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Spider-Man Unmasked! That’s what
all the trailers have said for the last six months, and that’s what you get.
The new Spidey sequel has swung into theaters today, hoping to break box
office records in the process. And everybody is expecting it to.
Director Sam Rami is very conscious that
he is building a mythology first and a summer blockbuster second. The look
and feel of Spidey 2 merges immediately with the original as opening credits
paint the picture of previous film, drawing the audience back into the
story. Tobey, Kirsten, and ever character loved from the first film are back
and ready for more.
Spider-Man 2 develops the story of
a conflicted Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), struggling to carry the weight of
his superhero destiny, the every day life of a college student, and the
dreams he desires in his heart. Parker is beginning to realize, not
everybody likes Spider-Man. Too many citizens view him as a menace to
society, even Parker’s boss at the newspaper puts a negative spin on the
web-spinner. The additional burdens of letting his work and school go by the
way side, weigh heavily on Peter. But losing his love, Mary Jane (Kirsten
Dunst) brings Peter to the decision to be “Spider-Man no more.”
Meanwhile, Peter’s friend Harry Osmond
(James Franco) is striving to put his father’s company back on the map by
investing in the ideas of Doctor Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), who is
developing a new fusion energy source that may very well win him the Nobel
Prize. When an accident occurs at the fusion reactor’s test, Octavius is
transformed into the sinister Doctor Octopus whose mind is warped by the
four experimental “arms” now welded to his body. Doc Ock is bent on
rebuilding his machine in the hope of saving his name. Harry Osmond agrees
to help Doc Ock in exchange for the capture of his father’s
murderer…Spider-Man.
Just like all sequels, you don’t have to
see the first to see the second, but to get the full effect, you should.
Spider-Man 2 is essentially a popcorn summer blockbuster, but an
enjoyable one. The special effects have greatly improved on the original,
allowing Spidey to soar to new heights. The story is better, the dialogue is
better, and best of all you don’t have a scene where the two main characters
have a conversation and you can’t see their mouths move.
While I like the character of Goblin in
the first film, I hated the costume. It was cumbersome and, well stupid
looking. Doc Ock is a much more pleasing villain. He is an interesting
character and entertaining to watch. I was skeptical of Molina when I first
heard he was playing Octopus, but in the end he owns the role. Every other
returning character was just as good as before.
However, this movie is not flawless.
Ultimately, the second film is a little too soon for superhero angst. Peter
Parker giving up and shelving Spider-Man just doesn’t feel right this early
on in the series. I felt the same way in Superman II. I think you have to
see superheroes go through a lot more to make them quit. Sure the last two
years might have been rough on Parker, but the audience hasn’t seen it. It’s
almost just as bad as the Clone Wars happening between Star Wars Episodes II
and III. But we can suspend reality, can’t we. I was willing to trust Sam
Rami and enjoy.
Just when everything seems to be in its
right place and you have thrown reality out the door in favor of the
alternate, cinematic reality, Spider-Man 2 goes over the top.
Suddenly Spidey develops ‘Superman-like’ strength to stop a runaway elevated
train. The climax between Spidey and Harry disappears, presumably into the
third film. Everybody who has seen Spider-Man unmasked shrugs and says,
“Uh…I won’t tell.” The shameless plot point boiling for the up coming
triquel just doesn’t make me a happy camper. But that’s the point, to keep
the audience coming back for a third film and more.
Ultimately, Spider-Man 2 is good,
not great…but better than okay. It’s a good summer flick…if you can just sit
and enjoy it.
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