Critic Reviews
Spider-Man 2 (2004) Rank 3 Reviews
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Appreciating Great Trash
The material may have overwhelmed him in the soggy Spider-Man, but director Sam Raimi is back and has a tight grip on Spider-Man 2, easily the best of the recent outpouring of comic-book movies. The film takes itself every bit as seriously as the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Appreciating Great Trash
Moviecentre.net - reviews
This is the most honest and entertaining comic book film ever made. Tim Burton's Batman (1989) has finally been topped... ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Moviecentre.net - reviews
The Horror Review (Horror Bob)
Probably the best, most well developed Super hero film ever made. Spider-man 2 has all the greatness that every superhero film should have and then some. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The Horror Review (Horror Bob)
Bangin' Banana (Kristin Olson)
This film is very emotional; much more so than the first one, and that’s one of the main things I like about this Spidey 2. There’s so much turmoil in everyone’s life, and it’s interesting to see all of the characters interacting and allowing ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Bangin' Banana (Kristin Olson)
San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)
Instead of coasting on the formula that made the first "Spider-Man" an enormous international hit, the talented people behind "Spider-Man 2" have refreshed it. This second installment of the series is at once deeper and funnier than the original, with a ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)
The DVD Report (Britt Gillette)
The summer blockbuster of 2004, Spider-Man 2 follows in the footsteps of its prequel with more thrilling action and enthralling special effects. Directed by Sam Raimi and based on the Stan Lee comic, the film follows the exploits of teenager (Peter ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The DVD Report (Britt Gillette)
JoBlo's Movie Emporium ("JoBlo")
fun adventure filled with all of our friends from the first installment, a little grown up, still confused about their lives and trying to deal with the consequences of one Peter Parker lacing it up as Spider-Pants, while a new baddie by the name of Doc ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at JoBlo's Movie Emporium ("JoBlo")
Choking on Popcorn (Arjan Welles)
The biggest success, commercial-wise, of 2002 was beyond any doubt Spider-Man and even before this movie had had its première, director Sam Raimi and most of the cast signed up for the sequel. The casting of Tobey Maguire for the title-role was ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Choking on Popcorn (Arjan Welles)
Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Spider-Man 2 is a bit of an oddity for an action-packed superhero summer blockbuster. Perhaps no other in the genre has ever bothered devoting so much effort into character development, which is quite the gamble when you have a sure thing sequel that ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
stylusmagazine.com (Rob Lott)
Yes, okay, we are all aware of the constant battle to protect good from evil. How exhausting that unrelenting pressure must be: to take up arms against a seemingly endless freak show of demented villains forever bent on destroying both you and the earth, ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at stylusmagazine.com (Rob Lott)
DVDActive (Matt Joseph)
Spider-Man 2 picks up the first film's story a couple of years later and things haven't been going Peter Parker's (Tobey Maguire) way as of late. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at DVDActive (Matt Joseph)
That Cow (Andrew Bradford)
I have been avoiding this review. I saw the movie a week and a half ago, enjoyed it in fact, and simply refused to write a word.
It must be these lingering concerns. I had some reservations after seeing the first one as well. There it had more to do ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at That Cow (Andrew Bradford)
Dark Horizons (Garth Franklin)
In a summer where sequels are surprisingly proving to be not just the best of the season but the best of the year (ie. "Shrek 2", "Harry Potter 3"), "Spider-Man 2" manages to continue the trend by delivering one of the film highlights of the season. Yet ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Dark Horizons (Garth Franklin)
Jigsaw Lounge (Neil Young)
Yes, this isn't the first time that British moviegoers have seen a Spider-Man sequel - though largely forgotten about these days, back in the late seventies three films were cheaply assembled from the American TV show and released in UK cinemas to cash ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Jigsaw Lounge (Neil Young)
Lobo Howls (Judith Wolfe)
What gives this film that extra something that is usually lost in a sequel is the on-screen charm of Tobey Maguire, the talented supporting cast, the special effects, the soundtrack and the script. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Lobo Howls (Judith Wolfe)
SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review
Peter Parker is working as a pizza delivery boy and a photographer for The Daily Bugle, as well studying as a full-time student. He is feeling stressed, struggling to pay the rent and make deadlines. Meanwhile Mary Jane Watson is having success as a ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review
Georgia Straight (Ken Eisner)
How much weight can a comic-strip movie bear? Well, how much stress can a superhero handle? Both questions are answered, and in surprising depth, during the lengthy course of Spider-Man 2, the rare sequel that is better than its predecessor--and more ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Georgia Straight (Ken Eisner)
hoopla.nu
Wow! This is so superior to the first installment, it makes you wish more sequels could be so wonderful. From the opening credits until the close, this movie held me enthralled. It is a remarkable achievement, and an absolute blessing in this age of the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at hoopla.nu
Kidzworld
Marvel Comics' greatest heroes and villains explode back into theaters with Spider-Man 2. This hot new movie brings Spidey back and introduces the villainous Dr. Octopus. If you're a comic book fan then watching your fave super heroes and villains come ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Kidzworld
Empire (Dan Jolin)
This summer's most satisfying, spectacle-packed movie. Like its predecessor, it offers a strong story rather than a feeble excuse to connect set-pieces. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Empire (Dan Jolin)
Des Moines Register (Jeffrey Bruner)
From great powers come itchy costumes, bad wall-climbing days and bill collectors. Who knew? ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Des Moines Register (Jeffrey Bruner)
Las Vegas Mercury (Anthony Del Valle)
Raimi reminds us you can still make highly commercial films and keep your self-respect. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Las Vegas Mercury (Anthony Del Valle)
Jam! Movies (Louis B. Hobson)
Rip-roaring good escapist fun. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Jam! Movies (Louis B. Hobson)
Worcester Telegram & Gazette (Daniel M. Kimmel)
Spider-Man 2 is a fun, engaging film that makes you care about its characters even as they go through their preposterous comic book adventures. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Worcester Telegram & Gazette (Daniel M. Kimmel)
Cinema Signals (Jules Brenner)
Abundant action scenes that exhilarate the spatial senses and kept the CGI team harnessed to their workstations. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Cinema Signals (Jules Brenner)
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
It's possible to forgive the things about it that fall short. And if you don't expect the film to be a work of high art such forgiveness should actually come easy. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
Las Vegas Weekly (Josh Bell)
As a summer blockbuster, Spider-Man 2 is unassailable, the most you could possibly ask for from a film of its type. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Las Vegas Weekly (Josh Bell)
La Presse, Montréal (--)
Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
As played by Alfred Molina with both computer-generated and puppeteer assistance, Doc Ock grabs this film with his quartet of sinisterly serpentine mechanical arms and refuses to let go. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
TV Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
The rare sequel that actually improves on the original, this robust entertainment's intelligence and emotional impact belie conventional wisdom that summer movie spectaculars are by nature brainless nonsense and only a stupid snob would complain about ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at TV Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
Film Threat (Pete Vonder Haar)
