re:mote voices

Title: Spider-Man 2
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Daniel Gillies, Dylan Baker
Director: Sam Raimi

From the comments that are being made in various places, particularly about contracts, this current run of Spider-Man films is set up to be a trilogy. The second follows the first with another classic villain from the comic books, Doctor Octopus following the Green Goblin. Which for me is realised in a more effective manner, as is often the case the adaptation of the Green Goblin, and the casting of Christopher Walken, didn't really work for me. Alfred Molina however is a better actor, and suits the character of Doctor Octopus well, providing the decay from genius scientist to raving lunatic in an effective manner.

In this film Peter Parker is suffering from some doubts about his role as Spider-Man, particularly when considering the things he is having to sacrifice as a result. The clearest quandary is his relationship with Mary Jane Watson, a woman he clear loves, but feels can't really embrace due to the nature of his life choices. These doubts cause him problems, in a fashion which I found peculiarly reminiscent of the Japanese animation Kiki's Delivery Service, which ironically saw Kirsten Dunst provide the voice for the American release.

Of course in classic comic book fashion Doctor Octopus goes on the rampage, and the city is terrorised. Leading to the question - where is Spider-Man? With events spiralling to a point where action has to be taken. Action which I found more effective than the first film, there is certainly a reliance on CGI at times, but it feels less prevalent than before. There are times where the animation is far too blatant, a particular bugbear of mine, as it just seems to be a sloppy reliance on technology that can at times come across as laziness.

While there was some jiggery-pokery to ensure that the first Spider-Man got a lower rating, to ensure that it got a wider audience, Spider-Man 2 has been given an even lower rating without much apparent comment. Which seems odd perhaps, given the sheer level of violence that accompanies the "awakening" of Doctor Octopus, as his arms lash out in a brutal manner, reminiscent of director Sam Raimi's earlier horror work.

There are repeated references to three film contracts, which suggest that this run of Spider-Man films is envisioned as a trilogy. The course of this middle film clearly sets up the potential of the third film, as did the second of the X-Men films. Though in this case I think by the end of Spider-Man 2 we have a pretty strong idea of the direction of the next film.