Spider-Man 2

Director: Sam Raimi Sam Raimi

Overview

Stan Lee's all-too-human superhero returns to the screen in this highly anticipated sequel to 2002's blockbuster hit Spider-Man. Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is attempting to juggle college classes and his job as a photographer with the Daily Bugle while maintaining his secret life as costumed crime-fighter Spider-Man. Parker is also struggling to hold on to his relationship with Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), who is beginning to enjoy success as a model and actress, and both Mary Jane and Peter have noticed he's beginning to buckle under the strain. Parker's friendship with Harry Osborn (James Franco) is also beginning to fray due to Peter's seeming alliance with Spider-Man, whom Harry blames for the death of his father, the nefarious Norman Osborn. As Parker weighs his responsibilities to himself and those around him against the obligations that come with his special powers, Spider-Man is faced with a new nemesis -- Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), a deranged scientist whose latest project has turned him into the near-invincible cyborg Doctor Octopus. Spider-Man 2 was directed by Sam Raimi, who helmed the first film, and much of the original cast has also reunited for this sequel, including Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, and Bruce Campbell.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/30/2004
UPC:	0043396051485
Original Release:	2004
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	Sony Pictures

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Tobey Maguire	Peter Parker/Spider-Man
Kirsten Dunst	Mary Jane Watson
James Franco	Harry Osborn
Alfred Molina	Dr. Otto Octavius, AKA Doctor Octopus
Rosemary Harris	Aunt May
Donna Murphy	Rosalie Octavius
J.K. Simmons	J. Jonah Jameson
Daniel Gillies	John Jameson
Dylan Baker	Dr. Curt Connors
Bill Nunn	Joseph "Robbie" Robertson
Vanessa Ferlito	Louise
Aasif Mandvi	Mr. Aziz
Willem Dafoe	Green Goblin/Norman Osborn
Cliff Robertson	Ben Parker
Ted Raimi	Hoffman
Elizabeth Banks	Miss Brant
Bruce Campbell	Snooty Usher
Brooke Adams	Felicia Hardy
Joel McHale	Mr. Jacks
Bonnie Somerville	Actor
Jason Ortiz	Henry

Technical Credits

Alvin Sargent

Sam Raimi	Director
James Acheson	Costumes/Costume Designer
Avi Arad	Producer
C. Scott Baker	Set Decoration/Design
Joseph M. Carraciolo	Executive Producer
Michael Chabon	Original Story
J. Andre Chaintrevil	Set Decoration/Design
John Chichester	Set Decoration/Design
Dianne Crittenden	Casting
Mick Cukurs	Set Decoration/Design
Grant Curtis	Co-producer
Danny Elfman	Score Composer
Kevin Feige	Executive Producer
John Frazier	Special Effects
Joseph Geisinger	Sound/Sound Designer
Alfred Gough	Original Story
Jeffrey J. Haboush	Sound/Sound Designer
Anette Haellmigk	Cinematographer
Eric Heffron	Asst. Director
Daniel R. Jennings	Set Decoration/Design
Gary Jones	Costumes/Costume Designer
Jeff Knipp	Art Director
Anthony LaMolinara	Special Effects
Stan Lee	Executive Producer
Jeff Markwith	Set Decoration/Design
Miles Millar	Original Story
Bob Murawski	Editor
Scott P. Murphy	Art Director
Kevin O'Connell	Sound/Sound Designer
Paul N.J. Ottoson	Sound/Sound Designer
Bill Pope	Cinematographer
Greg P. Russell	Sound/Sound Designer
Steven A. Saklad	Art Director
Alvin Sargent	Screenwriter
Neil Spisak	Production Designer
Patte Strong-Lord	Set Decoration/Design
Tom Valentine	Art Director
Thomas P. Wilkins	Art Director
Robert Woodruff	Set Decoration/Design
Laura Ziskin	Producer

Editorial Reviews

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.

Barnes & Noble - Ed Hulse

Sam Raimi raises the bar of excellence with Spider-Man 2, a highly evolved sequel that brims with superb comedy, heartfelt characters, and dazzling visuals that nail the wall-crawler's universe in a fully respectable and exciting way. With the luxury of having the origin story behind them, the filmmakers let loose with this one, all the while still staying true to the character-driven focus that made the first film so fresh and appealing. Tobey Maguire again holds the spotlight amazingly well, this time comically tortured by his director, who seems to finally be having fun with the franchise. Back is Raimi's energetic visual style, something that has been missing since his Darkman days and one thing that the original was sorely lacking. Of course, the hero always needs a villain, and this time it's Alfred Molina playing a Doc Oc that isn't over-the-top in the usual flamboyant way, but brimming with a conflicted sense of sadness mixed with maniacal purpose. His tentacles deserve credit as well, as they add little touches of flair even when they aren't throwing Spidey through walls or bashing up city streets. Kirsten Dunst delivers another charming performance, while James Franco takes the Harry Osbourne character through the next step in his tragic arc, pointing straight toward events in the third film. The real surprise is Rosemary Harris as a truly touching Aunt May, who ends up being the emotional backbone of the story. Her speeches to Peter are devastating and resonate throughout the film as the events are played out. Again, it's this kind of attention to character that really makes the series shine. While Spider-Man 2 is a visual feast brimming with action, it never plays dumb to its characters or the audience. Raimi and company have effectively expanded on the world they created, making every scene essential to what has happened before and a building block of what's to come. Eagle-eyed fans will appreciate the nods to various other characters in the universe, the most immediate being Dylan Baker as Dr. Curt Connors (who eventually becomes The Lizard in the comics), along with Daniel Gillies's John Jameson, whose character is a direct setup for canine villain Man-Wolf. However close to perfect the final film is, there are a few things that don't ring so true -- Harry Osbourne needs a little more sympathy instead of being angry from the get-go, while Peter's tall and skinny neighbor supplies a great laugh, but doesn't end up serving much of a purpose in the end. Still, those are nitpicks and very well might end up paying off by the time the third movie rolls around. With advanced effects, a much more satisfying Danny Elfman score, and a filmmaker at the top of his game leading the charge, Spider-Man 2 is a classic superhero movie that deserves the near-unanimous praise that it has garnered.

All Movie Guide - Jeremy Wheeler