Spider-Man 2

Theatrical Release Date: 2004 07 23 (USA - IMAX) / 2004 06 30 (USA)

UPC: 043396399938

Studio: Sony Pictures

MPAA Rating: PG13   Contains:[Violence, Adult Situations, Watch With Your Kids, Scary Moments, Suitable for Teens]

Summary: Stan Lee's all-too-human superhero returns to the screen in this highly anticipated sequel to 2002's blockbuster hit Spider-Man. Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is attempting to juggle college classes and his job as a photographer with the Daily Bugle while maintaining his secret life as costumed crime-fighter Spider-Man. Parker is also struggling to hold on to his relationship with Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), who is beginning to enjoy success as a model and actress, and both Mary Jane and Peter have noticed he's beginning to buckle under the strain. Parker's friendship with Harry Osborn (James Franco) is also beginning to fray due to Peter's seeming alliance with Spider-Man, whom Harry blames for the death of his father, the nefarious Norman Osborn. As Parker weighs his responsibilities to himself and those around him against the obligations that come with his special powers, Spider-Man is faced with a new nemesis -- Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), a deranged scientist whose latest project has turned him into the near-invincible cyborg Doctor Octopus. Spider-Man 2 was directed by Sam Raimi, who helmed the first film, and much of the original cast has also reunited for this sequel, including Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, and Bruce Campbell. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Category: Action

Awards: Best Picture – American Film Institute Best Popular Movie – Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Live Action Family Film – Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Sound – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Special Visual Effects – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Sound Editing – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Mixing – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Mixing – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Mixing – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Mixing – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Features: Commentary with Director Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire, Producer Avi Arad, and Co-Producer Grant Curtis

Technical Commentary
Commentary with Producer Laura Ziskin and Screen Writer Alvin Sargent
Blooper Reel
"Hero in Crisis"
"Making the Amazing" - A 12 Part Documentary
Ock-Umentary: Eight Arms to Hold You
VFX Breakdowns

Spider-Man 2

Format: Blu-ray

Release Date: 05/29/2012

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 2.40:1

Audio: DHMA null, DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo, DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 263 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French,Spanish,Portuguese

Subtitles: English,French,Spanish,Portuguese

Jeremy Wheeler

Sam Raimi raises the bar of excellence with Spider-Man 2, a highly evolved sequel that brims with superb comedy, heartfelt characters, and dazzling visuals that nail the wall-crawler's universe in a fully respectable and exciting way. With the luxury of having the origin story behind them, the filmmakers let loose with this one, all the while still staying true to the character-driven focus that made the first film so fresh and appealing. Tobey Maguire again holds the spotlight amazingly well, this time comically tortured by his director, who seems to finally be having fun with the franchise. Back is Raimi's energetic visual style, something that has been missing since his Darkman days and one thing that the original was sorely lacking. Of course, the hero always needs a villain, and this time it's Alfred Molina playing a Doc Oc that isn't over-the-top in the usual flamboyant way, but brimming with a conflicted sense of sadness mixed with maniacal purpose. His tentacles deserve credit as well, as they add little touches of flair even when they aren't throwing Spidey through walls or bashing up city streets. Kirsten Dunst delivers another charming performance, while James Franco takes the Harry Osbourne character through the next step in his tragic arc, pointing straight toward events in the third film. The real surprise is Rosemary Harris as a truly touching Aunt May, who ends up being the emotional backbone of the story. Her speeches to Peter are devastating and resonate throughout the film as the events are played out. Again, it's this kind of attention to character that really makes the series shine. While Spider-Man 2 is a visual feast brimming with action, it never plays dumb to its characters or the audience. Raimi and company have effectively expanded on the world they created, making every scene essential to what has happened before and a building block of what's to come. Eagle-eyed fans will appreciate the nods to various other characters in the universe, the most immediate being Dylan Baker as Dr. Curt Connors (who eventually becomes The Lizard in the comics), along with Daniel Gillies's John Jameson, whose character is a direct setup for canine villain Man-Wolf. However close to perfect the final film is, there are a few things that don't ring so true -- Harry Osbourne needs a little more sympathy instead of being angry from the get-go, while Peter's tall and skinny neighbor supplies a great laugh, but doesn't end up serving much of a purpose in the end. Still, those are nitpicks and very well might end up paying off by the time the third movie rolls around. With advanced effects, a much more satisfying Danny Elfman score, and a filmmaker at the top of his game leading the charge, Spider-Man 2 is a classic superhero movie that deserves the near-unanimous praise that it has garnered. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Joel McHale  Actor 
Brooke Adams  Actor 
Jason Ortiz  Actor 
Bonnie Somerville  Actor 
Danny Elfman  Composer (Music Score) 
Stan Lee  Executive Producer 
Sam Raimi  Director 
Alvin Sargent  Screenwriter 
Laura Ziskin  Producer 
Avi Arad  Producer 
Kevin Feige  Executive Producer 
Joseph M. Carraciolo  Executive Producer 
Tobey Maguire  Actor 
Kirsten Dunst  Actor 
James Franco  Actor 
Alfred Molina  Actor 
Rosemary Harris  Actor 
J.K. Simmons  Actor 
Donna Murphy  Actor 
Daniel Gillies  Actor 
Dylan Baker  Actor 
Bill Nunn  Actor 
Vanessa Ferlito  Actor 
Aasif Mandvi  Actor 
Willem Dafoe  Actor 
Cliff Robertson  Actor 
Ted Raimi  Actor 
Elizabeth Banks  Actor 
Bruce Campbell  Actor 

Country: USA