Spider-Man 2 (2004)

This one won one Oscar?!

It might be much-improved over the last movie: the CGI is starting to feel realistic, and the intro was stylish as few, the chemistry is getting better too... basically everything in this movie is better than it was in the previous, but it's still miles away from the reboot. And the reboot sequel, premiered ten years after this one, even further.

Maybe it's the predictability of it all. Maybe it's the so unnecessary ups and downs of Peter and Mary Jane's relationship (though the ups and downs did annoy me in the reboot sequel as well). Maybe it's the doubt. Probably it's a combination of all these elements, combined with the fact that this movie is just old. The CGI - albeit better, doesn't live up to the standards a decade later, and the romantic parts are still pretty cheesy.

I did like this one, and Alfred Molina played a convincing villain as Doc Ock - much more so than the Green Goblin in the previous. The plot's a compelling one too, with a clear threat, and an intrigue that makes it as personal as possible, and it ends in that familiar, flashy, Spider-Man way. It's good, but not as good as I hoped, or remembered it. But that is the point of a reboot, right? To make it better.

The polished storyline - truthful to the comics, is one of the biggest strengths of the reboot, and the actors a close second. Though these actors aren't bad, they just don't feel as suitable for their roles. Tobey Maguire is great, and Kirsten Dunst is great - better now than ever, but it's like their roles have evolved beyond them and need someone else. I keep comparing them to their new counterparts, and feeling like their personalities are no longer suitable for their roles.

As far as the original trilogy goes this was definitely the best part of it, but not so great it should've gotten an Oscar. Not if the new ones didn't.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle