As I did with my DVD review of the first
Spider-Man movie I want to open with a quote heard on the commentary track of Warner’s
Superman: The Movie DVD (Chapter 12 to be exact):
'It's one of the things in the narrative of this... you have to tell the story once. Where he came from... what happened... what's the fable? Once you've done all that in one you're free to go on two. Everybody knows everything, and now you just do a movie.' - Tom Mankiewicz, 'creative consultant' of "Superman The Movie."
Coming on the heels of the successful X2: X-Men United movie from the year before I wasn’t expecting to be blown away by Spider-Man 2 when it was theatrically released in June of this year. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the 2002 movie a lot and thought (and still do) that the casting of Tobey Maguire and the direction of Sam Raimi complemented each other rather well. It’s just that the characters, special effects and action sequences in Bryan Singer’s X-Men sequel were so mesmerizing and well integrated into a halfway-decent plot that I thought no superhero movie sequel would be able to top it for a while. It didn’t help that, as the above-quote indicates, David Koepp’s script for the first Spider-Man took itself so damn seriously in its attempt to establish the series there were few ‘WOW’ moments or big surprises. It was a good movie with well-developed comic book archetype characters begging for a good sequel. I’m happy to report that Spider-Man 2 isn’t only much, much better than its predecessor. It is better than even Fox’s X2, the superhero movie sequel that I thought wouldn’t be topped for a good long while.
Once again under the helm of Sam Raimi (the Evil Dead movies, A Simple Plan, Darkman, etc.) but with a screenplay by Oscar-winning screenwriter Alvin Sargent (Ordinary People) this next chapter in the Spider-Man saga focuses almost exclusively on the misery that being Peter Parker (Maguire) can be when you’re also a masked superhero. Fired from menial jobs, always missing important appointments, underperforming in school and so broke his poor Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) has to pass him a few bucks, Peter’s biggest heartbreak continues to be his selfless decision to stay away from life-long crush Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). Now a successful actress with a face he sees everyday in billboard advertisements, Mary Jane continues to be Pete’s friend despite his decision to give her the cold shoulder. The guilt over the death of Norman Osborn, AKA Green Goblin, also affects Parker’s strained relation with best pal Harry Osborn (James Franco). J.J. Jameson’s Daily Bugle continues to be both Peter’s only source of steady income (via his photographs of his alter ego).
This being a superhero movie (which in this case actually works against the normalcy the story is trying to project) there has to be a villain. The producers go for the jugular by not only bringing Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) and his questionable experiments with mechanical devices into the forefront. The story also (a) has Harry Osborn’s corporation as Octavius’ main financial backer and (b) Parker as an adoring fan of the Doctor’s scientific breakthroughs. When things go wrong during a demonstration (Ch. 16) and the intelligent Octavius loses his marbles he becomes Doctor Octopus. One of Spidey’s better nemesis from the comic books, Doc Ock becomes the best special effects-driven movie heavy in movie history (with Lord of the Rings’ Golem a close second) and the main reason the action scenes in Spider-Man 2 are so much more exciting and thrilling than those in the prequel. A battle aboard a train crossing Manhattan and another atop a bank building (with Aunt May as a hostage) will make a kid out of even the most humorless and stubborn movie watchers. Many other action set-pieces throughout the movie are staged so well that by the time Spider-Man 2’s climax rolls around (Chapters 46 & 47) most of the good stuff has already been seen.
Thank God, then, that the movie’s down time in-between bouts between Spidey and Doc Ock is spent exploring the relationships, tribulations and emotions of the characters. Although it was unsettling to see how many times Spider-Man took his mask off during the movie (I lost count after seven) I’m now more interested in Peter Parker as a regular person than as a superhero. As portrayed by Tobey Maguire this Peter Parker is far more sympathetic, believable and relatable than any mutant on the X-Men movies (with the possible exception of Anna Paquin’s Rogue) or Parker's comic book persona. Seldom have I watched dramatic or dialogue scenes in movies with big action set pieces (I usually just fast-forward to the good stuff), but in Spider-Man 2 I find myself as interested in the fantastic soap opera as in the action scenes. James Franco’s possible following of his father’s footsteps in the family business (a tease at the end of the movie that elicited boos when I saw it in theaters) is intriguing, as was Dylan Baker’s cameo in the role of Dr. Curt Connors (complete with his missing arm). Is the Lizard already in the running for villain of the inevitable Spider-Man 3 sequel?
