Sam raimi...plse read :) & others - fair review - Spider-Man 2 Reviews

The positives of this film--SPIDER-MAN 2: Visually, the special effects are well-done and dramatically appealing. There shouldn't be anyone complaining in this film that the effects were cartoony (which some said re: the original). It truly does soar, and it will give you chills. The story: more complex and paced solid than the original. For the 3 people in the world who missed the first film, you get a review. Though some might say that this is unnecessary and excess on the filmmakers part, I disagree. What the filmmaker is trying to say is, we all as human beings live on through tragedy, but tragedy and its effects does not leave us. We can't simply shed the tragedy like an excess skin. It is part of who we are. It gives the foundation on which to build further and highlight the characters' growth. The villain: the hospital wake-up scene of Doc. Ock is truly great, with Sam Raimi displaying his expertise in horror film-making.... Truly an eerie and frightening look at what evil can do if it is not tamed. A great match-up for Spidey, but, and this is the part I really liked upon rumination, that the story of Spider-Man 2 isn't focused so much on the villain nearly as much as it was on Peter's own life, and the battles he has to deal with regarding himself and his environments. The villain is one we might sympathize with. At the beginning of the film, I realized that this Doc Octavias might easily be a neighbor; he didn't have the look of a madman...which is what made the character believable and interesting. Love life: Stays true to the original but expands on what has originally happened. There's something that happens that I shall not say (to avoid giving away a spoiler), but let's just say the possibilities of future stories expands significantly, and, I felt, becomes even more interesting and even fascinating. Negatives: A lot of similarities to the first film but with layers that run deeper in this film. A lot of reminiscing to the first film which I'm sure was meant to continue building on the foundation (but it borders on being repetitive, but if it does weaken the overall film, it is easily forgiven). My only complaint is a small one, but I would've wanted the story to be more serious, perhaps similar to X-Men & X-Men 2 (the latter being arguably the best comic book adaptation ever). There are several scenes where things happen to Peter Parker (i.e. tripping over himself or going to grab a drink at a high social event and, of course, someone grabs the item just before he does [and this happens several times])... Although this got the audience to laugh, I felt the result is a pulling away from the character and story. It seems to me that with all the other things happening to Parker, not rubbing in his bad luck would not diminish the film. The other thing is the use of main characters in Parker's life to threaten and terrify Parker. As it is, Aunt May and MJ should consider moving out of NYC. They've both had the most terrifying of ordeals with some of the most powerful evil minds NY has ever seen. Sometimes, things in comic books seem too well-placed or approach being unbelievable because of synthetic timing and too-convenient encounters. If I had been directing this film, I would've used an innocent bystander to be Doc Ocks hostage, not Aunt May (though it was a great scene, and I did feel concern for her as well as Spidey's anger at not being able to get to her). I understand the concern to draw people in, but with some work, this could be just as easily done with a regular bystander. If the focus had been placed on Doc Ock and Spidey only, could that story arc have been just as satisfying? Highlights: (Spoilers ahead; avoid if you want to enjoy and see afresh at the movie theater) The train rescue was powerful and truly showed us the potential abilities of a man endowed with arachnid powers. It reminded me that he is clearly not a Superman, yet the feat he performed was truly as noble and showed his amazing strength (he can, after all, lift up to ten tons of weight). The hospital scene in which Dr. Octopus awakens from unconsciousness. Truly worth seeing twice just to see that scene again. The police cruiser is thrown into the air and about to fall upon a corner-full of people when it stops in mid-air.... Truly neat stuff. A great movie, definitely above average, and yes, we seem to get a glimpse into film 3, though I wouldn't be so sure that the villain will necessarily be Green Goblin 2 (or, as Spidey-fans already know, the Hobgoblin). My bets are that it will be either Lizard or Hobgoblin (if not both); my hope, though unlikely, is to see Venom (nothing, afterall, is potentially greater than seeing a spider that hunts other spiders). If you care to dialogue about this film or other films, feel free to email me. I'm Sean Russell Strickland, and my email is ****.com Take care! And as Stan Lee would say, Excelsior!