Another of those infrequent sequels that just might be better than the original, Spider-Man 2 not only offers a surfeit of spectacular action sequences but also advances the first film's romantic subplot and continues to develop its principal characters. In Tobey Maguire, director Sam Raimi has a soulful young actor perfectly suited to convey the angst of the crusading superhero Spider-Man -- honor bound to serve humanity, yet deeply resentful that this responsibility exacts an onerous toll on his personal life. As the film opens, Peter Parker (Maguire) is struggling to keep up with both his college studies and his part-time job as a freelance photographer, while fighting crime as Spider-Man. His old flame, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), now a successful model and actress, still has feelings for Peter -- but he holds her at arm's length, fearful of engaging in a romance that could end tragically if his enemies learn of their relationship. And then there's his best pal, Harry Osborn (James Franco), who blames Spider-Man for the death of his father and has vowed revenge, not knowing that Peter is actually the web-crawler he seeks. Over-the-top villainy is supplied by Doctor Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), a brilliant scientist who goes mad when mechanical tentacles become welded to his body in a laboratory accident. There's enough plot for two movies, with the doctor's depredations at times taking a backseat to the Peter/Harry/Mary Jane psychodrama. But Raimi is a proficient director, and he juggles the disparate story elements with admirable dexterity. The characters' interplay gives Spider-Man 2 a third dimension that most comic-book movies could use: It's fun to watch costumed combatants whaling the tar out of each other, but emotional underpinnings help make the physical conflicts more satisfying. As in the first film, Raimi and his special-effects team rely heavily on computer-generated imagery to give the fight scenes a larger-than-life quality. As a result, the sequel's visuals are, if anything, even more sophisticated than those of the original. Spider-Man 2, however, should never be mistaken for eye candy; it's an enormously satisfying adventure film for the kids that adults will find surprisingly affecting and enjoyable.