Plot
Stan Lee's all-too-human superhero returns to the screen in this highly anticipated sequel to 2002's blockbuster hit Spider-Man. Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is attempting to juggle college classes and his job as a photographer with the Daily Bugle while maintaining his secret life as costumed crime-fighter Spider-Man. Parker is also struggling to hold on to his relationship with Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), who is beginning to enjoy success as a model and actress, and both Mary Jane and Peter have noticed he's beginning to buckle under the strain. Parker's friendship with Harry Osborn (James Franco) is also beginning to fray due to Peter's seeming alliance with Spider-Man, whom Harry blames for the death of his father, the nefarious Norman Osborn. As Parker weighs his responsibilities to himself and those around him against the obligations that come with his special powers, Spider-Man is faced with a new nemesis -- Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), a deranged scientist whose latest project has turned him into the near-invincible cyborg Doctor Octopus. Spider-Man 2 was directed by Sam Raimi, who helmed the first film, and much of the original cast has also reunited for this sequel, including Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, and Bruce Campbell. ~ Mark Deming, RoviReview
Sam Raimi raises the bar of excellence with Spider-Man 2, a highly evolved sequel that brims with superb comedy, heartfelt characters, and dazzling visuals that nail the wall-crawler's universe in a fully respectable and exciting way. With the luxury of having the origin story behind them, the filmmakers let loose with this one, all the while still staying true to the character-driven focus that made the first film so fresh and appealing. Tobey Maguire again holds the spotlight amazingly well, this time comically tortured by his director, who seems to finally be having fun with the franchise. Back is Raimi's energetic visual style, something that has been missing since his Darkman days and one thing that the original was sorely lacking. Of course, the hero always needs a villain, and this time it's Alfred Molina playing a Doc Oc that isn't over-the-top in the usual flamboyant way, but brimming with a conflicted sense of sadness mixed with maniacal purpose. His tentacles deserve credit as well, as they add little touches of flair even when they aren't throwing Spidey through walls or bashing up city streets. Kirsten Dunst delivers another charming performance, while James Franco takes the Harry Osbourne character through the next step in his tragic arc, pointing straight toward events in the third film. The real surprise is Rosemary Harris as a truly touching Aunt May, who ends up being the emotional backbone of the story. Her speeches to Peter are devastating and resonate throughout the film as the events are played out. Again, it's this kind of attention to character that really makes the series shine. While Spider-Man 2 is a visual feast brimming with action, it never plays dumb to its characters or the audience. Raimi and company have effectively expanded on the world they created, making every scene essential to what has happened before and a building block of what's to come. Eagle-eyed fans will appreciate the nods to various other characters in the universe, the most immediate being Dylan Baker as Dr. Curt Connors (who eventually becomes The Lizard in the comics), along with Daniel Gillies's John Jameson, whose character is a direct setup for canine villain Man-Wolf. However close to perfect the final film is, there are a few things that don't ring so true -- Harry Osbourne needs a little more sympathy instead of being angry from the get-go, while Peter's tall and skinny neighbor supplies a great laugh, but doesn't end up serving much of a purpose in the end. Still, those are nitpicks and very well might end up paying off by the time the third movie rolls around. With advanced effects, a much more satisfying Danny Elfman score, and a filmmaker at the top of his game leading the charge, Spider-Man 2 is a classic superhero movie that deserves the near-unanimous praise that it has garnered. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, RoviCast
- Tobey Maguire - Peter Parker/Spider-Man
- Kirsten Dunst - Mary Jane Watson
- James Franco - Harry Osborn
- Alfred Molina - Dr. Otto Octavius, AKA Doctor Octopus
- Rosemary Harris - Aunt May
- Donna Murphy - Rosalie Octavius
Credit
Steven A. Saklad - Art Director, Jeff Knipp - Art Director, Tom Valentine - Art Director, Thomas P. Wilkins - Art Director, Scott P. Murphy - Art Director, Dianne Crittenden - Casting, Grant Curtis - Co-producer, James Acheson - Costume Designer, Gary Jones - Costume Designer, Eric Heffron - First Assistant Director, Sam Raimi - Director, Dan Bradley - Second Unit Director, Jeffrey Lynch - Second Unit Director, Bob Murawski - Editor, Stan Lee - Executive Producer, Kevin Feige - Executive Producer, Joseph M. Carraciolo - Executive Producer, Dion Lam - Fights Choreographer, Danny Elfman - Composer (Music Score), Neil Spisak - Production Designer, Bill Pope - Cinematographer, Anette Haellmigk - Cinematographer, Laura Ziskin - Producer, Avi Arad - Producer, John Chichester - Set Designer, Daniel R. Jennings - Set Designer, Robert Woodruff - Set Designer, Mick Cukurs - Set Designer, C. Scott Baker - Set Designer, Patte Strong-Lord - Set Designer, Jeff Markwith - Set Designer, J. Andre Chaintrevil - Set Designer, John Frazier - Special Effects, Anthony LaMolinara - Special Effects, Joseph Geisinger - Sound/Sound Designer, Kevin O'Connell - Sound/Sound Designer, Greg P. Russell - Sound/Sound Designer, Jeffrey J. Haboush - Sound/Sound Designer, Paul N.J. Ottoson - Sound/Sound Designer, Dan Bradley - Stunts Coordinator, Scott Rogers - Stunts Coordinator, Alfred Gough - Screen Story, Miles Millar - Screen Story, Michael Chabon - Screen Story, Alvin Sargent - Screenwriter, Peter Menzies, Jr. - Second Unit Director Of Photography, Jonathan P.B. Taylor - Second Unit Director Of Photography, Scott Stokdyk - Visual Effects Supervisor, Paul N.J. Ottoson - Supervising Sound Editor, John Dykstra - Visual Effects, Radium - Visual Effects, Zoic Studios - Visual Effects, Barbed Wire FX - Visual Effects, Sande Scoredos - Visual Effects, Susan Bode-Tyson - Set Decorator, Jay R. Hart - Set Decorator, Steve Ditko - Book Author| Spider-Man (2002 Film), Spider's Web (2001 Film) | |
| Spider-Man 3 (2007 Film), Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends: Spidey Goes Hollywood (1983 Film) |
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