Spider-Man 2
3/4
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons
Rated PG-13 for Stylized Action Violence
Because the first one was such a mega success, a sequel was inevitable. The whole crew is back; Maguire, Dunst, Franco, Harris, Raimi and producer Laura Ziskin. It's actually quite a bit better than the first one, too.
Peter Parker (Maguire) has settled into his job as Spider-Man. He is skilled at using his powers and wears his suit under his clothes just in case. But being a superhero is a full-time job, and because of the anonymity required, it doesn't pay for tuition or the rent. Trying to be a superhero and a normal person at the same time is taking its toll on Peter. Mary Jane (Dunst) is fed up with his bailing on her. Ditto for Harry (Franco), who still believes that Spider-Man killed his father. His grades are also suffering, as he is constantly told by his professor, Curt Connors (Dylan Baker). Peter is thinking of giving it all up until a new threat arises: scientist Dr. Otto Octavius, who, like in the last movie, is the victim of an experiment gone wrong and now has his mechanical arms welded onto his body.
In this sequel, greater attention is paid to Peter's struggle with his two identities. We've all been pulled in too many directions at the same time, and that's why it's easy to sympathize with him. Maguire makes Peter's struggles credible. Peter is not only pulled between his two identities, but he's also jealous of his alter-ego. Pete does all the work, but Spidey gets all the credit (or hate, depending on what headlines J. Jonah Jameson (Simmons) can spin).
The cast members slide easily back into their characters and do solid jobs. New to the cast is Alfred Molina, a character actor who got a big career boost from this role. Like Dafoe in the first film, Molina balances viciousness and sympathy. Molina is a good actor, and makes Doc Ock, as he is called a formidable foe for Peter. The flaw with him is that he is pretty similar to the Green Goblin in terms of motivation.
The special effects are considerable better in this film. Spidey moved too quick in the first film, as Roger Ebert pointed out. Here, he's been given more weight, and looks like a human being has done the stunts. It's much more believable and easier on the eyes.
Critics adored this movie (Ebert and a film critic at my local paper gave it a coveted four-star rating). I can't be that generous. The script lacks the depth necessary to elevate the rating very much, and in terms of emotionality it pales in comparison to Christopher Nolan's Batman movies. It is, however, much more positive.
On the whole, I enjoyed this movie as much as the first one. Probably a little more.
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons
Rated PG-13 for Stylized Action Violence
Because the first one was such a mega success, a sequel was inevitable. The whole crew is back; Maguire, Dunst, Franco, Harris, Raimi and producer Laura Ziskin. It's actually quite a bit better than the first one, too.
Peter Parker (Maguire) has settled into his job as Spider-Man. He is skilled at using his powers and wears his suit under his clothes just in case. But being a superhero is a full-time job, and because of the anonymity required, it doesn't pay for tuition or the rent. Trying to be a superhero and a normal person at the same time is taking its toll on Peter. Mary Jane (Dunst) is fed up with his bailing on her. Ditto for Harry (Franco), who still believes that Spider-Man killed his father. His grades are also suffering, as he is constantly told by his professor, Curt Connors (Dylan Baker). Peter is thinking of giving it all up until a new threat arises: scientist Dr. Otto Octavius, who, like in the last movie, is the victim of an experiment gone wrong and now has his mechanical arms welded onto his body.
In this sequel, greater attention is paid to Peter's struggle with his two identities. We've all been pulled in too many directions at the same time, and that's why it's easy to sympathize with him. Maguire makes Peter's struggles credible. Peter is not only pulled between his two identities, but he's also jealous of his alter-ego. Pete does all the work, but Spidey gets all the credit (or hate, depending on what headlines J. Jonah Jameson (Simmons) can spin).
The cast members slide easily back into their characters and do solid jobs. New to the cast is Alfred Molina, a character actor who got a big career boost from this role. Like Dafoe in the first film, Molina balances viciousness and sympathy. Molina is a good actor, and makes Doc Ock, as he is called a formidable foe for Peter. The flaw with him is that he is pretty similar to the Green Goblin in terms of motivation.
The special effects are considerable better in this film. Spidey moved too quick in the first film, as Roger Ebert pointed out. Here, he's been given more weight, and looks like a human being has done the stunts. It's much more believable and easier on the eyes.
Critics adored this movie (Ebert and a film critic at my local paper gave it a coveted four-star rating). I can't be that generous. The script lacks the depth necessary to elevate the rating very much, and in terms of emotionality it pales in comparison to Christopher Nolan's Batman movies. It is, however, much more positive.
On the whole, I enjoyed this movie as much as the first one. Probably a little more.
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