saga, following up from where the first film's origin story left off. This is wonderfully captured in Spider-Man 2's opening credits, which uses graphic novel styled artwork to create a visual overture, jogging the viewer's memory of key events from the first film: mild-mannered student Peter Parker getting bitten by a radioactive spider, the death of his uncle, the famed upside-down smooch with girl-next-door Mary Jane Watson, Spider-Man's defeat of the Green Goblin, and more.
Spider-Man 2 begins two years later (natch), showing us what's become of the key characters in that time. Think it's easy being a superhero? Think again. Anonymous crime fighting doesn't pay the bills, and Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire of Seabiscuit) is struggling to make ends meet by working two part-time jobs. Besides working as a freelance photographer for the Daily Bugle, taking pictures of "that menace" Spider-Man, he's working another gig which I won't spoil for the viewer—suffice to say, it's one in which Spidey powers can come in handy. Parker's desperate for money because the bank is close to foreclosing on his dear Aunt May's house. Unfortunately, his grades at the local university are slipping, the second job doesn't work out, and Bugle editor J. Jonah Jameson isn't making life any easier.
Peter's still trying to figure out if he loves Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst)
On top of that, Parker's relationships are falling apart. His best friend Harry (James Franco of TV's "Freeks and Geeks") still blames Spider-Man for the death of his father, corporate scientist Norman Osborn (aka The Green Goblin). As stress builds for Harry in trying to run his father's company, he begins to increasingly blame Spider-Man for his troubles, never suspecting his true identity. Meanwhile, longtime crush Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst of Mona Lisa Smile) still has feelings for Parker, but he continues to push her away in order to protect her from his dangerous life. As Spider-Man, he believes he is unable to keep promises to her or guarantee her safety. Tired of waiting for him to express his feelings, she's seriously considering a relationship with Jameson's astronaut son.
This may read a bit like a Jane Austen novel or a modern soap opera, but the best comic books are in fact serials, placing real people and their human motivations in unreal circumstances. That's what makes this film such a refreshing summer blockbuster—it's primarily about the characters, not the special effects. Be prepared for long scenes of dialogue between Parker and those around him, as he considers to hang up his red and blue long-johns for good in order to enjoy a happy and normal life. He even gets love advice from Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina of Frida and Luther), a driven scientist financed by Osborn's Oscorp to create a perpetual energy source.
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