Spider-Man 2

Simply put: This is the greatest comic-book film ever made. Spider-Man 2 leaves the original in the dust, raising the bar for the comic book film and delivering on so many levels.

RATING: 5 out of 5

Now, I would like to start this review by making it clear that Evo Terra is a heartless bastard. I say this because he’s been guilting me into getting caught up on my obligation to review films, and yes — he’s right. I made a promise to the guys to review films, something I genuinely enjoy doing. But as I’ve got two books to finish and a new daughter recently arrived, I’ve been preoccupied. Still, Evo prattled on and finally guilted me into getting caught up on my reviews.

But even though this is good for my soul to deliver (not one, not two, but…) three reviews in one night, I still think Travis is a heartless bastard…

I also think he is absolutely right about Spider-Man 2. It is the greatest comic book-to-film title we have ever seen!

As I type this, I am watching on TCM what I believed was the greatest title to date: Superman. Now, what makes Spider-Man 2 top what I still consider to be a great piece of modern mythology? Well, this proclamation is not easily come by as I am reminded in real time just how good this movie, twenty-five years later, still is. First, there is the all-star cast: Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Glenn Ford, Ned Beatty, and the fresh-faced, wide eyed Christopher Reeve stepping into the blue tights. Music by John Williams. Directed by Richard Donner. And the classic story of America’s first superhero.

This movie still gives me chills.

But what makes Spider-Man 2 edge out Superman for the title is two reasons: 1. Superman’s sequels and 2. The appeal of Marvel Comic superheroes.

First, while Superman is an incredible American epic, its follow-up — Superman II — is an admirable follow-up, but a little too manipulative and over-the-top in some of its more “heroic” moments. Something about the film does not stand the test of time. And I will not dwell on the other two films which went from bad to inexcusable!

Second, there is just something about the Marvel superheroes. While DC Comic prided themselves on the integrity and values of their good guys, you might notice that they suddenly took a darker edge when Marvel and its rogues’ gallery garnered mass appeal. But Marvel heroes tend to be a bit more “realistic” in their approach to the superhero. Think about it. How many of the Marvel heroes are born heroes? Spider-Man had his bite from a radioactive arachnid. Bruce Banner’s scientific experiment gone awry is what led to The Hulk. And Daredevil came to be from too much toxic waste on Matt Murdock’s eyes. They choose to become what they are, taking their faults and frailties with them.

The Marvel heroes who are born with abilities — I refer, of course to the gifted students at the Xavier Institute — don’t want to be superheroes. And their own faults and frailties are aggravated all the more with reluctantly stepping into guardian roles over people who fear, hate, and remain prejudice against them. While the DC folks set up their own league, Marvel heroes remain underground along with the villains they face-off against.

God, I love Marvel Comics!

So, equal to my own beliefs that Evo/Travis is a heartless bastard and that Marvel Comics rocks, Spider-Man 2 stands as the best film of 2004, and the best film of the comic book genre.

Now this isn’t anything that you haven’t heard before, but something I’m surprised about in the reviews I have seen and read of the webslinging sequel is what is missing: what makes this sequel so frigging cool. Oh sure, the special effects are killer, the action sequences look as if Stan Lee composed them himself, and the score from Danny Elfman is as it was in the first one — goose-bump worthy.

But now, you’re about to find out where I was going with my lengthy intro…

Why is this film so frigging cool? For one thing, Spider-Man 2 tops the original film. In Spider-Man, we got what we expected: the legend of Marvel Comic’s first superhero. We got the introduction of Peter Parker, the good kid who finds himself the unlikeliest of heroes. We got Mary Jane, the hot chick next door. We also got the Green Goblin, Aunt May, and J. Jonah Jammeson. Just like Superman…

However, unlike Superman II, Spider-Man 2 goes in an entirely different direction, beginning with Peter Parker’s life hardly being as solid as Clark Kent’s. Clark Kent is able to make his deadlines, bring in the big bucks with his cushy newspaper job, and still save the planet from peril. And when he gets a free night (and sometimes, he did), he takes Lois out for a night of dinner and flying. But Pete is in the doghouse with both Mary Jane, Aunt May, and Harry Osborn. First, everyone’s seen Mary Jane’s stage debut…everyone, but Peter. Folks have been checking on Aunt May to see how she’s holding up since Uncle Ben’s death…everyone, but Peter. And Harry is pissed at his best friend because Pete is making ends meet with pictures of Spider-Man, the guy who murdered Harry’s dad. But Peter is hardly making ends meet with the (self-portrait) snapshots. The grades at college are slipping. He can’t hold a second part-time job. And unlike The Daily Planet’s treatment of the Man of Steel, The Daily Bugle continues to vilify Peter’s wall-crawling alter-ego.

So Peter, on hearing of Mary Jane’s engagement to Astronaut and All-American hero John Jameson, decides he’s going to get his priorities straight…and he quits the business.

But being associated with a superhero, according to the Marvel universe, is a lot like being associated with The Mafia. You can’t just “walk away” from the business. And when a science experiment of Doctor Octavius’ goes horribly wrong, killing his beloved wife but giving birth to Doctor Octopus (a/k/a Doc Ock), Peter Parker is faced with the responsibility and destiny he never asked for.

Hot damn, what a movie!!!

Spider-Man 2 goes beyond the superhero, revealing the truth that sometimes a bug’s life isn’t always what it is cracked up to be. This is what makes the film air-tight and a new classic, breaking the norm of sequels and ascending to a higher plane above Spider-Man, an incredible film in its own right. But another reason Spider-Man 2 is a great film is the studio and Marvel Comics loosening the reins on director Sam Raimi and allowed him to be Sam Raimi. If you take a closer look at the Jameson party scene and the Operating Room scene, you will recognize a few of those same Raimi touches from Army of Darkness. And also seen in Hercules and Xena, Spider-Man 2 manages to poke gun at itself, comic book fandom, and even the press surrounding this highly-anticipated sequel. And something else that Raimi accomplishes with Spider-Man 2 is showing his eye for detail. This movie should get an Oscar for its opening credits alone!

If you haven’t seen this movie yet, get over yourself and make the time for it because it is time well-spent. This is a movie that everyone can love.

Well, I can think of one person who will hate this movie: Bryan Sanger. Raimi has just raised the bar for him to clear with his comic book films, X3 in 2005 and Superman Returns in 2006. Poor guy.

http://asimplerway.com/tdp/reviews/Spidey2.m3u