Spider-Man 2 DVD Review:

With great power comes great responsibility. Those are the words that constantly resonate in Peter Parker's (Maguire) mind but being Spider-Man is dominating his life. He is constantly late for his job, J. Jonah Jameson (Simmons) won't buy any other pictures from him other than ones of Spider-Man and he is falling behind in his studies. Worst of all he has no time for his best friends Harry Osborn (Franco) or Mary Jane (Dunst), which makes him wonder if it is all worth it. Meanwhile brilliant scientist Dr. Otto Octavius's (Molina) latest experiment goes horribly wrong, resulting in four mechanical arms been grafted to back. The disaster turns him slightly mad and he starts to run amok in New York. Only Spider-Man can stop him but he is nowhere to be seen.

It is a very rare event in motion picture history when a sequel is better than the original. Prepare to witness such an event, as Spider-Man 2 is one of those rarities.

The first film was a great comic book movie in its own right but the sequel sets new standards for the genre. After the mammoth global success of the original, director Sam Raimi and his crew were basically given a blank cheque by the studio to create a follow-up that will blow the first one out of the water and boy have they done that very thing. The film builds skyscrapers on those solid foundations and the true essence of Stan Lee's creation swings amazingly between them. The special effects have improved ten fold, the actors have grown into their characters and, most importantly, the film has an outstanding storyline.

While this might be a summer blockbuster filled with jaw dropping action sequences, Spider-Man 2 is very different from the throngs of event movies that have gone before it because between the edge of the seat roller coaster rides, there is character and plot development that really moves the franchise along. "With great power comes great responsibility" again are the words that echo through the movie but the sequel shows you the consequences of Peter's gift. He might be saving people's lives everyday and doing a lot of good for the city but his personal life is none existent. It shows that even heroes are flawed and can succumb to the same emotions as everyone else. This is the power of the Spider-Man mythos, as Peter Parker is the everyman, he is one of us and he shows what would happen to anyone if they were given this gift.

The fantastic script is brought to life by some brilliant performances. Tobey Maguire was the only real choice to play the role and he proves that fact in the sequel. He is a fine actor who brings a believability to the part that you would have gotten from many of the other pretty boy actors that were mentioned when the first film was casting. This time around the actor gets the chance to play with Peter's inner demons. This is a character that is riddled with self-doubt, fear and guilt, making him all the more human in his frailties. He wasn't born with these abilities, he isn't a millionaire playboy with unlimited funds to pursue a crusade for vengeance, he is a normal College student trying to do what is right and make amends for his past mistakes and Tobey Maguire and the outstanding script capture this superbly.

Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane Watson also gets the chance to grow in the sequel. She isn't just the screaming piece of eye candy that the hero has to rescue all the time anyone but a character that is trying to move on with her life, even though she has the niggling feeling that Peter is distancing himself on purpose. The actress really sinks her teeth into the role and manages to create some real chemistry between Tobey Maguire and herself.

James Franco has a lot more to do as Harry Osborn this time round. The character's obsession with Spider-Man is tipped over the edge when a business venture fails and everyone around him seems to be letting him down. Franco really gets to grips with the part as the writers have given the character a lot more depth as he struggles with his inner demons.

A superhero movie would be nothing without maniacal villain and in Doc Ock we have one of the best from the Spider-Man universe. Alfred Molina is exceptional as the tentacled madman. He really captures the essence of the character that is consumed by evil as one tiny miscalculation takes away everything he holds dear. Molina makes role truly menacing when it could have so easily been over the top and fallen into pantomime territory.

Add to this amazing support by Rosemary Harris as Aunt May and a scene stealing J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson and you have an ensemble cast that excels throughout.

Spider-Man 2 is one of the best sequels ever made. While it does have a few, tiny flaws, not enough Doc Ock and far too many people discover Peter's secret, this is how a big budget movie should made, by people who have a passion for the material. This is a continuation of a story that allows the burgeoning franchise to grow and even sets up a few plotlines for the future instalments when Spider-Man next swings onto the silver screen.

With great power comes great responsibility. Sam Raimi and his cast and crew have taken this to heart and everyone else in the business should follow their example.

Star Rating = * * * * *

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in 2.40:1 Anamorphic Widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, this is an extremely good transfer. The sharpness of the picture really brings the world of Spider-Man to life with the digital effects looking outstanding throughout. The sound is also first rate, with strong, clear dialogue and effects that fill every speaker in the action sequences.

BONUS FEATURES

Disc 1

Cast and Crew Commentary

Director Sam Raimi, producer Avi Arad, co-producer Grant Curtis and star Tobey Maguire come together to bring you a very chatty, fun and informative track for Spider-Man 2. Recorded the day after the film's US release, the group are very optimistic about how the movie is going to do. The commentary reveals much about the development of the plot and the characters, revealing how they wanted to emphasise Peter's plight and how the original script included more villains and another love interest for Peter (a girl who also had a secret superhero identity). This is a very good commentary track from four people who feel very passionate about their movie and are proud about how it has turned out.

