“The power of the sun in the palm of my hand.” —Otto Octavius
Today’s quick review: Spider-Man 2. Afraid that his life as Spider-Man will hurt his loved ones, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) gives up his chance at a relationship with Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). Now in college and struggling to make rent, Peter contemplates throwing away his costume so he can lead a normal life. But fate conspires against him when Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) is driven mad in a lab accident, becoming Doctor Octopus.
Spider-Man 2 is a superhero action movie directed by Sam Raimi. Spider-Man 2 picks up two years after the events of the first film. Peter Parker’s life as Spider-Man has cost him dearly. Broke, failing his classes, and a constant disappointment to his friends, Peter faces a crisis of conscience, weighing the needs of the public against his own happiness. Polished action, a rich story, and a sympathetic villain make Spider-Man 2 a worthy sequel.
Much of Spider-Man 2’s strength comes from its story. The story builds organically on the conflicts of the first film, playing out the consequences of Peter’s decision to remain Spider-Man. His on-again, off-again romance with Mary Jane has a suitably frustrating quality to it, while Alfred Molina holds up his end of the film as Otto Octavius, a brilliant scientist who turns to petty crime when he is bonded to his mechanical arms.
Spider-Man 2’s action also hits a sweet spot. Visually, it resembles the first film, but with more polished choreography, a new villain to work with, and one or two new iconic moments. The breadth of action isn’t as wide as either the first or the third films in the trilogy, sticking mainly to Doctor Octopus fights with a couple of set pieces thrown in. But the fights themselves are a treat, clever duels that show the character at his finest.
Like its predecessor, Spider-Man 2 will not appeal to everyone. The tone can be goofy, Peter’s travails are almost cartoonish, and the story is not as flashy or ambitious as other superhero movies. But Spider-Man 2’s skillful execution and rich character development make it a satisfying watch and an enduring entry into the genre. Superhero fans will want to give it a shot.
For a Spider-Man sequel that goes in the opposite direction, with multiple villains and colorful visuals, try The Amazing Spider-Man 2. For a darker superhero movie driven by strong characters, try Batman Begins.
[7.3 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0316654/). I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for a well-crafted story and fulfilling action.