It’s easily the best movie of the summer so far. Sony has obviously given Raimi more freedom to run the show, and the results are very entertaining. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Film Threat (Pete Vonder Haar)
LA Weekly (Ella Taylor)
Whatever else might be said of the first Spider-Man, it was a thrill and a half to see a generation of kids and teenagers reared on antiheroes and grinning irony show up in their millions for a quaintly old-fashioned tale of public service, chaste love ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at LA Weekly (Ella Taylor)
Jam! Movies (Bruce Kirkland)
The web is slung: With great gusto comes a great sequel. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Jam! Movies (Bruce Kirkland)
Freeze Dried Movies (Brian Juergens)
Raimi has turned in a very different Spidey than might be expected. I'm not talking 'nipples on Batman' or anything; the shift is from origin story to mid-hero-crisis story. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Freeze Dried Movies (Brian Juergens)
eFilmCritic.com (Brian Mckay)
While it didn't leave me with the same sense of awe, it left me much more satisfied than not, and that's good enough ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Brian Mckay)
Sun Newspapers of Cleveland (Gerry Shamray)
TV Guide's Movie Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
The rare sequel that actually improves on the original. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
Feo Amante (Kelly Parks)
But Doc Ock himself is just an ordinary human being, not a superhuman. That means a single Spiderman punch should have been the end of him. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Feo Amante (Kelly Parks)
Arizona Republic (Bill Muller)
As visually stunning and loyal to character development as the first film. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Arizona Republic (Bill Muller)
New York Times (A.O. Scott)
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. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at New York Times (A.O. Scott)
Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
Doc Ock grabs this film with his quartet of sinisterly serpentine mechanical arms and refuses to let go. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
Jam! Movies (Steve Tilley)
The return of Spidey marks what could end up being the best action film of the summer, and quite possibly the best superhero movie ever made. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Jam! Movies (Steve Tilley)
Orlando Weekly (Steve Schneider)
Playing like one of the conflict-surfeited Marvel comics of the late 1960s, the sequel has plenty of daytime drama for Raimi to wring his fanboy hands over. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Orlando Weekly (Steve Schneider)
eFilmCritic.com (Scott Weinberg)
Spider-Man 2 deserves every nickel its bound to make. It's what happens when filmmakers focus on "let's make a good movie" instead of "let's make a sequel". ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Scott Weinberg)
Film Values/Family Values (H. Arthur Taussig)
ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
filmcritic.com
What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than by spending a good two hours with America’s favorite super hero, Spider-Man?
...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at filmcritic.com
UTK Daily Beacon (Hilary Trenda)
Empire Movies (Brendan Cullin)
In Spider-Man 2, our friendly neighbourhood webslinger returns, this time to battle two villains - Doc Ock (played by Alfred Molina) and the inner demons that are forcing Peter Parker to question the strain that being a superhero in New York City is ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Empire Movies (Brendan Cullin)
The Gate.ca (W. Andrew Powell)
"Amazingly, Spider-Man 2 is the mind boggling film I was hoping for, but never thought Raimi could pull off. It's the perfect culmination to his years of filmmaking and it's hard to ever imagine that even he could top ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The Gate.ca (W. Andrew Powell)
BeyondHollywood.com
"Spider-Man 2" returns the entire (surviving) cast from, with Maguire once again donning the mask, Kirsten Dunst ("Bring it On") as aspiring (and now successful) actress Mary Jane, James Franco as revenge-minded Harry Osborn, and Rosemary Harris as the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at BeyondHollywood.com
Wolfpack Productions (Sujit 'Chief' Chawla)
The story picks up two years after the original. Peter/Spider-Man hasn't been seen much since a majority of the people (including the influential editor of the paper) thinks he's more of a menace than hero. His beloved Mary-Jane is dating someone else, ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Wolfpack Productions (Sujit 'Chief' Chawla)
Words From Here
This is the best movie of the summer so far (not including Farenheit 9/11 which isn't summer fare, but an incredibly important movie to watch, none the less). Sam Raimi has come back full circle to having fun with directing, thankfully. I'm looking ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Words From Here
Metaphilm
It's tough being a famous weblogger. Every time something happens, you feel obliged to post an entry. In fact, people expect it. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Metaphilm
DVD Review e-zine
With DVD dominating the market and finally putting the final nails in the coffin of VHS, it seems insane to introduce another format to consumers. With the release of the PSP, we are given the Universal Media Disc (UMD) format, which has grown in ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at DVD Review e-zine
Cinema Blend - DVD Review
Reviews on the Side (Steven Lekowicz)
It was exactly two years ago to the day minus one that I sent out a review of the first Spider-Man. That movie was a great surprise to me, and was so much fun I had to be Taft-Hartleyed into the Fun-Havers Union. (It was expensive, but worth every ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Reviews on the Side (Steven Lekowicz)
DVD Review e-zine
Our friendly neighborhood Spider-man swings back into town and onto DVD with the absolutely fantastic "Spider-man 2." Sam Raimi returns to direct the sequel to the 2002 smash hit. And in one of those rare instances creates a film that surpasses the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at DVD Review e-zine
DVDwolf (Rob Paul)
You want to see a sequel that just takes the original and ups the ante all the way around? A movie that understands that it is a summer super hero flick and mixes camp, action, comedy and as an added bonus the more important than ever message of 'with ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at DVDwolf (Rob Paul)
Frank's Reel Reviews
Everyone knows the phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it.†After seeing Spiderman 2, I decided that the exact opposite of that applies. Spidey’s in desperate need of some serious adjustment. Initial diagnosis: a two hour angst-fest ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Frank's Reel Reviews
Film Monthly (Gary Schultz)
Spider-Man 2 is probably this summer's most anticipated blockbuster and for this reviewers buck Spider-Man 2 simply RULES!! This is probably the most pure comic book movie ever made and hopefully will finally solidify the great talents of director Sam ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Film Monthly (Gary Schultz)
Home Theater Info (Doug MacLean)
In those years before I hit my teens I collected comic books, a typical hobby for that age group and gender. Discounting the ‘girl’ comics like Archie and the like there were two major forces in comic lore then, DC and Marvel. While DC had the heavy ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Home Theater Info (Doug MacLean)
dvdfuture.com (R. L. Shaffer)
The critics really loved Spider-Man 2. They adored it even. I see ads virtually every day in Variety--ads hoping to sway Academy voters to nominate Spider-Man 2 for an Oscar. Spider-Man 2, it seems, is on top of the world. A comic book movie with real ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at dvdfuture.com (R. L. Shaffer)
Hollywood Jesus Review
Columbia Pictures’ Spider-Man 2 is the highly-anticipated latest installment in the adventures of the legendary superhero, an exciting and fun-filled adventure, which reunites the cast and filmmakers from the blockbuster first film, including Tobey ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Hollywood Jesus Review
JackassCritics.com (Grim Ringler)
Reading through some of the reviews of the latest Spiderpants movie you see the phrase – best comic book movie ever – a phrase we will probably hear until the next Spiderman movie or the next big comic adaptation. Having just seen the film though, I ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at JackassCritics.com (Grim Ringler)
Greenwich Village Gazette (Eric Lurio)
DVD-Dweeb.Com (Oliver Korioth)
Peter Parker is beset with numerous personal problems while Spider-Man confronts the brilliant Dr. Otto Octavius, who has been transformed into "Doctor Octopus" (aka, "Doc Ock"), a multi-tentacled menace.
