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Movies / On DVD / Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2

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Spider-Man 2 (2004)

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Reviews Counted:231

Fresh:216

Rotten:15

Average Rating:8.3/10

Consensus: A nimble sequel that improves upon the original.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for stylized action violence

Runtime: 2 hrs 7 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Theatrical Release:15-07-2004

Synopsis: Columbia Pictures' Spider-Man 2, the next installment in the adventure series that began with the 2002 blockbuster Spider-Man, swings into theaters on July 2, 2004. Spider-Man, a Marvel... Columbia Pictures' Spider-Man 2, the next installment in the adventure series that began with the 2002 blockbuster Spider-Man, swings into theaters on July 2, 2004. Spider-Man, a Marvel Enterprises/Laura Ziskin Production, grossed more than $820 million worldwide and became the fifth highest grossing movie in U.S. history. Spider-Man is based on the classic Marvel Comic book character. Spider-Man 2 reunites the filmmakers and cast from the first film, including Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Rosemary Harris and J.K. Simmons, along with director Sam Raimi, and producers Laura Ziskin and Marvel's Avi Arad. Stan Lee and Joseph M. Caracciolo serve as executive producers for Spider-Man 2, and Grant Curtis serves as the film's co-producer. Sam Raimi directs Spider-Man 2 from a screenplay by Alvin Sargent and Alfred Gough & Miles Millar and Michael Chabon, based on a story by David Koepp and Alfred Gough & Miles Millar. In Spider-Man 2, the webslinging superhero encounters a new nemesis, the villainous "Doc Ock," who will be portrayed by Alfred Molina (Frida, Identity). Two years have passed, and the mild-mannered Peter Parker faces new challenges as he struggles with "the gift and the curse," desperately trying to balance his dual identities as the web-slinging superhero Spider-Man and his life as a college student. Tormented by his secrets, Peter finds that his relationships with all those he holds dear are in danger of unraveling. His life-long yearning for M.J. (Kirsten Dunst) becomes even stronger as he fights the impulse to reveal his secret life and declare his love. His friendship with Harry Osborn (James Franco) is complicated by the young Osborn's bitterness over his father's death and his growing vendetta against Spider-Man. Even Peter's beloved Aunt May (Rosemary Harris), who has fallen on hard times after the death of Uncle Ben, begins to have doubts about her nephew. Peter's life is about to become even more complicated as he encounters a formidable new foe -- Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina). Peter must use all the powers at his disposal to try to stop this diabolical madman in his octagonal tracks. Director Sam Raimi and producers Laura Ziskin and Avi Arad lead a top creative team which includes Director of Photography Bill Pope, ASC (the Matrix film series), Production Designer Neil Spisak (Spider-Man, The Gift), editor Bob Murawski, (Spider-Man, The Gift), Visual Effects Supervisor John Dykstra, ASC (Spider-Man, Academy Award winner for Star Wars) and Special Effects Supervisor John Frazier (Spider-Man, The Perfect Storm). The Executive Producers are Stan Lee and Joseph M. Caracciolo. "ACADEMY AWARD" and "OSCAR" are the registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. [More]

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Alfred Molina, James Franco

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Alfred Molina, James Franco, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons

Director: Sam Raimi

Director: Sam Raimi
Screenwriter: Alvin Sargent
Story: Michael Chabon
Producer: Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad
Composer: Danny Elfman
Studio: Columbia Pictures

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Reviews for Spider-Man 2

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201 - 220 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

He could be any of us, exposed, overcoming our fears and coming to grips with our destiny. He reminds us of why we were ever excited by superheroes in the first place.

Full Review Source: Zertinet Movies | comment Comment
06/28/04
Steven Snyder
Steven Snyder
Zertinet Movies

Raimi did a terrific job in both films of never forgetting the audience needs to connect with the flesh and blood actors.

Full Review Source: About.com | comment Comment
06/28/04
Rebecca Murray
Rebecca Murray
About.com

While the first film was good, this one has the kind of storytelling that got me reading the comics decades ago.

Full Review Source: Beaumont Journal | comment Comment
06/28/04
Danny Minton
Danny Minton
Beaumont Journal

Has something for everyone.

Full Review Source: USA Today | comment Comment
06/28/04
Mike Clark
Mike Clark
USA Today

Spider-Man 2 is spectacular, mostly because it's more 'Man' than 'Spider.'

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
06/28/04
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

Spider-Man 2, while it sometimes lapses into dirgelike dullness, still manages the impressive feat of bestowing a human face on a story that could easily feel like a cartoon.

Full Review Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel | comment Comment
06/28/04
Phoebe Flowers
Phoebe Flowers
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

This is the movie summer's most touching young romance.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
06/28/04
William Arnold
William Arnold
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

[The first big fight scene] looks so realistic that it's hard to believe the whole thing was shot in a computer.

Full Review Source: San Jose Mercury News | comment Comment
06/28/04
Bruce Newman
Bruce Newman
San Jose Mercury News

Doc Ock grabs this film with his quartet of sinisterly serpentine mechanical arms and refuses to let go.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
06/28/04
Kenneth Turan
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Until it develops a bad case of verbosity toward the end, it improves upon its predecessor in almost every way, delivering flashier thrills while digging deeper into its characters and adding an overlay of wit.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
06/28/04
Mark Caro
Mark Caro
Chicago Tribune

Spider-Man was good bubble gum, but this movie is a Willie Wonka Everlasting Gobstopper!

Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
06/28/04
Rob Blackwelder
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire

A big Hollywood machine that's unexpectedly full of wit and -- dare we say it? -- intelligence.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
06/28/04
Richard Schickel
Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A worthy sequel to the 2002 blockbuster, Spider-Man 2 will deposit fans somewhere on the satisfaction spectrum between quietly pleased and overjoyed.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
06/28/04
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

Spider- Man 2 is that rare thing, a thoroughly successful sequel.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
06/28/04
John Anderson
John Anderson
Newsday

Spider-Man 2 is full of bright colors, emphatic noises and elaborate special effects. That much is to be expected. But its distinguishing features, I'm happy to report, are strong characters and honest feelings.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
06/28/04
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The sequel bests the original for the third time this summer as Spider-man 2 leaves your jaw touching the floor for the entire geek-gasmic blast

Full Review Source: Peterborough This Week | comment Comment
06/28/04
Mike Sage
Mike Sage
Peterborough This Week

A rare summer megamovie with both a brain and a soul... [plus] enough visual fireworks to satisfy even the most discriminating action fan... easily surpasses the original...

Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette | comment Comment
06/28/04
James Sanford
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette

Nothing in the original prepared me for the energy, wit, and daring of this sequel… the wildest, most joyous, flat-out comic-bookiest comic-book movie ever.

Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide | comment Comment
06/28/04
Steven D. Greydanus
Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films Guide

Everyone involved created a masterpiece of comic book film that’s better on every level than its predecessor...this is the summer movie you’ve been waiting for all year.

Full Review Source: Gazette (MD) | comment Comment
06/28/04
Jeffrey Lyles
Jeffrey Lyles
Gazette (MD)

Spins a web of action, comedy and romance that tops the original.

Full Review Source: jackiekcooper.com | comment 1 Comment
06/27/04
Jackie K. Cooper
Jackie K. Cooper
jackiekcooper.com
 
 
201 - 220 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 >> >|
all

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