When I think of Spider-Man 2, it comes to mind to me as a highly overrated superhero movie. Also coming to mind is the 2008 the Dark Knight. When I compare the two movies, now in 2011, I notice that both received almost equal critical praise (the Dark Knight probably taking the edge). For me, neither are bad movies, but both are, well, highly overrated. By now, I've seen Spider-Man 2 from beginning to end about three times. Sometimes, I like to watch a movie a couple or a few times, to give my fairest judgement possible. I think I'm ready to give my fair judgment on Spider-Man 2.
The movie basically follows Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), still protecting New York City as Spider-Man. While dealing with a crazed Dr. Octopus (Alfred Molina), bent on harnessing the sun's solar power, he's also dealing with his inner troubles, which causes him to lose his powers (that part of the movie is never clearly explained), and trying to win his high school sweetheart, Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst), back over to him, while she's engaged.
Spider-Man 2 is easily a better film then the 2007 sequel, Spider-Man 3. However, it does not feel as fun as the first 2002 Spider-Man. That said, Spider-Man 2 suffers from being too drawn out in places, having a few disappointing action sequences, and from not gaining a whole lot of ground then from what was held at the beginning. All three of the films suffer from being rather repetitive in places, and having things not cleared up by the end of the movie while bringing not much new to the story as the film progresses.
As ever, Maguire is simply brilliant as the geeky Parker. I don't think anyone else could have landed the role as he does. That's because Maguire is Parker, he is Spider-Man. Similar to how Sean Connery is James Bond, Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones...Tobey Maguire is Spider-Man.
Meanwhile, in the director's chair, Sam Raimi expands the narrative, but can't seem to get a tight grip on it.
On the inside and on the outside, Spider-Man 2 remains a comic-book story. It's been acclaimed as one of the best, if not the best, comic-book movies ever made by a number of critics. As a sequel, Spider-Man 2 is quite character developmental, but also too long. And so, it didn't appear to me as a fun movie like how the first flick was, even though it remains a summer popcorn blockbuster.
***/5
This movie was just alright.....
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