Few sequels ever actually live up to the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at DVD-Dweeb.Com (Oliver Korioth)
Box Office Mojo (Scott Holleran)
Readers B+ (4497 votes) Nominated for 3 Oscars, including 1 win. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Box Office Mojo (Scott Holleran)
Bangin' Banana (Tim Bentley)
I'm a fan of every type of filmmaking. I love independent films, I love main stream cinema, sci-fi blockbusters, small character dramas, slap stick comedies, blaxploitation, film noir, tragedies, 2d animation, 3d animation, horror films, action films, ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Bangin' Banana (Tim Bentley)
Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)
An entertaining warm-weather spectacle. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)
Arrow in the Head ("The Arrow")
Spidey’s back to, once again, swing giggles, drama and exhilaration into our lives! Who’s not happy? Having loved the first "Spider-Man" flick to “Reese’s Pieces Buttercupsâ€, I came into this sequel gung-ho and ready to have a good time! I’m ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Arrow in the Head ("The Arrow")
Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
The sequel brings back all the main characters from the first film, even the dead ones. The dead ones appear as ghosts, like Hamlet's father in the play, shadowy portents and all. Peter Parker (AKA Spider-Man, played by Tobey Maguire) sees a vision of ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
Philadelphia Inquirer (Carrie Rickey)
I also like that when Our Hero starts swinging from skyscrapers, he's not just emulating Tarzan, but is working out the Newtonian physics of action and reaction. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Carrie Rickey)
Jerry Saravia
"Spider-Man 2" is as close to the spirit of the comic-books than the original. It has all the trials and tribulations that Peter Parker endured while being the crime-fighting, wall-crawling hero, Spider-Man. Let's face it: working two part-time jobs, ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Jerry Saravia
ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Although Sam Raimi's direction is generally solid (and, in some scenes, flawless), the film's middle act has instances when it seems repetitive and exposition-heavy. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
David N. Butterworth
Poor Peter Parker.
Fired from his day job as a pizza delivery boy and in danger of losing
his staff photographer gig at the "Daily Bugle" (for snapping touchy-feely vs.
hard hitting front page photos), Peter could sure use a break. But he's ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at David N. Butterworth
Movie Parables (Michael Elliott)
A wonderful blend of comic book action, big screen romance, and iconic storytelling. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Movie Parables (Michael Elliott)
Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Spider-Man 2 is all you can ask for in summer fun. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Boston Globe (Wesley Morris)
Raimi seems more comfortable being his outlandishly jokey, B-movie self, letting entire sequences play on the line between carefree schlock and Hollywood blockbusting. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Boston Globe (Wesley Morris)
Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
Some ill-advised decisions don't come close to overshadowing the overall sense that we're watching a film franchise grow up before our eyes. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
Kansas City Star (Robert W. Butler)
What's disarming about this sequel is the psychological depth director Sam Raimi and his team have brought to the franchise. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Kansas City Star (Robert W. Butler)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Duane Dudek)
Smart, funny and surprisingly heartfelt. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Duane Dudek)
Globe and Mail (Rick Groen)
This Spidey ain't heavy, this Spidey ain't light -- this Spidey weighs in just right. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Globe and Mail (Rick Groen)
Oscar Guy (Wesley Lovell)
Maguire has limited moments of acting inspiration while Dunst wanders aimlessly through a role that may be too normal for her. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Oscar Guy (Wesley Lovell)
Reno Gazette-Journal (Forrest Hartman)
An apt yet unoriginal sequel. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Reno Gazette-Journal (Forrest Hartman)
Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)
...full-bodied summer fluff. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)
Chicago Reader (Julien Lapointe)
Raimi is good with the details. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Chicago Reader (Julien Lapointe)
Hollywood.com (Kit Bowen)
Spidey and gang are back in Spider-Man 2 --perhaps in need of some therapy--but ultimately bigger and better than ever. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Hollywood.com (Kit Bowen)
Kvikmyndir.com (--)
Salt Lake Tribune (Sean Means)
Sam Raimi upgrades the action and raises the emotional stakes for the Marvel Comics wall-crawler to create an epic summer movie. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Salt Lake Tribune (Sean Means)
Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas) (Jonathan R. Perry)
Not a perfect film or an indelible moment in American cinema ... just one enormously entertaining night at the movies. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas) (Jonathan R. Perry)
Lights Out Films - Film Review
Lucky for the film viewing public, this second installment of the Spider-Man franchise takes everything right with the first movie and improves upon it. The first Spider-Man was a great movie - a competent and exciting film, deftly directed and finely ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Lights Out Films - Film Review
New York Daily News (Jami Bernard)
Spider-Man 2 is a perfect blend of summer action, a big movie with a deeply personal story. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at New York Daily News (Jami Bernard)
San Jose Mercury News (Bruce Newman)
[The first big fight scene] looks so realistic that it's hard to believe the whole thing was shot in a computer. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at San Jose Mercury News (Bruce Newman)
Boston Globe (Wesley Morris)
This sequel is a more complete, not to mention more complex, experience. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Boston Globe (Wesley Morris)
Fantastica Daily (Mervius)
Spider-Man 2 shows that this could be a wonderfully layered series and not just typical cotton candy summer blockbuster sequel fare. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Fantastica Daily (Mervius)
Moviola (Jorge Avila Andrade)
'Llegó para quedarse y hacernos pasar un gran rato en compañía del más humano de los superhéroes, quien nos recuerda nuestra propia condición humana. Estupenda.' ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Moviola (Jorge Avila Andrade)
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss)
'With great power comes great responsibility' is a lesson the makers of Spider-Man 2 have taken to heart. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss)
Entertainment Spectrum (Vince Koehler)
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is back burning up the big screen with the best super hero movie I have seen so far. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Entertainment Spectrum (Vince Koehler)
ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Spider-Man 2 has all the elements of a good, but not great, superhero motion picture. While lacking the tragic grandeur that made last year's Hulk such a unique experience, Spider-Man 2 fills the void with solid character development, self-referential ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
CNN Showbiz (Paul Clinton)
Two great sequels in one summer. No mean feat, that.
In the new "Spider-Man," two years have passed since Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) walked away from his true love, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), and decided to take the road of responsibility as ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at CNN Showbiz (Paul Clinton)
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Ed Blank)
He's the most conscientious young man in all of New York City, and no one will cut him a break. But then, no one knows he's Spider-Man, either.
"Spider-Man 2," which begins showing at theaters late tonight, accomplishes the unusual feat of improving ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Ed Blank)
Boston Herald (James Verniere)
Voir.ca
La première aventure du super-héros cousu de fil gluant venait à peine de quitter les écrans que CNN annonçait déjà que le conseil municipal de San Francisco, inspiré par les prouesses dudit personnage, désirait désormais pourvoir ses ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Voir.ca
Cinema Signals by The Filmiliar Cineaste
What happens to a superhero when he's seized by self-doubt? In the case of Spidey (Tobey Maguire), our beloved web-crawler-nerd, the psychological affliction turns him into a wussy, inept bumbler when he's Peter Parker and limits his powers when he's ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Cinema Signals by The Filmiliar Cineaste
Killer Movie Reviews (Andrea Chase)
I so want to like SPIDERMAN 2 with the unreserved satisfaction that I found with the original. Here is a franchise that is unafraid to tackle serious, real-life issues such as the stickiness of human interaction and dwindling bank accounts, while still ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Killer Movie Reviews (Andrea Chase)
Bucket Reviews (Danny Baldwin)
There’s a hero in all of us, Peter.â€
In 2002, the young Peter Parker rose to the occasion with Spider-Man, which grossed over 400 million dollars, domestically. That picture was cheesy and corny, but more than anything else, fun. I enjoyed it ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Bucket Reviews (Danny Baldwin)
filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)
What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than by spending a good two hours with America's favorite super hero, Spider-Man?
...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)
Friday & Saturday Review
“Spider-Man 2†has that rambling awkwardness of an action movie that spends a lot of time on character development and people’s feelings but doesn’t quite know how. Part of me admires the movie for trying and part of me wants to say leave the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Friday & Saturday Review
Reeling Reviews (Robin and Laura Clifford)
The web-swinging super hero is back but his alter ego, Peter Parker, is not in the best of shape, financially or, more important, emotionally. He is consumed by his guilt for causing his beloved Uncle Ben’s (Cliff Robertson) death then covering up the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Reeling Reviews (Robin and Laura Clifford)
Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
So "Spider-Man 2" is a silly comic book movie with provocative psychological overtones. Or a provocative character study with silly comic book overtones. Take your pick. Either way, it's hardly the cinematic milestone it's widely hailed as being. There's ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
Cinema in Focus (Denny Wayman and Hal Conklin)
It is refreshing in this postmodern world to find a film that encourages us to be willing to sacrifice our self-interest for the well-being of others. It is also helpful for the same film to show the struggle such a decision creates. Taking the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Cinema in Focus (Denny Wayman and Hal Conklin)
DVD Talk (Holly E. Ordway)
Die-hard comic-book fans no doubt have plenty to discuss when talking about the merits of Spider-Man 2, but for viewers who aren't intimately familiar with the Marvel universe, how does the film stack up? Quite well, and in fact I'd say better than the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at DVD Talk (Holly E. Ordway)
Latino Review
Spiderman 2 is the best comic book adaptation to hit the silver screen in over twenty-years. Not since the release of Superman 2, which it is thematically identical to, has a film of this caliber been released. It is astonishingly good and surpasses the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Latino Review
hip online
If you saw the first Spider-man then you know how good the design of the sets and animation were—Spider-man 2 cranks it up a notch. The second edition sticks close to the Stan Lee creation and blows the first out of the water. The biggest difference is ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at hip online
Reviewguy Online (Sean Chandler)
Very seldom, does a sequel stand up to the original and surpass it. The very first Spiderman was one of the finest transfers from comic to screen that I had ever seen, and I only hoped that the second would not disappoint. I can remember the very first ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Reviewguy Online (Sean Chandler)
Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Spider-Man 2 is a bit of an oddity for an action-packed superhero summer blockbuster. Perhaps no other in the genre has ever bothered devoting so much effort into character development, which is quite the gamble when you have a sure thing sequel that ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Tiscali UK
Two years after the fun-packed Spider-Man broke box-office records comes the much-anticipated sequel. Here though, instead of having to face the evil Green Goblin, our superhero's biggest enemy is self-doubt. Okay, so there's the not insignificant threat ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Tiscali UK
Movie Review Index - Reviews from Top Critics
The Zoocity Chronicle
dvdfuture.com (Randy Spiros)
I'm a Spider-Man comic book fan from way back. I'm talking about the early issues in the days when it definitely wasn't cool to be seen reading comic books. Nowadays there is less of a social stigma to comic books, though not that much less. So when the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at dvdfuture.com (Randy Spiros)
JoBlo's Movie Emporium (JoBlo)
DVD Authority.com (Matt Brighton)
"Spider-Man 2" has the luxury of not only being the most profitable movie of the year (to date), but also one of the most critically acclaimed. Additionally you don't need a spider sense to know that the suits at Coulmbia/Tri-Star must be loving life. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at DVD Authority.com (Matt Brighton)
filethirteen.com
"Spider-Man 2" is a huge hit film and there are thousands of reviews on-line by every film journalist on the planet, so why should I spend too much time writing about it? I wont. Simply put: It's a great popcorn flick that goes a little bit deeper than ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at filethirteen.com
BoxOfficeCritic.com (Elieen Peterman)
This film is everything a summer blockbuster should be, and more. First, it is a sequel and Hollywood loves a sequel because it minimizes the thinking involved. Second, it has bankable actors in the still emerging Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. Third ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at BoxOfficeCritic.com (Elieen Peterman)
Terminus
