Spider-Man 2 (June 28/04)

With Spider-Man 2, director Sam Raimi has done the seemingly impossible: he's managed to top the original (which remains one of the best adaptations of a comic book). Not content to exist as merely a retread of the first film, Spider-Man 2 does what ever good follow-up should do by continuing the storyline. Watched back to back, there'd be a real sense of continuity to both Spider-Man films; something that can't be said of most contemporary sequels.

There's a good possibility that impatient audience members will have a tough time embracing Spider-Man 2, as it spends an unusual amount of time developing the various characters. There are a number of spectacular action sequences, but when everything's said and done, the movie has devoted much more screen time to quieter moments than to special effects set-pieces. Screenwriter Alvin Sargent doesn't limit himself to exploring Peter Parker's psyche, spending an almost equal amount of time on periphery characters like James Franco's Harry Osborn and Rosemary Harris' May Parker.

As a result, the film's not nearly as plot-heavy as one might expect. The villain this time around is Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) - or Doc Ock - a scientist whose latest experiment has left him with four gigantic metal arms fused to his body. Peter (Tobey Maguire) is still struggling with his double life, finding plenty of success as Spider-Man but virtually none as Peter. His relationship with Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) is on the sidelines, though it's clear Peter still has strong feelings for her. Harry is still dealing with the death of his father at the hands of Spider-Man, while May is finally beginning to accept Ben's senseless murder.

Obviously, a lot of credit for the seamless blend of action and drama has to go to Raimi. He seems far more comfortable this time around, inserting little in-jokes and gags that will undoubtedly please his longtime fans (check out the welcome appearance of a chainsaw in a pivotal sequence). The film also marks his return to the widescreen format (For Love of the Game remains his only other film to be shot in that ratio), and - along with cinematographer Bill Pope - Raimi does a wonderful job of utilizing the expanded frame, filling the screen with the sort of eye-catching camerawork that's become his trademark.

Of course, such things would mean nothing if it weren't for the continued efforts of an exceedingly talented group of actors. Maguire once again delivers a fantastic performance, deftly balancing the Peter Parker/Spider-Man personas with apparent ease. Molina is just as effective as Doctor Octopus, providing Spider-Man with an engaging and intriguing foil. He brings a great deal of humanity to the role, allowing the audience to sympathize with him a little (not too much, though; he is a supervillain, after all). Supporting performers like Franco and J.K. Simmons (as Spider-Man hating publisher J. Jonah Jameson) add unexpected depth to even the most minor of roles. And the requisite Bruce Campbell cameo just might be the highlight of the entire film.

It's hard to say what's more enjoyable in Spider-Man 2 - the spectacular action sequences or the surprisingly moving dramatic elements. The bottom line is that Spider-Man 2 is a summer movie for people that don't ordinarily enjoy summer movies.