Posted on 06/29/2004 4:28:49 AM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta
With special effects so convincing you don't even think about them, a head-case hero and a three-dimensional villain who is his equal, socko "Spider-Man 2" (* * * * out of four) has something for everyone.
Like 2002's original, this is an uncommonly entertaining movie for one whose principals' near-morbid hang-ups are as messy as Spidey's projectile goo.
And when a web-spinning spinoff ends up being even better than its predecessor, its potential box office has - to steal a claim from the film's villain - the power of the sun in the palm of its hand.
Dr. Otto Octavius (a super Alfred Molina) makes that declaration about the energy stockpile he has at his disposal.
And by the time it goes haywire and kills his wife, just for starters, New York City needs sun-screen protection "Number Infinity." Enter brooding Peter Parker/Spider-Man, again perfectly played by Tobey Maguire.
Overworked Peter is still working out problems with sad-eyed Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst). He fails to catch her Broadway triumph (yes, she's an actress now) in The Importance of Being Earnest.
So, defeated, she elects to wed an astronaut who has "played football on the moon." Though for all the wondrous aerial trajectories, runaway trains and reptilian "Doc Ock" tentacles the movie offers, this nonentity might as well be punching a time clock.
Director Sam Raimi is back, working a screenplay by tony veteran Alvin Sargent. They expertly modulate the action by juggling personal introspection, and showstoppers that include an airborne doozy with Rosemary Harris' Aunt May.
Just a month ago, the special effects in "The Day After Tomorrow" seemed like an Oscar lock, yet Spider-Man 2's marathon skyscraper ping-pong is just as dazzling.
Moreover, Spider-Man's sturdy script knows just when and how much to call on the dazzling effects - ultimately humiliating the comparably overblown and destined-for-obscurity "Tomorrow" and "Van Helsing."
How great it is to see that even in a summer blockbuster, someone has remembered the importance of being good.
(Opens midnight tonight in select cities and worldwide Wednesday, 6/30. PG-13 for stylized action violence.)
We went to see "Van Helsing" over the weekend and walked out. It was that bad.
Hope this movie blows the doors off of F911.
Just heard a review on the radio. They said it is much better than the first Spiderman, and since the first Spiderman was a huge box office success, they expect this to be better.
Don't think we'll hear much more about F9/11's ranking after tomorrow.
I did see the original Spiderman, though. Took my son to see it. We both loved it. I thought it was an outstanding comic book adaption.
If this is much better, then it must be damn good.
C'mon you know the media better than that. While Spiderman 2 will certainly be #1 at the box office, nearly every media story will highlight that F 9/11 is still in the top 10 and is the "highest grossing documentary of all time". You can count on it.
I think you're right. Are you seeing it at MIDNIGHT?
Yep. It starts Wednesday, and across the highway from me the theater is starting it up at midnight. That showing was sold out two days ago.
Well, that's encouraging.
I've been wondering the last several years if there were more than two or three directors or studios who remembered how to make a good movie. It's seemed like good movies have been lost amongst all the special effects, porn, explosions and Kung Fu fighting.
Hey, don't crush my illusions. I can hope, can't I. LOL!
Interesting enough, I heard a discussion on Glenn Beck's program yesterday. They were talking about what makes a documentary.
It seems a caller said that when Moore did a "documentary" on the death sentence and capital punishment in Texas, he set up scenarios. Hired marching bands and cheerleaders on the day of the execution then filmed them as they were part of a usual Texas celebration when someone was executed.
Remember when the wildlife documentary maker got into loads of trouble and lost his reputation for setting up scenarios during his nature movies (the guys name was Mary Stoffer, if I remember right.)
Why doesn't Michael Moore deserve the same scrutiny from the press, obviously because he's "carrying water" for the Dems (however, I do think in the long run aligning with Moore will have a negative, not positive result for the Democratic party.)
Objection. You are assuming that any food object within 300 meters of Jabba wouldn't be summarily, instantly consumed.
When Spiderman 1 came out, I saw it three times so we could take other people to see it. I remember recommending it to a woman who had just seen some other movie, which she didn't like. She's a liberal and didn't seem interested, especially in the concept of good and evil.
Did you see Van Helsing?
I get around movies, by buying the used DVD of the movie. Usually my local Hollywood Video store would offer three previously viewed DVD for $ 25. I wait until they have three titles available before I buy. Built up a nice collection of previous titles that way. Plus one gets to watch the movie anytime and as much as one wants. Many video gamestores will buy old DVD's.
I *liked* van Helsing!
So there!
Dan
(c8
Four of us walked out!!!
Give us your report tomorrow morning after you see it.
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