2002’s Spider-Man was a most unusual comic book film. While there was enough action to turn the film into a massive box office hit (grossing just over $400 million domestically), the movie was far more interested in character development and drama than ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Terminus
Blackfilm.com
If there was ever a sequel that captured the hearts and imaginations of its fans as well as lived up to its massive expectations, it's Spider-Man 2. So many sequels came out last summer and while some of them made tons of money, neither one had the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Blackfilm.com
Almost Fabulous Movie Reviews
Genuinely funny scenes were interspersed with really dorky scenes. And some scenes were alarmingly violent. Even without any actual bloodshed, they scared the crap out of my kids. The effects and the stunts were cool and Ice particularly liked that MJ ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Almost Fabulous Movie Reviews
Maclean's Magazine (Brian D. Johnson)
The Rewind Forums DVD Review
Following the mega success of “Spider-Man†it was a no brainier that a sequel would be in production sooner rather than later, with all the behind-the-scenes crew back for another spin director Sam Raimi was set and ready to go when an unexpected ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The Rewind Forums DVD Review
ninth symphony films
Where Spider-Man 2 differs from its predecessor is in its worthiness to receive such accolades as a gigantic box office. A more engaging film on all fronts, this sequel can boast a much more interesting script, with credited screenwriter Alvin Sargent ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at ninth symphony films
Worldwide DVD Forums - DVD Review
Following the mega success of “Spider-Man†it was a no brainier that a sequel would be in production sooner rather than later, with all the behind-the-scenes crew back for another spin director Sam Raimi was set and ready to go when an unexpected ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Worldwide DVD Forums - DVD Review
The Sci-Fi Movie Page
Spider-Man 2 has that rambling awkwardness of an action movie that spends a lot of time on character development and people’s feelings but doesn’t quite know how. Part of me admires the movie for trying and part of me wants to say leave the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The Sci-Fi Movie Page
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Satisfying sequel which finds the masked web-slinger (Tobey Maguire) struggling to choose between his lifelong love (Kirsten Dunst) and his superpowered destiny, while battling a new menace -- Dr. Octopus (Alfred Molina), a mad genius whose ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Hindu
ALL HEROES must eventually face nemesis. And as it was said in the first part `with great power comes great responsibility' Peter Parker or Spiderman must face his moral dilemmas.
In this Columbia Pictures' sequel, Peter is trying to live a normal ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The Hindu
Movies for Guys
Spider-man 2 is the sequel to 2002's wildly popular Spider-man. The entire gang is back with Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker and Spider-man, Kirsten Dunst as love interest, and Sam Raimi is again the director. And none of them missed a ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Movies for Guys
The Phantom Tollbooth
The first Spider-man movie was credited with helping to renew the popularity of the comic book movie. It became the sixth highest grossing movie of all time in the US. This lead to high expectations for the sequel and with the way that the first movie ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The Phantom Tollbooth
Box Office Prophets (Kim Hollis)
It's extremely rare to find a comic book film that simultaneously thrills while at the same time managing to be extremely human. The original Batman, though at first glance a special effects extravaganza with a good vs. evil storyline, turns out to be a ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Box Office Prophets (Kim Hollis)
The Boston Phoenix
The catch phrase for the first Spider-Man was "With great power comes great responsibility." For the sequel, it’s something along the lines of "You have a choice." I don’t have much power in the matter, but I feel it’s my responsibility to suggest ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The Boston Phoenix
Jesusfreakhideout.com Movie Reviews
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. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Jesusfreakhideout.com Movie Reviews
Gorilla Pants (Melissa Prusi)
wanted to like Spiderman 2 better than the original. Not that I hated Spiderman. Its story was bland and uninspired, but it had terrific action scenes and an offbeat humor so it got a moderate pass from me. This time around I knew that novelist Michael ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Gorilla Pants (Melissa Prusi)
JaxMovies (Sean Conover)
Having never really been a big comic book fan, I never really followed the story of Spider-Man. Sure, I knew of the character from my upbringing watching the “Electric Company†on PBS, but I didn’t know much more than the basics of the story. When ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at JaxMovies (Sean Conover)
CinemaScreen (James Salter)
Exclaim! (Chris Gramlich)
“Watch out, here comes the Spider-Man,†and everyone better watch out, as Spider-Man 2 is set to pick up where the original left off and dominate the competition and box office records. Some are calling SM2 the perfect “comic book†movie, and all ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Exclaim! (Chris Gramlich)
Guess the Gross
Namely, can director Sam Raimi and star Tobey Maguire recapture the same lightning in a bottle that fueled Spider-Man’s domestic gross of $403 million-plus two years ago? For the most part, yes.
I’ll admit, I was not as bowled over by the first ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Guess the Gross
DVD Town (James Plath)
The Theory Of Chaos (Nicholas Thurkettle)
We knew that the filmmakers behind Spiderman were doing something different even in the first movie when everything to do with webslinging and spidey-sense stopped and we were just watching two kids, neighbors in the back yards of their so-so ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The Theory Of Chaos (Nicholas Thurkettle)
Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)
There are stretches through these Spider-Man movies where the costumed antics and explosive mayhem almost become an after thought. You're feeling sorry for poor Peter Parker, who only wants to help others but can never get a break, and he has to keep ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)
Moviehole
With swelling cinema admission prices, audiences are going to be becoming more and more pickier when it comes to forking over the green for a film. It’ll no doubt soon be the case when no one – not even the regular movie-watcher – will be able to ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Moviehole
Juicy Cerebellum (Alex Sandell)
This is the movie comic book geeks and Sam Raimi freaks have been waiting for! It's Army of Darkness with a 100 million dollar budget! It's The Quick and the Dead without Sharon Stone! It's Darkman with metallic tentacles!
Sam Raimi is back so ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Juicy Cerebellum (Alex Sandell)
Filmjudge Review
Spider-Man 2 is a deeper, slightly darker film than the first Spider-man that moves better, has a more frightening villain, and in many ways, a more satisfying romantic sub-plot this should ensure Spidey has a few more films in him.
