Captivating romance in a super-hero film, it works - Spider-Man 2 Reviews

First off, I'll tell you precisely what I thought of the overall film, and then I'll break it down into groups. If you haven't seen the film yet,you may want to skip the "grouping" review as I'll be picking on vital and telling aspects of the film, which would essentially give away all the juicy little secrets in this film. And I'd rather you see it and judge it for yourself. To do otherwise, would really spoil it for you. OVERALL Quite an honest rendition of everybody's favourite bad luck hero, and quite honest to the comic storyline of old. Peter Parker, the quintessential "Nerd", the "never-fit-in" "loser" turned superhero. Like the comic book series, the movie depicts his own personal life going down the toilet as his alter-ego, the Amazing Spider-man attempts to take on all of Manhattan's worries. He loses his job(s), his University grades tumble. He's constantly late and exhausted, and doesn't even have enough money for rent. He even continues to shoot down the ultimate chance for love with his boyhood dream-girl, Mary Jane Watson, in fear that she will become embroiled in his enemies quest to continue to hurt the ones he loves. (A carry-over from the first movie, but also in line with the comic book scenario, a lovely touch). He becomes a loner, in a 2-bit apartment, continuing his vindication to live up to the last words he remembers his Uncle Ben telling him, "With Great power, comes great responsibility." But after a while, he realizes that he has lived up to everyones responsibilities except his own. All this is incredibly revealed to us by actor Tobey Maquire. No one else could've portrayed it more realistically or with more passion. Tobey Maquire IS Peter Parker. One minute you can't help but feel pity for the guy, even when he's forced to take an elevator to the ground floor. And the next minute, you just want to slap him upside the head for constantly shooting down Mary Jane Watson's obvious hints to be together. Enter Doctor Otto Octavious, a brilliant physicist who has calculated a way to bring self-sustaining energy to the world. Played brilliantly by Alfred Molina, you get the sense that he's a deeply caring dreamer about to realize he can bring great good to the planet. Once again, his character mixes well with the comic book scenario, although when he was introduced into the comic book world some 40 odd years ago, stories were simpler, and brilliant geniuses became mad-scientists overnight. Doctor Octopus was indeed the Hyde to the sentimental Dr. Jekyll of this movie. But not without a complete lack of decency, although human life no longer seems to be a particularly high priority anymore. Couple that with Harry Osbourne's obsession to get even with Spider-man for supposedly killing his Father, Norman. And you suddenly have Doc Ock playing a hit-man for hire during one of Harry's drunken compulsions. The acting throughout the whole movie is fantastic and gut-wrenching. The special effects are twice as good as the original, and Sam Raimi continues to get that perfect angle with every foot of film. The plot has some serious flaws, but what all this accumulates into... Is a completely believable story. MY GROUPINGS - Don't continue if you haven't seen the movie. SCENES I ENJOYED THE MOST 5. Mary Jane Watson leaving the groom at the altar, as she finally decides, for both herself and Peter, that thier love is worth the risk. That it's better to have one life together, than two half-lives apart. Very touching. 4. Doctor Octopus, finally realizing the error of his ways, becoming the hero in the end by saving the city... Killing him off was a shame. 3. Surprisingly enough, the elevator ride. What other superhero talks about his costume riding up his crotch? Great comic interlude 2. Harry Osbourne drunkenly confronting Peter at the John Jameson Gala. This is the shock that really sends Peter Parker reeling. It's the final kick in the head he needs to give up being Spider-man. And the #1 scene is a provocatively stunning scene of pure character development, heart and soul. When Peter Parker finally builds up the nerve to tell his Aunt May an abridged, but honest, retelling of what really happenned the night Uncle Ben was shot and killed. The shame, the guilt, and the genuine shock in Aunt Mays eyes... Beautifully done. SCENES I REALLY HAD TO GIVE MY HEAD A SHAKE AT 5. Ummm, precisely WHY did Doctor Octavious need his multi-limbed appendages to conduct his experiment? This was never explained to my satisfaction. I understand he needs them to become the arch-villian Dr. Octopus, but that's all it seems they were good for. 4. If Dr.Octupus's mechanical appendages were supposedly impervious to both magnetic and electrical currents, why was he shown to be partially electrocuted by them near the end of the film? (A nit-pick, but valid) 3. Harry Osbourne hearing the voice of both the Green Goblin and his Father. As far as I knew, Harry never took the muscle enhancer that drove his Father insane, nor was it a genetic quirk. And hearing "ghosts" of BOTH seemed a little far-fetched. 2. Well, so much for a secret identity. In the comic book series, it took some 10 comic book years (40 real-life) for Harry, Mary Jane Watson, and a trainload of strangers to have Spidermans true identity revealed to them. It only took one film to do the job here. A little too much "cramming" for my tastes. And the #1 flaw in the storyline, which may or may NOT be explained come the next film... Is, why is Spidermans powers failing? In the comic book series, this happens at least 2 dozen times over the span of years, but always with an explanation to these lapses shortly revealed thereafter. None here. Nor any explanation as to how he miraculously gets them back. I Guess Doctor Connors (aka "The Lizard" for the next film) will have some serious experiments to conduct on our hapless hero next time out. Despite those annoying flaws, an extremely superior product to the original, which I also enjoyed immensely. Keep up the good work fellas. (And let's see if Gwen Stacy can get in there next time to really put the conflict into Mary Janes plans for romance.)