Technical Commentary

Animatronics supervisor Steve Johnston and lead puppeteer Eric Hayden talk you through the practical visual effects elements of Spider-Man 2. This chatty and very informative commentary reveals the development of Doc Ock's tentacles from their initial design to prototypes and then onto final design. The track offers a fascinating insight into how a major special effect was created and reveals the dedication of the people behind the scenes.

Spidey-Sense 2

As you watch the movie, fascinating factoids and trivia text subtitles will appear on screen

Web-i-sodes

Costume Design (1.25 mins)

Director Sam Raimi, costume designer James Acheson and assistant costume designer Paul Spadone reveal the chances to Spider-Man's costume they made from the first movie.

Comic Con Q&A (2.27 mins)

Producer Avi Arad, visual effects supervisor John Dykstra and star Alfred Molina talk about bring Doc Ock to the big screen at the 2003 Comic Con event.

J. Johan Jameson (1.50 mins)

Director Sam Raimi, Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee, producer Laura Ziskin, producer Avi Arad and star J.K. Simmons talk about bringing the Daily Bugle editor to the silver screen.

Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson (2.38 mins)

Director Sam Raimi, producer Laura Ziskin, producer Avi Arad and stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst talk about Peter and M J's relationship

Music Video: 'Ordinary' by Train (3.45 mins)

Watch the promotion music video by rock band Train

Trailers

Watch the Spider-Man 2 theatrical trailer and previews of Hellboy, Seinfeld, Christmas with the Kranks, Steamboy and Astroboy.

Disc 2

Making the Amazing (2hrs 17.46 mins)

Director Sam Raimi, Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee, producer Laura Ziskin, producer Avi Arad, co-producer Grant Curtis, production designer Neil Spisak, costume designer James Acheson, assistant costume designer Paul Spadone, editor Bob Murawski, visual effects supervisor John Dykstra, animatronics supervisor Steve Johnston, lead puppeteer Eric Hayden, composer Danny Elfman and stars Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Alfred Molina, Rosemary Harris, James Franco, Bruce Campbell, J.K. Simmons and Ted Raimi are joined by the technical staff of Spider-Man 2 to take you through every aspect of the film's production. Split into twelve parts, this is a comprehensive documentary that offers a fascinating insight into how a huge budget, Hollywood blockbuster is brought to the silver screen.

Featurettes

Hero in Crisis (14.50 mins)

Director Sam Raimi, Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee, producer Laura Ziskin, producer Avi Arad, co-producer Grant Curtis, Spider-Man comic writers Jeph Loeb and J. Michael Straczynski, Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada, artist John Romita and stars Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and Rosemary Harris talk about Peter Parker at breaking point and how it is affecting every aspect of his life, to the point that he says "I'm Spider-Man no more".

Ock-umentary: Eight Arms to hold you (22.11 mins)

Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee, producer Laura Ziskin, producer Avi Arad, co-producer Grant Curtis, Spider-Man comic writers Jeph Loeb and J. Michael Straczynski, Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada, artist John Romita, production designer Neil Spisak, costume designer James Acheson, visual effects supervisor John Dykstra, animatronics supervisor Steve Johnston, lead puppeteer Eric Hayden, art designer Jeff Knipp and star Alfred Molina talk about the development of Dr. Otto Octavius, super villain Doc Ock.

Interwoven: The Women of Spider-Man (15.27 mins)

Director Sam Raimi, Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee, producer Laura Ziskin, producer Avi Arad, co-producer Grant Curtis, Spider-Man comic writers Jeph Loeb and J. Michael Straczynski, Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada, artist John Romita and stars Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Elizabeth Banks, Mageina Tovah and Rosemary Harris talk about the women in Spider-Man's life, Mary Jane Watson, Gwen Stacy, Betty Grant, Ursula and Aunt May.

Enter the Web (14.17 mins)

You chance to watch behind the scenes footage from the action packed final from four different angles, which you can select via your DVD player's remote control.

Gallery

View the fabulous painting by Alex Ross, which where designed for the opening credits.

Interactive

Activision's Spider-Man 2: The Game 2004 E3 Trailer (2.13 mins)

See the trailer for the spin off computer game of the movie

Activision's Spider-Man 2: Spinning the Game (3.37 mins)

Creative director Yoshitomo Moriwaki takes you behind the scenes of Treyarch Studios as they are working on the Spider-Man 2 game.

DVD ROM

Insert disc 2 into your PC's DVD drive and gain access to Press reviews, content for your mobile phone, web of words online game and a Countdown to Spider-Man 3.

OVERALL

Columbia/Tri-Star have done an exceptional job bringing Spider-Man 2 to DVD. Everything is first rate. The commentary tracks are excellent, the documentaries cover every aspect of the film's production and the film itself is presented brilliantly. This is has must buy written all over it and is a fine example of how a DVD should be produced. A first class DVD treatment for a five star movie.

DVD Star Rating = * * * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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