Sam Raimi adds ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Filmjudge Review
Kinocite
"With great power comes great responsibility" is Spider-Man's motto in his first Hollywood outing. One film later, this mantra remains prominent. It is at the very heart of who Spider-Man is. It is an edgy theme that elevates an enjoyable superhero romp ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Kinocite
The Filmsnobs (James Owen)
The one primary thought racing through my head while watching Spider-Man 2 was: Sam Raimi has Hollywood by the throat and he is going to turn this blockbuster into something totally nuts. And that's what he has done. Raimi, a darling of the underground ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The Filmsnobs (James Owen)
Senses of Cinema (Violeta Kovacsics)
Spiderman was about how Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) became Spiderman. Spiderman 2 focuses on why he continues being a superhero. While the first one was about a common issue in superhero stories – the birth of the hero – the second one starts from ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Senses of Cinema (Violeta Kovacsics)
eFilmCritic (Scott Weinberg)
Let's get right to it: Spider-Man 2 is about a good a time as you can possibly have at a movie during the summertime, period. And that's not to say that it's laden with wall-to-wall action and perpetual explosions. This is a movie that, much like its ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at eFilmCritic (Scott Weinberg)
Reel.com (Kim Morgan)
Sci-Fi Weekly
It's been two years since Peter Parker (Maguire) began his new double life as a college student by day and webslinging superhero by night. And the strain is showing: He's late for work, misses classes and can barely pay the rent.
Aunt May (Rosemary ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Sci-Fi Weekly
Spirituality & Health (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
All heroes must eventually square off with the dragon, and it is best to ride him rather than flee from him or try to push him back into the cave. This is the spiritual task facing Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), a.k.a. Spider-Man, in this sequel to the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Spirituality & Health (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
New York Magazine (Peter Rainer)
The set pieces, such as an unmasked Spider-Man trying to stop a runaway subway car, are furiously scary, and compensate for all the icky mooning and moping that Peter does whenever he's questioning his gift, which is most of the time. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at New York Magazine (Peter Rainer)
Chicago Reader (Jonathan Rosenbaum)
As Dr. Octopus, Alfred Molina makes a more baroque supervillain than Willem Dafoe did as the Green Goblin, but the other stars--seem happy to be giving us more of the same. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Chicago Reader (Jonathan Rosenbaum)
MovieMaze (Markus Ostertag)
MovieFreak.com (Chris T. Bryan)
Sequels reign supreme this summer as Hollywood breathes new life into characters, and rather than rehashing old plots, actually expands on universes that are adored by audiences. First came Shrek 2 with stunning originality and wit, followed by Harry ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at MovieFreak.com (Chris T. Bryan)
Haro Online
The Spider-Man franchise is looking to be one of Marvel's top producers, quality-wise and monetarily. The first grossed astronomical numbers, and the second is sure to do the same if not better because it repeats the elements that made the first one so ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Haro Online
The Film Journal (Rick Curnutte)
When critics invoke Richard Lester's glorious Superman II by way of describing Sam Raimi's aims in Spider-Man 2, the comparison does not flatter the Raimi film. Almost unquestionably Lester's last great movie, Superman II asked the audience to ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The Film Journal (Rick Curnutte)
Wolf Entertainment Guide (William Wolf)
The summer stack of action films doesn’t have to be a junk pile, as evidenced by the smartly done “Spider-Man 2,†a sleek blend of special effects galore and a warm, human touch. In addition to Spider-Man zipping among New York skyscrapers and ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Wolf Entertainment Guide (William Wolf)
Movies 101 (Robert Glatzer)
Superhero films are both the most fun when they work and the most frustrating when they don't. As comic books, their country of origin, they lie on the page like blueprints for all our fantasies; we fill them in with the image of ourselves in costume. I ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Movies 101 (Robert Glatzer)
Shadows on the Wall (Rich Cline)
It's two years later, and Peter Parker (Maguire) is weighed down by the demands of saving New York every day as Spider-man, especially since it keeps him from the woman he loves, Mary Jane (Dunst). Then his buddy Harry (Franco) introduces him to his ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Shadows on the Wall (Rich Cline)
MovieFreak.com (Sara M. Fetters)
He swings through the air with greatest of ease – but he isn’t the man on the flying trapeze. He knows if you’ve been bad or good – but he’s certainly no Santa Clause. And while seemingly leaping tall buildings in single bounds – there ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at MovieFreak.com (Sara M. Fetters)
Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
His late Uncle Ben’s statement, "With great power comes great responsibility," may be the one thought echoing foremost in Spider-Man’s mind, but it’s enormously clear that this sage bit of wisdom has also been taken to heart by director Sam Raimi. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
The (Georgetown) Hoya
Director Sam Raimi blends astounding special effects with snappy dialogue to create an action movie that accomplishes the unthinkable — it doesn't just live up to the original, it surpasses it. Tobey Maguire is back in action as the webbed crusader, ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The (Georgetown) Hoya
BBC Films
Spider-Man was hard to beat but with the long-awaited sequel director Sam Raimi gave us "the finest Marvel adaptation ever committed to celluloid". Tobey Maguire returns as the sticky-fingered superhero, albeit a reluctant one with a serious case of ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at BBC Films
Centerstage Chicago (Joel Wicklund)
Jonathan F. Richards
To be, or not to be.
