Review of Spider-Man 2 (2004) by Benjamin N — 10 Jul 2017

Similarly as dated as the first Spider-Man film is, Spider-Man 2 isn't the easiest re-watch. Raimi's direction is tight but it's also not as sharp as you may remember it. But this film stood for something more, which is quite often the fault of most MCU movies in this era. Thrilling, surprising, and poignant, Spider-Man 2 showed that you don't always have to play it safe with our favorite web-slinger, there's so much more underneath the skin to address.

What I really love about this film is how well it balances out screen time. We get introduced to a few new characters this time around, and of course none more prevalent than Doc Ock, played by Alfred Molina. Known now as one of the greatest superhero villains of all time, Molina stands out because of the way he's written as well as his charismatically tragic performance. It's really just your typical scientist gone mad idea, but juxtaposed with Peter's struggling personal life, it plays extremely well.

Which brings me to why this film and really Spider-Man in general have an impact on audiences so heavily, his problems. Spider-Man is no longer getting bullied in high school, but that didn't remiss him from dealing with deep personal problems as a growing man. As frustrating as it is to see him try and navigate Mary Jane's mind without telling her how he really feels, it's an issue that Peter has always had. The very idea of holding in your true feelings to "save the ones closest to you" feels like it comes straight out of decades of Spider-Man lore. Even if it feels sour in today's world, it surely wasn't back in 2004. Peter also has to come to terms with the guilt he still holds over his uncle's death, and that his best friend wants to kill him. All of that while trying to balance a real job with The Daily Bugle and his life as Spider-Man is a lot to keep up with.

It's those real-life problems and issues that will always be appealing to fans, and it's no different here. However, as I said, there are still a lot that's dated about this film that even the insanely good action can't overcome. I mentioned it in my review for the first film, but seeing every woman in the film either scream their head off for men throughout every action scene, or in complete awe of what a particular man can do in every action scene isn't as forgivable as you may think. Surely there's other things women can do right? It's also not the easiest to watch James Franco complain and whine about Spider-Man in just about every scene. Besides that, Spider-Man 2 is a brilliantly poignant superhero-action film. At the end of the day, there aren't too many superhero films that can say that.

+About something more.

+Balances everything well.

+Train sequence.

-Females written poorly.

-Harry Osborn.

8.2/10.