Spider-Man 2 (2004)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Sam Raimi

Writers (WGA):

Stan Lee (comic book) and
Steve Ditko (comic book) ...

Release Date:

30 June 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Fantasy | Thriller

Tagline:

Sacrifice

Plot:

Peter Parker is beset with troubles in his failing personal life as he battles a brilliant scientist named Doctor Otto Octavius, who becomes Doctor Octopus (aka Doc Ock), after an accident causes him to bond psychically with mechanical tentacles that do his bidding.

Plot Keywords:

Super Villain | Death | College | Fusion | Crime Fighter

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 14 wins & 39 nominations

Cast

Tobey Maguire	...	Spider-Man / Peter Parker
Kirsten Dunst	...	Mary Jane Watson
James Franco	...	Harry Osborn
Alfred Molina	...	Doc Ock / Dr. Otto Octavius
Rosemary Harris	...	May Parker
J.K. Simmons	...	J. Jonah Jameson
Donna Murphy	...	Rosalie Octavius
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

Also Known As:

Spider-Man 2 Lives (USA) (working title)
Spider-Man 2.1 (USA) (recut version)
Spider-Man 2: The IMAX Experience (USA) (IMAX version)
Spider-Man: No More (USA) (working title)
Spiderman 2 (USA) (alternative spelling)
The Amazing Spider-Man (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for stylized action violence.

Runtime:

127 min | USA:135 min (DVD extended cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS (8 channels)

Certification:

France:U | Iceland:12 | Italy:T | Malaysia:U | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Brazil:Livre | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Finland:K-11/9 | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | India:U | Ireland:PG | Netherlands:12 | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Philippines:G | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12A (IMAX version) | UK:PG (cut) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #39546) | South Korea:12 | Denmark:11

Filming Locations:

28 Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Filming was originally scheduled in February 2003, but Tobey Maguire injured his arm, causing filming to be delayed two months.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Peter is in the burning building, and is trying to get out, three big chunks of the floor collapse. Before they do, you can see lines pre-cut in the floor so it breaks the way it does.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Peter Parker: [narrating] She looks at me everyday. Mary Jane Watson. Oh boy! If she only knew how I felt about her. But she can never know. I made a choice once to live a life of responsibility. A life she can never be a part of. Who am I? I'm Spider-Man, given a job to do. And I'm Peter Parker, and I too have a job.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Soggadu (2005)

Soundtrack:

Suicide Polka

See this one.

WOW.

I had low expectations after Spiderman 1. Spider Guy 2 is a blowout, take no prisoners, roller coaster ride of a film. It's got it all: great story line, edge of your seat action, romance, humor, fine acting, break neck pace,….well, you get the idea.

This film is for the whole family. Great chase scenes, crashes, and special effects for the guys. Romance, and a tender love story for the gals. Comic book touches for the kids. It just works so well on every level.

McGuire and Dunst have a chemistry that reminded me of Niles and Daphne in "Frasier." They loved each other from afar, and could not communicate their feelings to each other. The romantic tension was exquisite. So it is here with McGuire and Dunst. You know they have to get together at some point, but the long and difficult road is a journey we enjoy.

The villain is definitely top shelf. Without revealing too much, suffice it to say that he's bad enough, scary enough, and convincing enough to make the film work on the plot level.

The special effects are well done, especially where Spiderman has to save passengers on a speeding train.

Spiderman has self doubts, begins to lose his powers, and longs to be Peter Parker instead of a superhero. He struggles with his choices in life, as we all do. He makes difficult choices, and learns that truth and integrity are rewarded, even when the results are very painful for the aunt who has replaced his mother.

You might see films with a deeper message, but you won't see many films that combine action, romance, and meaning in one slick package. See this one. In fact, you may want to buy this one for your DVD library.