While I wouldn’t consider myself one of the largest supporters of the original Spider-man movie, I will say that just as the second X-men film took the series to another level Spider-man 2 goes above and beyond what the first film started.
Whereas the first film seemed to water down its action sequences making them slow and methodical this time around Sam Raimi sped the action up and made it an unimaginable spetacal that rivals any before it.
Spider-man 2 picks up exactly where the first film left off with a really cool opening montage during the film’s credit sequence in which comic versions of scenes from the first film are presented leading us into a new world of Spider-man where aggression takes control.
We are now introduced to what I deem Spider-man’s ultimate enemy, Dr. Octopus played by Alfred Molina, who couldn’t be any more perfect or the role if he tried. Dr. Otto Octavius is a scientist whose dream of using usion as a new source of energy suddenly finds himself an example of his own creation gone wrong as he is transformed into a monster weilding four mechanical arms welded to his spine.
As he result of his failed experiment he soon finds himself hell bent on proving his creation is not a failure and in the process of proving his brilliance he also finds himself in league with the most likely of characters.
Spider-man 2 definitely satisfies the thirst for action, but amidst that action, it also manages to build on the story of Peter Parker’s love for Mary Jane Watson, or M.J. and delves deeper into Parker’s battle with himself as he struggles to figure out if he was truly destined to be Spider-man and if he has a choice in the matter or not.
Unfortunately once Sam Raimi takes a break in the relentless action sequences he gets a little too caught up in the Spidey story and the film tends to drag at times. Peter’s Aunt May’s part in the film is essential, but is visited way too often and at far too long a length each time.
With that said, the times the film does tend to drag could also be a result of what could easily be considered some of the best action sequences ever to be put on film. A scene in which Doc Ock and Spidey battle atop a moving subway train is absolutely phenomenal and beats out any action scene I have ever seen, you will find yourself on the edge of your seat until the action stops.
Not only does Spider-man 2 have some of the best and most convincing CGI action ever, I am willing to say right now that the Visual FX Oscar is virtually a lock. If the trailers weren’t enough to convince you to see this film I hope this review is.
Spider-man 2 has a large task ahead as it faces a daunting $400 million+ figure attained by its predecessor, but with the anticipation for this film and shear fact that it is 400 times better than the first film that number should be a walk in Central Park for the webbed one, and a quarter of that number will be an afterthought come this Monday.
Like I really need to tell you, but get your ass into theaters and be sure not to miss this one on the big screen, you won’t regret it for a second.
Oh yeah, and one last thing, if you haven’t heard already you can expect to see Spider-man 2 on a much larger screen in mid-July, and by larger screen I mean IMAX. One thing is for certain… I will be there.
