Spider-Man 2 (Marvel Comics Movie Review)

Plot
Peter Parker is beset with troubles in his failing personal life as he battles a brilliant scientist named Doctor Otto Octavius, who becomes Doctor Octopus, after an accident causes him to bond psychically with mechanical tentacles that do his bidding.

Jason's Thoughts
While putting together this list of comic book movies, one movie nearly always was at the top of the best movie based a comic book, and that movie was Spider-Man 2.  While I have to say it was a great movie, I have to disagree with it being held in such a high regard.

The special effects are improved upon from the first movie - including not having a villain look nearly as corny as the Green Goblin did.  In fact, Dr. Octopus looked just as I would imagine him to look like in a live action movie.  With the origins of Spider-Man out of the way, there should be plenty of time to showcase epic battles between Spider-Man and the evil Doc Ock, however, that isn't the case.

Instead we are treated to several subplots, such as Spider-Man losing his powers, his undying love for Mary Jane Watson, who is now engaged, his struggles with work, school, and the relationship with aunt, and Peter Parker decides he no longer wants to be Spider-Man.  Now I know there is a lot of source material to choose from while picking out what parts to put into a movie, however, there is no need to include everything at once.

Surprisingly, with so much going on at once, Spider-Man 2 seems to drag on at times.  This could be due to the fact that there is very little action going on, especially for a summer blockbuster, but the movie didn't quite live up to the excitement and energy that the first one had.  When the action was there, it was good and produced well.  There just isn't much of it to speak of.  

Had Spider-Man 2 came out with the subtitle 'The Life and Times of Peter Parker,' I may have been more forgiving with the multiple subplots.  Don't get me wrong, the acting, action, effects and music are great in this film, however, there is too much dead weight dragging it down.

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