Film Review: SPIDER-MAN 2 (2004)

Spider-Man 2 is an explosive, frantic, roller-coaster ride of a movie. It’s the kind of movie that leaves you with a satiated feeling at the end, and yet you know that you really want just a little bit more. It is the quintessential summer blockbuster on many levels: the story is ripe with a nontrivial existential crisis which confounds our beloved superhero; the characters have matured and grown into their own since the original film, making for impressively natural performances from the likes of Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and James Franco; the action makes for an engaging thrill-ride without seeming officious or over-the-top; and of course, the moral of the story remains true to the spirit of Spider-Man, with its all-American emphasis on wholesome fun coupled with a real sense of responsibility. Director Sam Raimi turns in a beautiful motion picture that is perhaps most impressive for its unlikely feat of trumping the brilliant original. A