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SPIDER-MAN 2 Send This Review to a Friend
The summer stack of action films doesn’t have to be a junk pile, as evidenced by the smartly done “Spider-Man 2,” a sleek blend of special effects galore and a warm, human touch. In addition to Spider-Man zipping among New York skyscrapers and saving the day there is a special effects bonanza in Doc Ock (Alfred Molina), whose fusion project backfires and renders him a monster with huge, menacing, metallic, octopus-like tentacles that are fascinating to watch in action.
The human quality comes with the performance of Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, a sweet nebbish as himself but fearless and powerful when he morphs into Spider-Man. Maguire is so very likable and pleasant to watch that he gives the film its heart and soul.
Kirsten Dunst provides the other warmth as actress Mary Jane Watson, the lovely young woman Peter loves, but can’t commit to because of his secret life and the danger she would face as his woman. The romantic thread plays a major part in the screenplay by Alvin Sargent, based on a screen story by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Michael Chabon and, of course, the Marvel comic book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.
Directed by Sam Raimi, “Spider-Man 2” is dazzling to look at, with stunning production design and seamless effects that draw one into to the yarn and web of imagination. One can almost believe the stuff.
Others in the cast include James Franco, Rosemary Harris, J. K. Simmons, Donna Murphy, Daniel Gillies, Dylan Baker, Bill Nunn, Aasif Mandvi and a brief return of Cliff Robertson as Ben Parker. Molina is somewhat of a picture stealer as Doc Ock, a long way from his stage role as Tevya in “Fiddler on the Roof.” A Columbia Pictures release.
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