Spider-Man 2 (2004): Peter Parker is beset with troubles in his failing personal life as he battles Doctor Octavius (aka Doc Ock), a brilliant scientist with mechanical tentacles to do his bidding.
With the origin story out of the way, the second SM movie has more time to dedicate to the story at hand, and this time the villain is much better. I didn’t dislike Green Goblin, but the costume was a bit stiff and didn’t look cool. Not so for Doc Ock.
Again this is not an evil man out to conquer the world. He is not a James Bond villain or Lex Luthor. He is a good man that has lost his wife, has lost his dream, and is influenced by those tentacles (though I don’t understand why the tentacles are evil..). Alfred Molina certainly gives a good performance as Doc Ock. Even his look with the tentacles is great, and certainly more menacing than Goblin. I liked that he is very charming and likable at the beginning of the movie.
I really like the scene in the operating room, when the tentacles go crazy and kill all those people. That was a really scary scene, reminiscent of Sam Raimi’s horror movies.
The relationship between MJ and Peter reminded me of Clark and Lana on Smallville. Peter can’t and doesn’t want to have a relationship with MJ, but at the same time he tries to be there for her, failing miserably due to his crime fighting. Also he loses his powers but then gets them back, going back and forth with MJ, almost playing with her. But unlike Smallville, at the end everything is in the open and they can start their relationship.
Aunt May is there again to teach Peter a lesson and put him back on the hero track, but what I really liked was the scene where Peter confessed to her about his involvement in Ben’s death. She just gets up and goes to her room, without saying a word, with just an incredulous expression.
JK Simmons is the perfect JJ Jameson, funny and irritable at the same time. Mainly funny, and I am glad that he had a slightly bigger role this time.
The action scenes are even better this time. In large part I think that is due to Doc Ock. The whole scene that starts in the bank, and ends on the train is just great. And I think Raimi was smart in taking Peter’s mask off at the end. It gives Maguire the chance to act and intensify the drama of the scene. Also it shows us that Spider-Man can be seen unmasked as long as he is not photographed and there are no villains around.
The reaction of Harry when he sees Peter as SM is well acted, he is horrified and almost decides to let go of the issue. But then his father’s ghost comes out and pushes him to become Goblin and avenge him. Nice cameo by Dafoe.
The SM theme by Danny Elfman is a good one, not unforgettable but certainly recognizable.
I wish Raimi didn’t re-utilize some of the same plot points: MJ is captured by the villain to lure SM out. Peter goes into a building on fire and saves people. These all happen in both movies. Let’s come up with new ideas.
As I said I am satisfied with the ending, which allows for different story direction in the next movie, at least regarding Peter and MJ. And I can’t wait to watch the newest SM3.
Rating: 4 Stars