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Spider-Man 2 Director : Sam Raimi Rated MA 15+ Screens 30 June 
After enduring 'The Punisher' (Marvel's last attempt at making a comic book into a movie), I was a little frightened that the new Spider-Man movie was going to be just as bland and horrible. On the contrary, 'Spider-Man 2' surpasses the first movie by far - both in storyline, acting and amazing special effects. And it seems the movie's writers have also found the perfect balance of love, action and comedy that made the Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's comic book such a raging success (keep your eyes peeled for cameos). And clocking in at a little over two hours, director Sam Raimi thankfully hasn't skipped any of the details.The movie begins with Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire, somehow managing to look even dorkier than in the first film) having trouble finding time to hold a job, get to class and spend quality time with his secret love Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), as well as change into the Spidey costume and chase after criminals. All of which begin to take their toll on Parker who gets fired from his job as a pizza delivery guy (which, incidentally, gives the movie the best opening scene ever), is behind in his rent, failing school, and eventually begins losing both his superhero powers and, even worse, Mary Jane (to John Jameson, played by Daniel Gilles). Our hero then suffers an identity crisis, and makes the most selfish decisions a superhero ever could - he quits. But what a time to quit, what with Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina, who does an exceptional job) terrorising the city! As with all blockbusters, 'Spider-Man 2' has its corny lines and cheesy moments: Parker's Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) gives a speech on heroism, Spidey is passed over a crowd, Christ-like, after saving a train full of people, and Raimi's foreshadowing as to who might be the villain in 'Spider-Man 3' seems abruptly tacked on to the end of the movie. What saves this movie is the characters. Harry Osborn (James Franco) has become as obsessed with power and wealth as his father was and is desperate to seek vengeance on Spiderman, Mary Jane Watson is now an accomplished actress with her face on billboards, and J K Simmons almost steals the show as the pushy Daily Bugle editor J Jonah Jameson. Ted Raimi also deserves a mention as Jameson's assistant Hoffman, and look out for an awesome cameo by Bruce "Evil Dead" Campbell as the "Snooty Usher". An excellent way to continue the Spiderman story, a definite improvement on the first and by far enough to have fans desperate for 'Spider-Man 3.'  |
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