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Spider-Man 2
At the climax of Kill Bill: Vol 2, Bill lets loose with a lonnggg speech about comic book super heroes - how they're all essentially much of a muchness, being humans who have lucked into their special powers one way or another. The exception is Superman: "Superman did not become Superman, Superman was born Superman. When Superman wakes up in the morning, he is Superman... His outfit with the big red 'S' Those are his clothes. What Clark Kent wears, the glasses, the business suit, that's the costume he wears to blend in with us. Clark Kent is how Superman views us: weak, unsure of himself, a coward. That's Superman's critique on the whole human race." Words to that effect. It may not be Tarantino's finest dialogue - the scene just sits there for a couple of minutes while we listen to this lecture... it might even strike some people as self-parody. But still, it's a very nifty piece of pop cultural commentary. As far as it goes.
If we glean nothing else from Spider-Man 2, at least it makes one thing crystal clear: it's not easy being a superhero. The hours are a killer, the press is on your back, there's no pay, and the costume tends to ride up in the crotch. No wonder Peter is having doubts about his calling. And then there's Mary-Jane (Kirsten Dunst) to think about. The novelist Michael Chabon is one of three writers with a 'story' credit on the film. There's no mention of Nikos Kazantzakis, but the messianic imagery doesn't leave room for doubt. What we have here is basically 'The Last Temptation of Spidey': Peter's blessing is also his curse. His special powers mean he cannot live like other men; not just the wall-climbing, web-slinging malarkey, but his acute sense of justice sets him apart. Doesn't Peter deserve a life of his own?
'A guy called Dr Otto Octavius ends up with eight limbs - what are the odds?' wonders news editor Jonah Jameson (JK Simmons). A masterly actor, Molina brings plenty of weight to this hydraulic hydra. Directed by Sam Raimi, like the first film, Spider-Man 2 features one spectacularly grisly massacre which reminds us of Raimi's Evil Dead days - and should make parents of younger children think twice about the movie. But that sequence isn't typical. For all Parker's vacillations, the movie has a sure comic touch and significantly improved special effects bolster four or five impressive action set-pieces. Tom Charity 
More information about Spider-Man 2 » Critics' Reviews
Radio Times
With the reluctant hero's origins covered in the first movie, a sequel offered returning director Sam Raimi the chance to have some real fun. And that's exactly what he does, harnessing advances in technology to deliver a fantasy adventure that's slicker and more stylish than its predecessor. Two years after events in the original, Tobey Maguire's web-slinger is struggling to cope with the responsibilities his powers bring, a task complicated by the appearance of multi-tentacled villain Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina). A more complex nemesis than Willem Dafoe's hammy Green Goblin, Doc Ock's physical clashes with Spider-Man are the film's highlights — unfortunately, he's underused, as the action often takes second place to sentimentality. While the focus on Spidey's feelings for Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) adds emotional depth, it also dilutes the adrenalin-rush excitement. Quibbles aside, however, the feature's still the most solid of the recent comic-book adaptations, with the wit, charm and imagination to satisfy the fussiest of fans. Time Out Whats a superhero to do when he fancies nay, loves a girl but theres a whole load of crime to fight in... read more on www.timeout.com Empire "...In a word. amazing..." Members' ReviewsReviews Voted Most HelpfulMost Recent Reviews |
Spider-Man, as
Stan Lee's hyphen underlines, is fundamentally human. Like Clark Kent, Peter Parker
(Tobey Maguire)
works at a newspaper on the basis of his 'special relationship' with a certain tabloid
favourite. Like Kent, he's a bit nerdy, confused, and ineffectual. Unlike
Kent, this is
not an act or a put-on. I guess you could say it's Stan Lee's critique on the whole human race.
Fortunately for the rest of us, when push comes to shove, Spidey bounces back. And a
new villain, Dr Ock (Alfred Molina),
is on hand to administer said push eight-fold.