Spiderman 2 Movie Review

I just watched Spiderman 2. Enjoyed it thoroughly. It is better than the original. The story has more depth. Lots of funny moments too. Expect high powered action with excellent special effects.

Frankly speaking, when I walked into the cinema, I thought we were going to watch Finding Nemo 2. The cinema was filled with kids. Not surprising though since the original Spiderman movie was a huge hit with the kids.

The story starts with Peter Parker, having a tough time with his dual life. 2 jobs by day, with high expectations in school to boot. Crime fighter by night. No time for his personal life or to follow his dreams. Always exhausted. Always late. He reminds me of Born Loser.

Peter faces problems which many of us do. Problems on the job. No money for the rent. The woman he loves is with someone else. Basically, anything that goes wrong, does. Even as Spiderman, things go wrong as his powers vanish.

Tobey Maguire excels as Peter. He draws you into the movie, into Peter's character. Kirsten Dunst was and still is the ideal Mary Jane. Kirsten and Tobey sizzle as lovers on screen.

Unrequited love. The longing glances exchanged. Some of these could have become uncomfortably mushy, but with Tobey's understated performance and the powerful on screen chemistry between him and Kirsten, these scenes turned out very well.

The villain, Doc Ock is a multi-dimensional persona. somewhat like Norman Osborne in the original Spiderman movie, in that he is torn between good and evil. Originally a good hearted scientist, the unfortunate accident allowed the artificial intelligence in his tentacles to take over. Turning him into a formidable villain. Alfred Molina is excellent as Doc Ock. Both as the good scientist, and as the villian whose mind was ruled by the tentacles.

As the story progresses. Peter finds himself. To delve deeper into the story would spoil it for those who have yet to see the movie. One thing's for sure. This movie is richer than the original.

Spiderman 2 reminds me somewhat of the TV series Smallville. Where a young Clark Kent struggles with his secret powers. Here, Spidey struggles with the responsibility his powers bring, and the life he really wants to lead. Spidey is a reluctant hero, who wants that normal life he once had.

Tobey Maguire, with his talent in drama, brings out this aspect of the movie beautifully. The process Peter has to go through as he struggles with what he really wants to do with his life.

Mary Jane, is Spidey's secret love, though there is a third party involved in this little romance. Again, Spidey has to save Mary Jane, who is a damsel in distress. Peter Parker and Mary Jane (includes spoilers for Spiderman2)

Rosemary Harris touches our hearts as Peter's Aunt May. She still misses Ben terribly. A brave old lady who faces life alone, with not enough money to pay the bills. Even then, she is spunky enough to whack Doc Ock. Incidentally, in the comic books, Aunt May almost married Doctor Otto Octavius.

Spiderman, with his mask on looks emotionless. Kind of boring. In a number of key moments of the movie, you see Spidey without his mask. The comic book Spidey would never take off his mask voluntarily, but in the movie, seeing the maskless Spidey's expressions has a greater impact. You'll see the actor's full performance when you see his facial expressions.

Overall, Spiderman 2 is an excellent movie. The plot is excellent. The characters are well developed. The humor is there. Lots of inside jokes. Loads of action too. Overall fun for the entire family. Unlike other special effects intensive movies, the people, the characters stand out in the movie, far more than the special effects. I intend to see this movie again.

Spiderman 2

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