Spider-Man 2 (Full Screen Special Edition)

"Spider-Man 2" is the best comic book superhero movie made to date, and not simply by default. The story and screenplay come from Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (co-creators of "Smallville"), Michael Chabon (author of "Wonder Boys"), and Alvin Sargent (Oscar winner for "Julia" and "Ordinary People"), and more than any other film in this genre it is true to the character and what made him Marvel Comics' most popular superhero in the 1960s. I teach a unit on Spider-Man in my Pop Culture class where we compare the original Stan Lee & Steve Ditko stories to what is being published today and my students have to deal with the key elements of the comic book. This time around Sam Raimi has those elements nailed big time. The story picks up two years after the first film, which is reprised through artwork by Alex Ross during the title sequences. Peter (Tobey Maguire) is now in college, working a part time job, fighting crime, and generally making a mess of everything. Being Spider-Man is a burden and it is beating Peter Parker down. He loses his job, his grades are slipping, and even his powers seem to be leaving him. He still loves Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), but all he can envision is a life where his enemies would threaten her life and he has to endure seeing her picture on billboards and posters all over New York City. It becomes clear that our hero is coming to a cross-roads in his life, but we have no idea what will be the final straw, as it could be anything from the bank foreclosing on the house of Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) or Dr. Curt Connors (Dylan Baker) flunking him to J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons) really firing him from the "Daily Bugle" to Mary Jane ending up with some other guy (Daniel Gillies). What made Spider-Man endearing was that he was the victim of such bad luck. With power comes great responsibility but you would think a guy could catch a break now and then. There is a point where a bruised Peter tries to make his way home and as he reaches out to steady himself against a parked car you KNOW that as soon as he touches it a car alarm goes off. Spider-Man endures a lot of slings and arrows in this film (e.g., Aunt May never told him how to do laundry) and all the while the gods just look down and laugh. The Green Goblin was something of the ultimate villain for Spider-Man because he was the one who learned the web-slinger's secret identity. But the consensus of my students each semester is that Doctor Octopus is the best Spider-Man villain. Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) intends to make nuclear fusion work and is employed by Harry Osborn (James Franco), who dreams of making a fortune during the day and of killing Spider-Man to avenge his father at night. Of course things go horribly wrong, and the four metal tentacles that Octavius has created are now fused to his body and have driven him insane. We have all seen the trailer for "Spider-Man 2" and the scene where Doc Ock interupts a potentially tender moment between Peter and Mary Jane by throwing a car through a window at them. This must happen over an hour into the film but it starts off a series of fantastic computer generated fights between the hero and the villain. The reason for this and why the pairing is so perfect is that Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus can both fight on the vertical axis as well as the horizontal. These two go at each other on the side of buildings and falling through the air as well as on top, on the sides, and through the middle of a subway train. Then you throw into the mix that Doc Ock can be carrying off someone Peter loves and still have three mechanical arms pounding away at Spider-Man. More importantly, when Spider-Man travels around by his webbing in this film it no longer looks like something we would expect from a Saturday morning cartoon. But the conflict between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus is only one of a half dozen that provide the interpersonal web of problems closing in on Peter and the way they all fit together gives "Spider-Man 2" a weight hitherto unsuspected in superhero movies. This point is best evidence by the fact that Aunt May is major supporting character in the film just as she is in the comic book. There were always two women in Peter Parker's life and the one constant was always Aunt May. I applaud the decision to make Otto Octavius a good man for once who becomes the victim of his own brilliance. His scientific discussions with Peter in their first meeting not only show his decency but also reveal to our hero the path he can take if he pursues science rather than crime fighting. After all, Otto is married to the lovely Rosalie (Donna Murphy), who is clearly the doctor's own MJ. Eventually Peter comes to the realization that he does not have to be Spider-Man. I have some ambivalence about what is happening with Mary Jane, mainly because one of my favorite scenes in the comic book was when she finally confessed to a stunned Peter that she knew he was Spider-Man and could no longer stand the fear that he was going to get killed. But I appreciate the idea that Mary Jane gets to be there from the beginning in the movies (as she is in Marvel's "Ultimate Spider-Man") and that Hollywood does not have time to go through Betty Brant and Gwen Stacy to get to Mary Jane Watson Parker and the final shot of Mary Jane in the film certainly gives weight to her character and reinforces again the idea that this time they got everything right.