Kirsten Dunst still leaves me a little cold as Mary Jane Watson, but that might be my long-repressed pro-Gwen Stacey bias speaking. Too bad that director Raimi shoots the revelation of Peter’s identity to M.J. in such an awkward way that it robs the movie of what should have been one of its emotional highs. What grows on me the more I watch the movie is Rosemary Harris’ portrayal of Aunt May, which was a memorable but quite undeveloped character in the first Spider-Man. There’s a scene in May’s backyard (Ch. 35) that takes place right after an equally-powerful scene in which Peter confesses to her aunt about his role in her husband’s death (Ch. 31). The speech is a little long but, through body language and voice inflection, it’s almost obvious that Aunt May knows that Peter is Spider-Man. This is my opinion and a personal observation, mind you, but having just seen that scene again I’m convinced of it. Then of course there are the action sequences with Doctor Octopus, which are as intense and well-staged as they are stunning displays of special effect wizardry. Doc Ock’s tentacles actually look better as a live action effect than Spider-Man’s web swinging animations. When the two Marvel titans do battle atop a building (Chapters 21-22) or Octavius’ arms are setting up shop in the abandoned Pier (Ch. 25) you completely buy what’s in front of your eyes despite how outlandish the concept of a man carried by mechanical tentacles is. Alfred Molina hits the right notes early on as a scientist whose world is turned upside down by a freaky accident and wants the world to pay for the loss of his humanity. He looks and acts just like the Doctor Octopus character did in the comic books. Only until the very end, when the script deems it necessary to end the character’s live action tenure with some nobility, does Doc Ock lose its menace and becomes another typical Hollywood softie that must do what’s right.
Kudos also to the producers and special effects technicians for making a valiant attempt at improving the web slinging of Spidey during his action scenes. I’d much rather have them cut from shot to shot instead of showing the character swing in one continuous shot, but that’s their decision. So, what’s left to be said? This is the new superhero sequel that superhero sequels will have to be measured against, this generation’s Superman II. As good and memorable as the action scenes in Spider-Man 2 are the story it tells is a reminder that boredom doesn’t have to take over during a superhero movie when the costumed freaks are taking a break from fighting each other for the good (or doom) of the world. The characters the actors bring to cinematic life (the comedic one’s as much as the one’s meant to be everyday people caught in fantastic situations) how frail even the strongest among us can be on the inside. It’s a testament to the cumulative power of Spider-Man 2’s many diverse elements and the enduring legacy of the comic book’s power as entertaining social commentary that I love this movie despite the many flaws I mentioned before. There are so many ways this timeless story, these characters and these fantastic tales could have wound up being an insult to the treasured childhood memories many of us hold dear. The fact that we’re already at movie number 2 and things are looking good for this franchise (Spider-Man 3 is on track for a Summer 2007 release) is the kind of miracle that happens when Hollywood synergy clicks on all cylinders. Spider-Man 2, in case you haven’t caught my drift by now, absolutely freaking rules! End of story, discussion or debate, mmkay?
The Disc:
Disc 1 features a Widescreen Anamorphic (2:40:1) Video Transfer that preserves the movie’s new aspect ratio. The first Spider-Man was shot in a 1:85:1 aspect ratio, but for the sequel Sam Raimi & Co. have gone panoramic with angles that suit better the action sequences in the movie. Any shot in which Spidey and Doc Ock are doing battle, staring at each other or sizing each other up looks postcard-picture perfect. But, since most of Spider-Man 2 consists of regular conversations and everyday scenes, a lot of empty space fills the screen when the action quiets down. Aside from some very minor edge enhancements (which you’d have to look for like I did to spot) the picture sports zero damage or nasty artifacts. Even the artificiality of the CG effects of Spider-Man swinging around Manhattan has been curtailed. I guarantee you’ll spend hours watching Doctor Octopus’ mechanical tentacles move in crystal-clear slow motion with this DVD. They truly are a special effects sight to behold!
