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   Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages

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Topic: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages (Read 1179 times)

Rhune
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Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« on: Jul 2^nd, 2004, 7:48pm »

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Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
Film surpasses original in many ways
By Paul Clinton
CNN Reviewer
Wednesday, June 30, 2004 Posted: 7:56 AM EDT (1156 GMT)

(CNN) -- "Spider-Man 2" joins "Shrek 2" as a 2004 blockbuster sequel that's every bit as good -- if not better -- than the original.

Two great sequels in one summer. No mean feat, that.

In the new "Spider-Man," two years have passed since Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) walked away from his true love, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), and decided to take the road of responsibility as Spider-Man. But he's finding the burden of being a superhero more than he bargained for, and things have reached a crisis.

Parker is trying to hold down a job as a pizza delivery guy, remain a full-time student at Columbia University, keep his feelings for Mary Jane at bay, and still be the Spider-Man on whom everyone has come to depend. Talk about a tough job.

This mild-mannered, Average Joe quality is what makes this particular superhero so accessible to fans, and director Sam Raimi -- along with numerous screenwriters, including Alvin Sargent (who won Academy Awards for his screenplays for 1977's"Julia" 1980's "Ordinary People") -- underscore Parker's ordinary-guy persona every chance they get.

Parker isn't the only character audiences can relate to. Even the villain this time out -- Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) -- is a reluctant bad guy with everyman qualities. Molina, who starts out a promising scientist involved in an experiment gone wrong, is great in the role of "Doc Ock."

Having a well-rounded villain makes the story, and the dilemmas suffered by our protagonist, more plausible than, say, the comic book plots in other films, even the "Batman" or the "X-Men" series. Let's not even mention "Daredevil."

(OK, giant steel arms growing out of Octavius' back is a far cry from plausible -- but this is based on a comic book.)

Great runaway train, Spider-Man!
While upping the emotional ante, Raimi has not forgotten that action is king in a summer movie, and there are plenty of razzle-dazzle, heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping action sequences. Indeed, a scene featuring runaway subway cars is the best use of a train in an action sequence I've seen since "The Fugitive."

James Franco is back as Peter's best friend, Harry Osborn, who's still nursing a grudge against Spider-Man for killing his father (Willem Dafoe), aka the Green Goblin, in the original film. His seething anger is pitch perfect. (Perhaps Franco is remembering that he auditioned for the role of Peter Parker and lost out to Maguire.)

Rosemary Harris also returns as Peter's Aunt May, and her role is more active than it was in her first outing.

J.K. Simmons continues to be a hoot, playing Peter's cigar-chomping, scenery-chewing boss at the Daily Bugle newspaper, where Peter's claim to fame is his ability to capture Spider-Man on film. It's never made clear how Peter can fly through the air as Spider-Man while taking his own pictures at the same time, but whatever.

(Editor's note: Several readers have since written in to say Parker uses timers or remote controls on his cameras, which are set up in advance of his Spidey derring-do.)

"Spider-Man 2" is faithful to the spirit of Stan Lee's invention and the Marvel comics that made this action hero so beloved. Thanks to this terrific film, the bar has been set high for Part Three -- scheduled for a theater near you in 2007.

"Spider-Man 2" opens nationwide on Wednesday, June 30.

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Rhune
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #1 on: Jul 2^nd, 2004, 7:49pm »

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I saw this on Wed. night and really enjoyed it. I'd have to watch it back to back with the first one to say which was better, but I certainly enjoyed it as much as the first.

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luci
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #2 on: Jul 3^rd, 2004, 10:02am »

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We saw this one on Thursday, very enjoyable. Rhune, I agree with you about the boss. He's definitely a hoot and plays his part over the top Cool

Look for S3 soon, we all know who will be the arch enemy for Peter/Spiderman, don't we? Lips Sealed

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"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and
can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

JP
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #3 on: Jul 3^rd, 2004, 11:03am »

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I'm watching this later (here) !!! And with the commercial I'm seeing on TV, I know this is one great film.

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sweetmisery
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #4 on: Jul 3^rd, 2004, 11:21am »

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I saw it earlier, and it rocks! Better than the first I agree(unlike Shrek in which I disagree)... It got a lot of different side stories, that you dont see the usual hero vs. villain mail plot. Come to think of it, his battle against Dr. Octo is not a big plot compared to his life... It got lots of comedies as well as some touching moments and words!

Yeah, JJ is very funny. I think the cast of SM2 was chosen perfectly... One of my favorite movies! Better than any single LotR movie(and I love medieval fantasy!). Cant wait for Spider Man 3!

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Pau
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #5 on: Jul 4^th, 2004, 7:32pm »

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this movie rocks!... definitely better than the first... from the graphics, stunts, and storyline... Cheesy

specially all the revelations...

yeah.. can't wait for the 3rd part too.. Cheesy

hmmm... I hope that at SM3 they'll feature Spidey's wedding to MJ... Cheesy

well as far as I know he is the only superhero with a wife... Cheesy

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david
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #6 on: Jul 4^th, 2004, 8:14pm »

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Reed Richards and Sue Storm married

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Rhune
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #7 on: Jul 5^th, 2004, 3:39am »

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I seem to recall Superman and Lois Lane were married for a time, but didn't stay married.

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david
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #8 on: Jul 5^th, 2004, 7:33am »

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During a time when Dc comics had several different universes with several different Supermen (all good) yes your right one of them was married to Lois Lane. During Crisis on infinite Earths these universes merged and many characters died I bleive that the married Lois and Superman however survived but didnt remain part of this universe some how but I am not sure that was 20 years ago when that storyline was written

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luci
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #9 on: Jul 5^th, 2004, 11:34am »

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.....and if Peter and MJ marry, it will be foiled by his arch enemy and Spiderman will miss his honeymoon!

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"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and
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Rhune
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #10 on: Jul 5^th, 2004, 12:05pm »

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LOL, probably...

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JP
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #11 on: Jul 5^th, 2004, 12:45pm »

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VERY COOL MOVIE!!!

I watched this yesterday, and it's magnificent! Spectacular! The best film this year! Cool

If the Academy doesn't snob action films, I bet this film will be nominated, maybe in the Director category. Roll Eyes

That's wishful thinking. Realistically, they may take home the special effects award. Cheesy

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Rhune
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #12 on: Jul 5^th, 2004, 7:33pm »

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Very true, the acting and directing awards will go to dramatic films traditionally.

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david
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #13 on: Jul 5^th, 2004, 10:39pm »

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In reference to missed homeymoon one of Spidey's foes almost had him miss his own wedding, and before that MJ was captured right before wedding

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luci
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Re: Review: 'Spider-Man 2' one for the ages
« Reply #14 on: Jul 5^th, 2004, 10:49pm »

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AHA, and I was only speculating. Never have I read a Spideyman comic book. Do you think I could be psychic? Wink

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"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and
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