My favorite Spider-Man movie.

Spider-Man 2 was already amazing, but the extended edition makes it even better! The extra scenes add more depth to Peter Parker’s struggles and relationships, and I felt even more connected to the characters this time around. Tobey Maguire delivers a fantastic performance, and Alfred Molina as Doc Ock is still one of the best comic book villains ever. The action scenes are just as intense and thrilling, especially the iconic train fight (still holds up!). This version gives more time to breathe, more emotion, and more of what made this movie so great in the first place. A must-watch for any Spider-Man fan. 5 stars, no question!

Superior sequel that deals with its themes effectively while striking the right balance between action and dramatic scenes - both complementing each other rather than drowning each other out. A Heidigger for beginners in its central character's awareness of his need for dasein for his crime fighting to be effective, it is markedly more parodic than its predecessor and so that much more enjoyable. Moreover, a more sensitive adaptation of the Spider-Man comic and less violent - as if the filmmakers gained confidence in an imperfect superhero; the first film being a rehearsal for the quality here. This combination of realism and fantasy is compelling. The usual post-9/11 politics of claiming that formerly-alienated New Yorkers now stick together against unspeakable evil - be it terrorism or whatever - is risible, but dramatically effective. A subtle analysis of the myth of the super hero from the point of view of a super coward. A personal hinterland requires a life divorced from punishing the bad guys but also entails hostages to fortune - those one loves. Peter Parker's alias is scared to take this gamble, yet becomes less effective as your "friendly neighborhood Spider Man". It is in the risk-taking that one becomes truly effective - as our hero learns while spending much time trying to run away from the very great privilege of his not inconsiderable abilities. The performance of J K SIMMONS as J Jonah Jameson is a comic standout in a film replete with running gags and in-jokes for the fans. The only real (minor) problem with this movie is its unrealistic violence: Those knocks that would badly bruise the likes of you and me hardly phase these characters. Well-characterized and well-acted. This is a superb love story about identity and the fear that revealing the truth about one's true self will result in the loss of that love; while also containing the realization that such revelation is necessary to make the love work at all.

Cinematic perfection. Molina as Doc Ock is a beautiful casting choice, the hospital murder scene has to be in my top five favorite scenes. The tentacles were an incredibly well-executed use of practical effects + CGI that set a milestone (imo). Tobey as Peter Parker is also fantastic, he brings a lot of life and a unique energy to the character that only flourishes as the series progresses. I only took a star off for MJ. This trilogy’s MJ is my least favorite ever. Don’t get me wrong, i love Kirsten Dunst, it’s just that Peter and MJ have no chemistry. Every romantic interaction of theirs feels confusing and forced. Neither of them can decide who they actually want to be with at any given moment, they’re both cheaters, the third movie only makes it worse. Peter was a better fit for Ursula Ditkovich, who actually had chemistry with him. That’s pretty much all i have to say.

This past week was the 10th Anniversary of one of the best and greatest Spider-Man movies ever, so in favor of that I decided to get a grab on the 2.1 cut (previously released before Spider-Man 3 happened) which includes scenes that was removed from the final cut - that we all know - due to time restraints. I have to take back everything I said blantantly about Spider-Man 2 for the last 8 years, it's still one of the BEST Spider-Man movies ever and one of the GREATEST comic book movies period. Looking back at this movie has alot more nostalgia than Spider-Man and Spider-Man 3 does. Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus, Peter's storyline in this, and the train sequence are the top 3 highlights that made this an excellent film. (Spider-Man 3 has nothing on this and can never top it), The only con I have to point out is the hokey amount of celebrity cameos and extras - Donnell Rawlings (Chappelle's Show) as the Pizza Witness, Emily Deschanel (Bones) as some recept., Hal Sparks in the elevator scene with Spider-Man, Daniel Dae Kim as a scientist during Octavius' demostration, Phil LaMaar (MadTV fame) in the train scene, and more famous (and some unsung) actors to name a few that have made cameos to overstuff the film to make this look like a downright comedy. Actually, come to think of it, other than the film's primary focus on its uber-serious moments, Spider-Man 2 DID feel like a comedy thanks to all of those actors that made appearances cameo after cameo after cameo after cameo. I bought the 2.1 Director's Cut DVD on the film's 10th Anniversary day (June 30) since the original DVD got damaged. I love the new features that wasn't released on the original. The Spider-Man 3-related extras, are a pass. Let's face it: Spider-Man 3 sucks. All of the above with the director's cut is that you get to see what scenes that were removed from the film earlier here like - *Extended versions of the Train sequence, Pizza delivery scene, Peter's visit to the nurse, Peter's vision of seeing Uncle Ben. *And rare scenes like J. Jonah Jameson wearing Spidey's suit in his office and Peter at Dr. Connors' class the first time.

