Spider-Man 2: Way Better than the First!!!

I have planned to watch the second installment of Spider-Man on its first showing day; however, the long queue at the cinemas changed my mind. I am not a person of much patience so I decided to watch it when all people must have watched it already (that is 5 days after) I thought. Heh. No, the wait didn't cut the suspense for me. Actually, the wait made it more suspenseful.(wink)

Spider-Man 2 is the follow-up to the first movie shown last May 2002 starring Tobey Maguire as "Peter Parker, the nerd turned superhero Spider-Man", and Kirsten Dunst as "Mary Jane 'MJ' Watson, the hero's secret love of his life." Spider-Man 2 starts where it left off in the first installment. Now, Peter Parker is in college where in the first he graduated from high school juggling his many responsibilities - family, school, part-time job(s) and being Spider-Man. Of course, someone in his age will find it very difficult to cope, thus the movie centers on how Peter Parker is torn between wanting to be a normal college student ('normal' which he really is not), and wanting to continue being the superhero that he already is.

As usual, in every hero-movie there must be a villain and in Spider-Man 2 the villain is Alfred Molina's character "Doctor Octopus or Doc Ock for short." Doc Ock is the well-known scientist who was short circuited (in a way) by his own experiment during a presentation. Doc Ock is one character addition in Spider-Man 2. Additionally, Daniel Gillies makes his first appearance in the movie as "John Jameson, the astronaut son of Peter Parker's boss at The Bugle J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons), and MJ's fiance'." But not to be dismayed loyal fans because Rosemary Harris as "Aunt May Parker" and James Franco as "Harry Osborne, the revenge-indulged friend of Peter" are still in the movie and they still play major parts here.

Spider-Man 2 is way better than the first movie considering almost all actors in the first installment are back as well as the director Sam Raimi. I know, I know you're thinking why I think it's better, so let me enumerate some reasons why I find it better.

First of all, the movie had awesome special effects and action sequences. I, who know nothing about special effects, think its way better in this movie compared to its first installment. Although, a few out there might say Spider-Man is "over-portrayed" here because of the stunts he executes in this film but gee people an A-plus is very much well deserved. I especially liked the part where Doc Ock puts into motion the machine he rebuilt after his failed press presentation and Spider-Man trying to stop the machine from destroying the entire city. Other scenes which I think deserve special mention are the scenes where MJ and Peter met at a restaurant and Doc Ock suddenly attacks them and snatches MJ away; and the scene where Spider-Man fights Doc Ock at the same time trying to save Aunt May.

Secondly, the characters were played by just about right actors. I think getting as many actors in the first movie back for Spider-Man 2 was a bright idea since moviegoers already have this feeling of "connection" with them. And each did their job well. Tobey Maguire still exudes that needed boyish charm cum sort of innocence of Peter Parker as Spider-Man. Though for me he does lack some added height for Spider-Man's character. Oh well, one can't have everything right? As for Kirsten Dunst, she still is the epitome of a golden, All-American young woman. But I think she kind of was not giving her all in some parts of the movie especially in the scenes with Peter Parker. Still she is a good choice for MJ's character. Alfred Molina was a great choice for Doc Ock. He was able to deliver the character of the determined, often so-sure-of-oneself scientist and as Doc Ock - evil, selfish, destructive and revengeful.

Another actor that I always loved in Spider-Man is Rosemary Harris who played Aunt May. She has this ability to draw audiences with her positive disposition of every dilemma presented to her. I found her funny when she kicked the bank employee's leg instead of Peter's. James Franco as Harry Osborne is also well-casted. Though he needs to be more powerful in delivering his dialogues in the next installment of Spider-Man for him to be a very effective villain to his friend Peter's alter ego.

Third, I find the pacing and the script very good. The movie was not too slow as to drag the film and not too fast either as to leave the moviegoers thinking "what happened?". The script was well written. I appreciate the person who did the screenplay because the movie had some light, funny moments. Also, it was easy to follow considering it is a second installment. And the suspense - wow! - it was well placed in Spider-Man 2. While watching the movie, I felt myself not wanting to take my eyes off the screen even for just a moment. I know, it sounds like an over-statement but the movie truly is full of suspense and action.

And lastly, the direction was done superbly. Cheers to Sam Raimi for a job very well done. He had a very good eye on how to make Spider-Man 2 more entertaining, more suspenseful, more powerful. He was also very good in making the actors show the enthusiasm they have playing their respective characters considering they have done the movie before and they are doing it under the same characters.

To end my review, I would say that the benefits outweighs the costs in Spider-Man 2 thus, I highly recommend the movie to the whole family. It is worth watching folks!


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