Movie Review: SPIDER-MAN 2 -- THE BOF REVIEW! Author: Bill Ramey Thursday, July 1, 2004, 12:00 AM U.S. Release Date: Distributor: Warner Bros. Director: Sam Raimi Writing Credits: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Michael Chabon, Alvin Sargent Cast: Toby Maguire, Alfred Molina, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, et al. Genre: Superhero/Comic Book Adaptation/Adventure MPAA Rating: PG-13 OFFICIAL WEBSITE: SPIDER-MAN 2 TRAILERS: www.apple.com./trailers MERCHANDISE: SPIDER-MAN 2 at Amazon.com Copyright © 2004 William E. Ramey. All rights reserved. I’m sure it’s no secret to anyone who frequents BOF, but I’m what you would call a “DC Guy.” I always favored the characters of DC COMICS such as Superman and obviously, The Batman. But I did a read a bit of MARVEL and the one character that I did like quite a bit was Spider-Man. I also love “comic book movies” as long as they are good flicks and are respectful to the character to the fans as well. So I dug the first SPIDER-MAN -- thought it was one of the best of the genre -- and was very eager to see the follow-up. And I wasn’t disappointed. SPIDER-MAN 2 is one of the best comic book films ever produced for the big screen. BOF has to dish out some major props to Sam Raimi and all those involved with this film, in front of and behind the camera. The special effects and eye candy take a backseat to the major strength of this film, which is the story. Not once did I think "Man, those F/X are badass!" They are, but you are too immersed in the film to think about it. You care about every single person in the movie. You feel for Peter Parker (Toby McGuire) always getting the shaft and living like crap because of his duty as Spider-Man. Doc Ock (Alfred Molina) could have been some cheesy villain, but he's not. Molina makes you actually like Dr. Otto Octavius before he is tragically turned into the villain "Doc Ock." I found myself not hating Doc Ock, but those arms that have been fused to his spine. Aunt May, Harry Osborn, Mary Jane, ALL of the SPIDEY 2 players give you a reason to fell for them -- whether it is like or dislike. I could go on and on about this film as it was that good. But if I had to pick one scene from SPIDER-MAN 2 that stood out, it would have to be the train sequence. The interaction between Spider-Man and the people on the train had more of affect on me than other part of the film. If you have seen it, you know what I am talking about. The bar for “super hero films” has been raised. People will hold any film of this genre from now on to the standard of SPIDER-MAN 2. JETT'S GRADE: A "Jett" is the founder and editor-in-chief of BATMAN-ON-FILM.COM.