Spider-Man 2
What a brilliant sequel. Undoubtedly entertaining, but the way it continues to develop Spider-Man and Peter Parker is what makes it such an impressive feat. Not only does it build on the key themes of the original, it delivers a new message. A much more nuanced message at that. The original film mostly presented right and wrong as one singular choice. You either pick right or wrong. This sequel, as I’ll get onto, analyses that in a much more complex way.
By and large, this film represents a ‘mid-life’ crisis for Spider-Man and Peter Parker. Is being a superhero what he really wants or does he want a normal life where he can pursue MJ in the way she deserves? How Harry Osborn blames Spider-Man for his fathers death and Otto Octavius develops a hatred for Spider-Man for ‘ruining’ his experiment, Peter starts to doubt whether being Spider-Man is what’s best for him and the city. His webs being inconsistent in working is the physical representation of that doubt.
The film consistently looks at Peter trying to balance his personal life with being Spider-Man. Is that even possible or are sacrifices inevitable? That’s the message I believe this film tries to get across. His friendship with Harry Osborn breaking down, his relationship with MJ deteriorating, Aunt May nearly being killed by Doc Oc - being Spider-Man is a sacrifice. Sadly, to do the right thing, sacrifices have to be made. If Peter wants to be good, he has to give up what he wants most. Whether that be MJ, his school/science work, his friendship with Harry, or relationship with Aunt May - that is the burden/responsibility he has to take on.
This film essentially, as it should, takes an even deeper look at the iconic quote:
[“Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words. With great power comes great responsibility. This is my gift, my curse. Who am I? I’m Spider-Man”]
The previous film, while analysing this quote well and using Ben’s death to show that being Spider-Man is not solely a good thing, it mostly looked at it as a gift in my opinion. Whereas, Spider-Man 2 looks so much more intricately into why it’s a curse and what Peter has to do in order to live with that. It not only looks at its impact on the lives of Peter’s family, it looks at its impact on the success of his active relationships (MJ or Harry), his professional life as a college student or a scientist, and the danger it puts his loved ones in. It’s just absolutely perfect.
In conclusion, this may be the perfect superhero film. So intricately crafts the effects of being a superhero while also presenting an amazingly entertaining villain. I just can’t think of anything this film does badly. I came into this with the idea that it physically couldn’t be better than the original. But this is why you have to rewatch these films. I actually think it’s significantly better. That is really some feat.