The Perfect Spin

Quirkier, deeper and more epic than its predecessor, Spider-Man 2 can arguably lay claim to an impressive title: Best comic book adaptation ever. It certainly deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the first Superman and Batman films.

What makes Spidey 2 such a winner? Simply put, it’s about Peter Parker, not Spider-Man The biggest battle here is against inner demons, not the latest evil genius. Tobey Maguire reprises his role, and again shows he was the perfect fit for the onscreen webslinger. He’s a nerdy kid, charged with saving the world, and in love with a woman he can’t have. It’s classic, angst-ridden stuff (perfect comic book fodder) and director Sam Raimi feeds it all to us at the perfect pace, allowing us to feel every emotion. (Imagine that, actual character development and human emotion. Perhaps the Van Helsing and The Day After could take note, hmmm?)

But don’t let all this talk of emotion fool you Spidey 2 rocks! The story moves fast, and the action sequences are big, scary affairs that improve on the original. A big reason is Doctor Octavius (a.k.a. Doc Ock), a much better villain than Green Goblin. Alfred Molina does a fine job as a good man gone wrong, but it’s those fantastic arms—each with its own personality—that still his scenes.

Another pleasant surprise this time around is the funny, confident screenplay. A hilariously awkward elevator ride has an all-too-human Spider-Man making small talk with a yuppie heading out to walk his dog. “Cool spidey outfit,” the yuppie says. “Thanks,” replies Spider-Man, “It get’s kinda itchy.”

The best, quirkiest scene comes in the form of a musical montage as Peter decides to hang up his tights and be a normal guy. The song choice? Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head. Priceless.

If I have a quibble with Spider-Man 2, it’s the heavy-handed way it plays up those patriotic citizens of the Big Apple. But, hey, it’s the Fourth of July weekend, and really, what better superhero for America to celebrate with? Spider-Man 2 opens Wednesday, June 30.