A love letter to “Spider-Man 2.” Illustration by: Matt Fabrizio
Whether you’re into superheroes or not, I think it’s admittedly hard for anyone to expect much from recent superhero films.
Though there definitely have been some especially great films in the past few years, most superhero movies are somewhat stale (think, “Morbius” or “Eternals”, both of which were critical flops). You have your annual slate of same-old Marvel/DC flicks, but then you have movies that truly exemplify what kind of great stories can be told through the genre.
One such movie was “Spider-Man 2” (2004). Not only is it one of my favorite comic book movies, but it’s one of my favorite movies, period. As the title suggests, it was the second installment of director Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man Trilogy. All three movies were great, but “Spider-Man 2” stands out as the most refined.
What makes “Spider-Man 2” my favorite out of the many superhero movies is its commitment to creating a believable, relatable comic book story. Yes, a movie about a guy who gets turned into a literal man-spider has a lot to say. It’s multilayered in the best way. You have everything you’d expect from a superhero movie: action, slightly odd villains and spandex suits. But then, “Spider-Man 2” throws in seething character drama.
Unlike many other superheroes, our protagonist, Peter Parker, is (sometimes painfully) average in every other aspect of him that isn’t his Spider-Man persona. This double-life he leads inevitably causes all sorts of problems, forcing him to realize his decisions’ consequences. He has to balance his personal life with being Spider-Man; sometimes, he isn’t willing or prepared to handle that burden. He’s human, which is an aspect of superhero stories that often isn’t emphasized enough elsewhere in the genre.
The movie is also incredibly well-paced for a two-hour blockbuster, carefully giving each plot thread a good amount of screen time. Over the course of the movie, we see the villain’s origin story (Doctor Octopus), Parker’s struggling relationship with love interest MJ Watson and other Spider-Man antics.
Raimi’s directorial touch also makes an already great film even better. His unique style can’t be mistaken; it’s campy but full of charm. His use of wacky camera movements and other unusual editing techniques turns out to be exciting and energetic. One of my favorite scenes is the reveal of Doc Ock’s transformation. This scene in particular shows off much of Raimi’s aforementioned signatures. Picture a sickly mad scientist, lying in bed and undergoing an operation by a group of surgeons. Suddenly, as one the Doc’s mechanical tentacles attacks a surgeon, the camera whips around the room, showing off the ensuing frenzy. There’s fast close-ups, first-person POVs, and sweeping motions made by the camera. It all makes for a highly chaotic scene that’s wildly fun to watch. Then there’s the legendary soundtrack, composed by Danny Elfman. It’s one of my favorite soundtracks in any film. Its orchestral sound is vibrant and full of expression; and it perfectly marries any scene.
But of course, there are flaws. The movie hasn’t aged the best (2004 humor stops being funny after 18 years, for example). Some might find it corny, melodramatic, or even trite. Though, I’d argue that zaniness adds to its charm. This is a movie that means a lot to me personally. It’s been a staple of my childhood – something that I still go back to watch. It’s one of the few movies I can watch countless times without ever being tired of it. Most importantly, “Spider-Man 2” inspired my interest in creative writing. So if you haven’t watched it, please help yourself to some fun for two hours. 10/10.