Scott’s Spiderman 2 Review

At long last, I finally got to see a film that I have been waiting for since I saw the first one. I am probably the last person on earth to see this who has actually wanted to see it, but in case I’m not, beware of spoilers that may lurk below.

My immediate reaction to the film was as close as I think I have ever gotten to a cinematic orgasm. This film seems to build from the last one mostly in the area of visuals. The CGI action sequences seemed more real than #1. The battle scenes were what every comic book reader envisions when they encounter the sequence still shots on the flat paper pages. My favorite fights took place on the buildings. The knock-down drag-out fights between Spidey and Doc Ock were awesome. I enjoyed those battles more so than the much balleyhooed Matrix scenes, because this movie looked like it was lifted right out of those ink and pencil pages. Gritty. Epic. Fantastic, no amazing.

While #2 exceeds #1 in the effect department, it still retains the heart that existed in the first film. Peter is still pathetic. Mary Jane is still tormented by Peter’s ambivalence as much as he is. I am glad that it was resolved in the end though because I don’t believe that they could sustain that through a third movie. This is not Ross and Rachel after all. I think the characters as well as the audience would not have the patience for this much longer. Case in point, MJ is tired of it midway through this film. Also, the villian so to speak, Doc Ock is incredibly simpathetic. Molena’s performance is Oscar worthy I dare say, but who am I kidding, this is a comic book movie. Raimi and Molena took a Spidey nemesis who has never been simpathetic and created someone almost more tragic than Spiderman himself.

Since, these films have a way of condensing Spiderman’s history, it will be interesting to see where the third picks up. I am most interested in where the triangle of friends Pete-MJ-Harry stands in #3. By the way, how MJ found out about Spiderman’s ID and her subsequent reaction was beautiful and priceless. Anyway, that’s enough rambling for me. I even waited a few days to compose my thoughts and I am still a little vaklempt.