100 Greatest Superhero Stories Ever
By Steve Lam
Image Courtesy of Sony Pictures
#19. Spider-Man 2
Medium
Live-Action Feature Film
Release Dates
June 25, 2004 (Lithuania)
June 30, 2004 (United States)
Credits
Director: Sam Raimi
Writers: Alvin Sargent (Story), Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Michael Chabon
Cast: Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, James Franco as Harry Osborn, Alfred Molina as Dr. Otto Octavius / Doctor Octopus / Doc Ock, Rosemary Harris as May Parker, J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson, Donna Murphy as Roaslie Octavius, Daniel Gillies as John Jameson, Dylan Baker as Dr. Curt Connors, Willem Dafoe as Norman Osborn / Green Goblin, Elizabeth Banks as Betty Brant, Mageina Tovah as Ursula Ditkovich
The Reason It’s Great
Many film franchises start their downward spiral right after the first movie. Not so for Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man (although it does go down the drain for Spider-Man 3). Spider-Man 2 is an epic superhero movie that expands Spidey’s web in every way.
Superpowers don’t always guarantee a smooth life. Peter Parker can you tell you that. It’s been a couple years since he donned the mask, but his life is as complex as ever. He tries to balance his relationship with the love of his life, Mary Jane, and also keep Aunt May from being evicted.
Meanwhile, famed research scientist Otto Octavius has built intelligent robotic arms to aid him in his research into fusion. An accident fuses those arms to him and the AI technology starts to influence his mind. Peter now has a new problem to contend with. As things become overwhelming, Peter has a mental breakdown and loses his abilities.
Critics have lauded Spider-Man 2‘s character development and story structure. Much of the praise went to Albert Molina’s portrayal of Doctor Octopus, stating that the villain was complex and engrossing. The late Roger Ebert felt Spider-Man 2‘s cinematic magic was on par with 1978’s critically acclaimed Superman: The Movie (another film that’s on our list of greats).