Video Librarian Reviews
Tobey Maguire so completely embodies the joyous, daredevil confidence of Spider-Man and the sweet, self-doubting chump-iness of Peter Parker that in just two movies he has arguably become the most compellingly human superhero in movie history. And despite exhilarating action and an equally charismatic villain in Doc Ock (Alfred Molina)--a newly-gone-mad nuclear scientist now fused to a Medusa-like quartet of evil robotic arms --this sequel is genuinely shaped by Peter's inner clash between what he's driven to do (fight crime in a Spandex suit) and his secret love for Mary Jane (once again played by the talented, irresistible Kirsten Dunst). None of the complexity here (partially courtesy of novelist Michael Chabon, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) takes a back seat to commercialism or clichés, as it did in the original (there's no soundtrack-selling cameo by Macy Gray and no cackling cartoon villain). In fact, returning director Sam Raimi breaks more rules than he follows and the resulting depth will improve the film's shelf life. If Spider-Man was good bubble gum, this movie is a Willy Wonka Everlasting Gobstopper of genuine depth and ante-upping, wildly imaginative, white-knuckled web-slinging. Highly recommended. (R. Blackwelder) Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2004.