That is the question consuming Peter Parker, a likeable shmoe who's trying to juggle two jobs, a physics major at Columbia, a love life, and a non-paying sideline as a web-throwing, wall-climbing fighter of crime. And he lives in ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Jonathan F. Richards
PopMatters (Cynthia Fuchs)
As the first few minutes of Sam Raimi's sequel reveal, save for M.J.'s professional success, not much has changed since Spider-Man (in the film's world, two years later). True, the kids have turned into adults, more or less. Peter's moved out of the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at PopMatters (Cynthia Fuchs)
Nick's Flick Picks (Nick Davis)
Spider-Man 2 is beautifully production-designed by Neil Spisak, a veteran of several Michael Mann movies who seems to relish the chance to lavish gleaming cityscapes with details and color. As photographed by Bill Pope, sprung at last from the joyless ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Nick's Flick Picks (Nick Davis)
Planet Confusion
Es mag ein bisschen banal klingen, aber auch für einen Superhelden hat der Tag nur 24 Stunden. Dass das durchaus zu Problemen führen kann, erfährt Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) am laufenden Band. Sein Privatleben ist vollkommen aus den Fugen geraten, ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Planet Confusion
Planet Sick-Boy (Jon Popick)
Nothing I write here is going to sway anyone's decision to see or avoid Spider-Man 2, the eagerly awaited sequel to Sam Raimi's 2002 runaway hit that still ranks as the highest-grossing non-Star Wars/non-Spielberg/non-Titanic film of all time. Instead, ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Planet Sick-Boy (Jon Popick)
FOCUS Online
Der Kampf gegen das Verbrechen ist zeitraubend. Deshalb lässt Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) sein College-Studium schleifen. Und bei seinen beiden Jobs als Pressefotograf und Pizza-Lieferant verspätet er sich permanent. Dabei braucht er dringend Geld, ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at FOCUS Online
DVD MovieGuide
Set about two years after the first movie, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) finds it hard to balance his “normal†life and his web-swinging ways as Spider-Man. He always runs late at his pizza delivery job, and that gets him fired. Peter usually earns ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at DVD MovieGuide
Homer Yen
It's tough being a web-crawling superhero. Other
superheroes have it easier. Batman can fund all
of his Bat-Toys with the millions of dollars that
his alter ego produces as the head of Wayne
Enterprises. Meanwhile, Superman never needs ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Homer Yen
Flak Magazine (Stephen Himes)
The Spider-Man franchise is great pop storytelling: It weaves big themes fluently and believably into an accessible narrative — not so complex that it loses the kids but complex enough to be emotionally involving for adults as well. There's no ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Flak Magazine (Stephen Himes)
Flak Magazine (Stephen Himes)
If you've got $150 million and you want to make a blockbuster fantasy movie, here's what you do: Find a director who started out making crazy shock-horror movies, give him a lot of creative control, let him hire the actors he wants and get the hell out ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Flak Magazine (Stephen Himes)
The Times (James Christopher)
IF GREAT melodramas are priced by their villains, then Spider-Man 2 has tagged the most lucrative cad in film history. His name is Dr Otto Octavius and he is played quite brilliantly by Alfred Molina. He is half-mad scientist and half-metal: he has four ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The Times (James Christopher)
Spiked-online.com (Graham Barnfield)
Spider-Man 2's other great marketing trick is to reinvent a version of an existing character while keeping the original fans on board. There are sufficient regular readers ('fanboys') to support several monthly Spider-Man comics, but not necessarily ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Spiked-online.com (Graham Barnfield)
The BigScreen Cinema Guide - Reader Reviews
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 ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The BigScreen Cinema Guide - Reader Reviews
Mutant Reviewers From Hell
Seriously, just… wow. It’s been over an hour since I walked out of my first (and definitely not last) viewing of Spider-Man 2 in the theater, and I still haven’t come down yet — always a good sign. Before I start gushing, though, I guess it’s ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Mutant Reviewers From Hell
DVDRAMA
Pour beaucoup d'entre nous, les premières minutes de jeu de Spider-man 2 sur DS s'accompagneront d'une surprise comme nous aimerions en vivre plus souvent sur consoles portables. Celle-ci est tout d’abord due à l’incroyable fluidité de Spidey, qui ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at DVDRAMA
Mondo Irlando - The Duke On Film
To this end, the other night I was re-watching Spider-Man 2, and
enjoying it immensely on account of it’s a ...masterpiece. But it felt different. For example, bits that I
thought were cringe-inducingly over-sentimental at the cinema, I
now felt ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Mondo Irlando - The Duke On Film
kids-in-mind
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is still your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, and continues to harbor a secret love for Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst). In this sequel he must fight a new villain dubbed Dr. Octopus (Alfred Molina), a once brilliant scientist ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at kids-in-mind
Weekly Reviews (Nathan Weinbender) - Capsule
Movies that Bang! (Jordan Hiller)
In the summer of 2002, Spider-Man stood out. Forget the huge, almost inexplicable numbers catapulting Spidey to the largest opening of all time (and still champion). What was even more astounding was that we had been delivered a spectacular summer ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Movies that Bang! (Jordan Hiller)
Box Office Prophets (David Mumpower)
A treatise on responsibility doesn't sound like the basis for the comic book movie of the year, but that's exactly what Spider-Man 2 proves to be. The results are inconsistent at times but thanks to the magic of confident direction and a masterful set of ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Box Office Prophets (David Mumpower)
hybridmagazine.com
You know once upon a time heroes just saved the day and that was it. Superman, Dick Tracy, Rin Tin Tin-these heroes acted out of an instinctive nobility, and were admired for it. What they did at the end of the day, while almost certainly wholesome, was ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at hybridmagazine.com
Culture Wars (Patrick Hayes)
The film offers an exaggerated and very clear-cut example of how the need to keep our public and private roles apart can play havoc with our sense of identity: Parker decides that his responsibility to the public as Spider-Man must necessarily prevent ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Culture Wars (Patrick Hayes)
Dallas Observer (Robert Wilonsky)
All you need to know about Spider-Man 2 is revealed in the opening credits, in which comic-book artist Alex Ross recaps the 2002 original in lovingly, lavishly painted panels. Spidey and Mary Jane Watson are once again entangled in that now-iconic ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Dallas Observer (Robert Wilonsky)
Reel.com DVD review (Tim Knight)
Philadelphia City Paper (Sam Adams)
"Where've you gone to, Spider-Man?" asks a plaintive street musician in Sam Raimi's blockbuster sequel, a question that action buffs may themselves feel prompted to ask. In interviews, Raimi chalked up the first movie's record-breaking success to ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Philadelphia City Paper (Sam Adams)
Aggressive-Voice.com - Movie Reviews
As per the usual with Marvel films, the opening title sequence is a lengthy comic-book montage preparing the audience for the live version feature, but unlike the eternally long introduction to the bore-fest “Hulk,†the intro to “Spider-Man 2†is ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Aggressive-Voice.com - Movie Reviews
Steve Rhodes <Steve.Rhodes@internetreviews.com>
