Spider-Man 2
"I believe there's a hero in all of us that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even to... give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams." The best superhero film.
The most Spider-Man Spider-Man movie, where Peter, actually living a life of responsibility, is hard, comically humiliating, and soul-destroying. Work, university, freelance photography, being Spider-Man, and seeing what you love fade away. Spider-Man loses his power when he has nothing to fight for. The inner superhero, the privilege of intelligence and heart, starts from within. You have to chase that love and passion that extends towards a better world. Everyone has moments where they feel life is pointless, without direction, and this gives power to the person we want to be. Our desires and greatest dreams are achievable if we don't let go of what makes life worth living.
Mary Jane finally saves Peter for once; in absolute perfect drama, she finally sees him without the mask. There's no point in living half lives; you know the risk, but you keep on living. Spider-Man revives the heart and soul of Peter; you can't separate your life into wants and needs. Doc Ock also fights against himself, the power of the sun in his hands, killing his life and control over his mind. The train sequence. Webs draw his arms like a cross, and he is heralded by the people as a person, a kid, just equal and good. The action was perfect; the perspective and horror of the arms grips you with might and terror. I don't know if you can make a better superhero film than this, an expansion of the first, the themes, and Peter himself.
I like that Aunt May and MJ already knew he was Spider-Man; they know Peter would try and do those things for others. She stands there in her wedding dress and he is called by the people. There is a greater responsibilty to what you love. Greek peak theatre. So tightly written, edited and put together. You have to love yourself, which carries onto others. Onto Spider-Man 3 now, straight after into the cinema.