Audiowise we get English & French Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks as well as English & Spanish Dolby 2.0 Surround one’s. From the use of silence at key moments for dramatic effect to the never-ending parade of audio wonders (like the metal ‘CLANK’ Doc Ock’s tentacles make when they hit the ground), the 5.1 mix is everything we’ve come to expect from both this movie series as well as most modern action flicks’ soundtracks. Too bad we didn’t get the DTS mix a movie like this deserves, but that’s for the inevitable Superbit edition of Spider-Man 2 coming down the pike. English, French and Spanish Subtitles are also included, along with Two Commentary Tracks. One covers the special effects with a few technical guys whose names escape me at the moment, but who were a little too dry and boring for my tastes (your mileage may vary if you find the special effects intriguing). More interesting is the track that put together in a room director Sam Raimi and star Tobey Maguire, along with producer Avi Arad and co-producer Grant Curtis (recorded separately). When there aren't any awkward silences these guys have a love fest with each other and everyone else involved with the movie (particularly producer Laura Ziskin, who was in the commentary track for the first Spider-Man movie’s DVD but not in this one). Occasionally someone says something interesting. Maguire’s comments about how the end of Spider-Man 2 mirrors the ending of The Graduate come as news to Raimi, who is a little more animated here than his usual sleep-inducing self. There’s also a ’Spider Sense 2’ Trivia Track that will ‘pop-up’ info about both the movie and the comic book.
Other features on Disc 1 include Four Web-i-sodes (internet promotional featurettes similar to the one’s for the Lord of the Rings movies), Train’s ’Ordinary’ Music Video (3:41 min.), Previews (AKA trailers) for other Columbia releases (including the Seinfeld DVD Box Sets) and a 7:10 min. Blooper Reel. The bloopers aren’t really that funny except for J.K. Simmons’ Jameson screw-ups, including a gratuitous use of the ‘F’ word. The DVD producers must have known these bloopers weren’t really too funny because halfway through the reel a weird new Spider-Man song (by some guy named Vic Mizzy) starts playing.
On to Disc 2, which focuses most of its attention on the making of the movie instead of Spider-Man’s comic book origins (the centerpiece of the second disc in 2002’s Spider-Man DVD). The 12-part ’Making the Amazing’ Documentary covers the project from pre-conceptualization of how to get Doctor Octopus’ famed tentacles done as a movie special effect to the movie’s Hollywood premiere. Most of the behind-the-scenes stuff featured here is strictly for film school buffs, but a few parts (like the one about how they got ‘Spydercam’ to work) are more fascinating than others. On to disc 2’s three featurettes, the first of which is Hero in Crisis (14:48). Lots of talking heads (both from the movie as well as the comic book world) tell those that didn’t know already what’s the deal with the guilt that’s eating Peter Parker inside out. Then there’s ’Ock-Umentary: Eight Arms to Hold You’, a 22:09 min. look at the comic book origins of Doc Ock and the challenges of bringing his persona (and mechanical tentacles) to the big screen. Finally there’s ’Interwoven: The Women of Spider-Man (15:25), a look at the female characters (including Aunt May) that have shaped Peter Parker into the superhero he is throughout the years. Spider-Man Blue author Jeph Loeb gets props from us for looking visibly pained when recalling how the death of Gwen Stacey’s character shaped a generation of Spidey fans in a way people who have only seen the movies could never possibly understand.
Then there’s a real-time Multi-Angle ‘Enter the Web’ side-by-side comparison of how the climactic scene in the NYC Pier was shot (in October of 2003 if you had to know). The Spider-Man 2 videogame gets its props with a 3:30 min. ’Spinning the Web’ behind-the-scenes look as well as the 2004 E3 Trailer of the game. There’s also an Art Gallery (17 Pictures) of Alex Ross’ paintings chronicling the story from the first Spider-Man movie that are seen during the movie’s opening credits. Disc 2 also has Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese Subtitles for non-English speaking viewers to follow along how this English-speaking movie unfolds (uhhh?).
bottom line:
It’s not perfect (way too much Spidey w/o his mask, a cool villain that goes soft in the end, etc.) but Spider-Man 2 builds on the strengths of its predecessor and becomes that rare movie sequel that’s much better than the original. Special effects are stellar, the performances are uniformly excellent (particularly Rosemary Harris’ Aunt May), the action scenes superbly staged and executed (Chapters 41-44) and the story laced with enough human emotion to make Peter Parker’s plights (which mirror our own) all the more emotionally rewarding. The DVD’s are loaded with content (love the retrospective on Parker’s women featurette) and have excellent picture/sound specs. Even the commentaries (which were dry and unemotional the last time) pick it up a notch and are worth listening to this time. Buy it!
By - J.M. Vargas