In SpiderMan 2 director Sam Raimi successfully flirts with his dark side while creating a boffo comicbook movie as well, unseating XMen 2 as the best of the genre.In many ways Raimi already made SpiderMan 2 in 1990 as Darkman(much as he remade the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Steve Rhodes <Steve.Rhodes@internetreviews.com>
RaEL Film Guide
I'd said that the original "Spider-Man" worked largely because it hewed to Steve Ditko and Stan Lee's original formula: that of a soap kicked up a notch by a judicious sprinkling of super-powers. I'd said Raimi was the perfect director to do this kind of ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at RaEL Film Guide
Screen It! Entertainment Reviews for Parents
It's been two years since high school student Peter Parker (TOBEY MAGUIRE) was bit by a genetically altered spider that turned him into a teenager with superhuman powers. He no longer lives with his widowed Aunt May (ROSEMARY HARRIS), but still feels ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Screen It! Entertainment Reviews for Parents
Slant Magazine
In Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) gives up on love and dedicates his life to fighting crime, but he isn't quite done negotiating that existential rift between Spider and Man. A working model and actress, M.J. (Kirsten Dunst) gives Peter the ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Slant Magazine
The Flick Filosopher (MaryAnn Johanson)
Boy, sucks to be Spidey these days: he's lost his job delivering pizzas, he's flunking out of Columbia University, and that red-and-blue costume runs in the wash. But it gets worse: his attempts to protect his friends and family from Spider-man's enemies ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at The Flick Filosopher (MaryAnn Johanson)
Pajiba (Jeremy C. Fox)
As it’s currently chic to suggest that everything in pop culture somehow relates to The Passion of the Christ, it seems reasonable to propose that Spider-Man 2 should be subtitled “The Last Temptation of Spidey.†As it begins, Peter Parker (Tobey ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Pajiba (Jeremy C. Fox)
Cutting Edge
Van zodra de eerste “Spider–Man†in de VS kassagerinkel in het kwadraat veroorzaakte, was het duidelijk: Spidey mocht een tweede keer zijn web spinnen. Dat ook Tobey Maguire de raggende man zou blijven, was veel minder zeker. Tijdens de opnames van ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Cutting Edge
DVDRAMA
Etre Peter Parker, chacun pense que ça doit être cool, fun, excitant, passionnant. On est d’accord. Pourtant, on oublie un peu vite que le héros, en contre partie, connaît aussi sa dose quotidienne de malheurs et autres tourments amoureux. Parce ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at DVDRAMA
Plugged In
"Spider-Man, Spider-Man/Does whatever a spider can/Spins a web, any size/Catches thieves just like flies/Look out! Here comes the Spider-Man!" Just about everybody remembers the theme song from the old TV series, but no one's ever seen it performed with ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Plugged In
DVD Verdict (Dennis Prince)
In 2004, another summer stood ready to play host to yet another comic-turned-feature film extravaganza. It was nothing new, really, as we had been seeing such big-screen, big-budget efforts since 1978's Superman: The Movie, and as recently as the Spring ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at DVD Verdict (Dennis Prince)
Time Out
What’s a superhero to do when he fancies – nay, loves – a girl but there’s a whole load of crime to fight in the big, bad metropolis? Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) hits a mid-career existential crisis in this superior follow-up to the original, ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Time Out
MovieJuice Satirical Review
Out of the usually murky recesses of Hollywood's creative crypt comes what is probably the best comic book movie ever made and certainly one of the best movies of the year. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at MovieJuice Satirical Review
World Socialist Web Site
Spiderman 2 is an adaptation of the Marvel comic book about young Peter Parker who, through a freak accident, becomes endowed with the powers of a super-arachnid. In this sequel, Parker is beset by difficulties and pressures: his best friend hates ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at World Socialist Web Site
Kamera.co.uk
US critics have been so ecstatic in their praise of Spiderman 2, it seemed all-too-inevitable that the film would prove a disappointment when it finally arrived in the UK: another over-egged blockbuster, like last summer's Hulk, whose triumph of ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Kamera.co.uk
Cinopsis
Peter Parker, alias l'Araignée, court à droite et à gauche à la recherche d'argent, se faisant virer de divers petits boulots et agresser comme d'habitude par J.J. Jameson. Il en oublie jusqu'à son anniversaire... et manque une représentation ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Cinopsis
BBC Films
As is wont in comicbook world, a scientific experiment goes horribly wrong and spawns a super-villain in Dr Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), aka Doc Ock. (Note: side effects of cold fusion include sprouting four mechanical arms and a psychotic obsession ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at BBC Films
Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
Stan Lee's action super-hero comic book story created in 1962 returns for a sequel to its 2002 blockbuster hit and provides the same cheap thrills and plot points, but tightens the narrative in this improved version. Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is a ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
Charlotte Observer (Lawrence Toppman)
Yet for all the fun the sequel provides, the series shows signs of wearing out quickly, unless characters get developed thoroughly and in unexpected ways. ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Charlotte Observer (Lawrence Toppman)
In Review (Adam Suraf)
There is a cut two-thirds of the way through “Spider-Man 2â€, Sam Raimi’s incredibly superior sequel to the 2002 blockbuster, that perfectly sums up the troubled psyche of the titular character. Having just realized that the powers of heroism are ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at In Review (Adam Suraf)
DVDRAMA
Annoncé comme un transfert numérique haute définition, l'image de Spider-Man 2 est effectivement d'une très bonne facture, même si le résultat aurait encore plus être probant. Tout comme pour Spider-man premier du nom, l'image propose donc une ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at DVDRAMA
Cineclub-Filmkritik
Unterdessen muss Peter Parker einen neuen Rückschlag hinnehmen, da Marie Jane plötzlich einen anderen heiraten will. Also verbringt Peter etwas mehr Zeit mit seinem Freund Harry Osborn (James Franco), der die Forschungen seines Vaters als neuer Leiter ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Cineclub-Filmkritik
Moviegnome.com
Your friendly neighborhood spider returns in this highly anticipated sequel to the first blockbuster. You’ve heard the hype, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you may be wondering if it’s worth all the fuss.
The story starts about two years ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Moviegnome.com
Mark Reviews Movies (Mark Dujsik)
As far as superheroes go, Spider-Man seems, to me, to be one of the more accessible and sympathetic. As he strains to balance his secret identity and his heroic deeds, he is continuously reminded that his lifestyle is marred with reluctance. The ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Mark Reviews Movies (Mark Dujsik)
Kam-Hung Soh
Poor Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire)! As if being an unappreciated superhero in New York isn't enough, he's too skint to pay his rent, his life long sweetheart MJ (Kirsten Dunst) is betrothed to a national hero, Aunt May's (Rosemary Harris) house is about ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Kam-Hung Soh
Richard A. Zwelling
I'm starting to feel like a black sheep here.
Critics almost unanimously praised Harry Potter and the Prisoner of
Azkaban. I thought it to be one of the worst movies I have seen this
year (which isn't saying much), fraught with poor acting, ...read the complete Spider-Man 2 movie review at Richard A. Zwelling
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