When I found "Spider-Man 2.1" at Wal-Mart, I wasn't expecting much. Ever since "Lord of the Rings," extended DVDs of movies in franchise series have become the norm, and some are not very impressive. One thing that made me decide to get it was completely new Special Features. I'd bought the first two Spider-Man films earlier this year, and I hate getting a DVD with an altered movie but the same Special Features rehashed. The extended film is worth it! (Especially at $13) Instead of little bits where you immediately think "Oh, look, something new," the new bits of footage here are so seamlessly interwoven, most of the time I realized "That wasn't there before!" There's a longer talk between Harry and Peter during Pete's birthday party, which leads into Aunt May and MJ bringing in the cake. (I didn't pause to count the candles!) There's a new scene where a friend of MJ's asks her if she's sure she's with the right guy, strengthening the ending. The elevator scene is not extended: it's a completely different and longer version! I don't laugh at movies much, but this new scene dug up some chuckles! There are also new bits added to the fight on the train, as well as other bits. Because of the seamless integrating, I can't quite recall them all! I would have liked to have seen some other scenes extended: more about Aunt May would have been nice: in fact, after watching this, I found out there was a scene in some theatrical versions that had Peter call Aunt May near the end of the film, but for some reason she doesn't answer the phone, though she is seen hearing it ring. This would've been interesting, and helped further whet our appetites for "Spider-Man 3." However, there is nothing here that would make the movie go beyond a PG-13 rating, so if you're looking for more violence, blood, gore, nudity, or sexual or sensual material, it's not here. As above stated, some of the fight scenes are extended, but nothing worse than what was already in the movie. Regarding the Special Features, now: I haven't watched them all yet. Like I said before, the Special Features of the previous DVD are not repeated, but the menus are otherwise identical. Not even the Audio Commentary is the same. In fact, this time Producer Laura Ziskin and Screenwriter Alvin Sargent get to do the commentary. I'm an aspiring screenwriter myself, so I intend to listen to this commentary soon. From what the packages say, the Spidey Sense feature (I haven't used it on the other one) is at least enhanced, showing you behind the scenes footage. However, the shrinking of the movie to make it "Picture in Picture" can be annoying, especially if your DVD player pauses for a transition. There is one weak special feature: "Inside 2.1" just points out the new and extended scenes... really, shouldn't this be on the audio commentary? The other special feaures are "Sneak Peek: Spider-Man 3," "Multi-Angle: Danny Elfman's Score," "With Great Effort Comes Great Recognition," and "Visual Effects Breakdowns." If you're planning a "Spider-Man Party" before going to see "Spider-Man 3," get this one! You will not be disappointed!

Feeling Nostalgic. Rented good movie.

今から20年以上前の作品ですが4K-UHD化により画質、音質共に最新のレベル迄向上ドルビーアトモス音声も特にトリチウムが唸るシーンや爆発するシーン等は360°全方位からの凄まじい音圧で現在最高レベルの音響効果が味わえ画質も手で触れられそうな解像感で大満足です。

PERFETTO!

Fanático del Spiderman de tobey no podía faltar está joyita para mí colección...gran calidad

Watching from Sweden but obviously watching the movie in english. Great scan of the movie, available in english 7.1 Atmos and 5.1 DTS. The Atmos version is super immersive and you really get that pop out of the audio and picture quality. Im watching it on a OLED CX65 aswell as using a merdian soundbar from LG but playing the movie through my PS5, to me it sounds and looks incredible (Not an audiophile, more so visiual nerd). I am suprised at how good my PS5 works as an 4K blu ray player.

Arrived the next day and in great quality!