Spider-Man 2
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Alfred Molina
Rated: PG-13 for stylized action violence.
Parental Notes: Although youngsters may find much of the film too intense, preteens and teens will doubtless have a good time if they’re Spider-Man fans.
Spider-Man is back, and in a sequel that’s at least as good as the original. Is it cheesy? Yes. Is it packed with impossible, physics-defying action sequences and ludicrous but really cool-looking science? Yes! Is it just what we wanted from a Spidey sequel? Yes, yes, yes!
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is having the same problems he had in the first film and then some. He’s miserably in love with Mary-Jane (Kirsten Dunst), but can’t tell her so because his activities as Spider-Man might put her in danger. He’s struggling in school because he spends so much time working and fighting crime. And, of course, the Daily Bugle’s editor, J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons), keeps vilifying him so that only the people he’s actually saved consider Spider-Man a good guy.
Things take a turn for the worse when he starts losing his powers, but then his idol, Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), suffers a terrible accident when his fusion experiment goes out of control. Octavius winds up with four artificially intelligent tentacles permanently affixed to his body. This pushes the good doctor over the edge and he becomes determined to try again, only bigger and better this time. Soon he’s robbing banks and generally terrorizing the city to get the parts for his new reactor. And, of course, the Daily Bugle gives him a snazzy villain name: Doctor Octopus, or Doc Ock for short.
Peter is sorely tempted to give up being Spider-Man, and in fact he does for a time — but he soon decides that he has a duty to stop Doc Ock, even if being a hero means giving up everything he cares about.
The action sequences, of course, are a joy to watch. Sure, the CGI is a little iffy at times or the choreography is physically impossible, but it’s made up for by how insanely cool everything looks. Both Spidey and Doc Ock can cling to the sides of buildings, so the fight sequences rage up and down skyscrapers and even, on one memorable occasion, onto the top of a speeding elevated train. Doc Ock may have been a mild-mannered scientist originally, but he sure can pack a punch.
Nearly all the special effects shots are glorious. Doc Ock’s tentacles are a combination of CGI and puppetry and are surprisingly effective. Spidey’s web slinging forays into downtown are CGI but for the most part look fantastic. As cheesy as most of the film is, the effects are almost invariably wonderful.
As a bonus, the actors handle their parts with aplomb. Sam Raimi is a top-notch director of pure entertainment, and he excels at bringing out the best in his actors. Maguire is suitably angst-ridden and witty as Spider-Man. Dunst brings a touch of depth to the frustrated Mary-Jane, giving the impression that she has a lot more to do in her life than deal with Peter Parker’s inability to commit. Molina is in fine form as Doc Ock, showing how easy it is for determination and nobility to slide into obsession and rage as the sensitive, gentle Octavius becomes the out-of-control Doctor Octopus.
The film’s flaws, such as they are, are hardly surprising. The dialog is often cheesy, the science is absurd, and most of Peter’s angst is self-inflicted. Women scream a little too much, Peter’s friend Harry is a bit too stupid, and Peter’s Aunt May is almost too sweet. However, when one considers that the film is set in a world where it’s possible to grow web-spinners overnight after being bitten by a genetically-engineered spider, it’s not too hard to get over it all. I mean, if we can overlook the ludicrous nature of the hero, surely we can overlook the ludicrous nature of the rest of the film.
“Spider-Man 2” is not a stirring, realistic drama. It’s a summer popcorn movie, and a darn good one. It’s easily as good as “Spider-Man” was, and the folks saying it’s even better may just be right. It’s definitely a rollicking good time — a thrill a minute, action-packed, and not too gory or stupid to be enjoyable. It’s silly at times, but still a ton of fun.