With so many Spider-Man sequels and reboots, it is difficult to choose a favorite from the lot. Nevertheless, one film from the web-head’s franchise has stood the test of time - Spider-Man 2. From its fight scenes, impactful reveals, the forbidden romance, to the building rivalry between Peter Parker and his enemies, Spider-Man 2 has all the action and drama needed for a fun movie-watching experience. Here is why Spider-Man 2 is the best Spider-Man sequel to date.
Lost Powers
Sony Pictures Releasing
Spider-Man movies are notorious for dealing their titular superhero significant loss. From fallen family members, unattainable love, and near-death experiences, Spider-Man movies never fall short when it comes to tragedy. But Spider-Man 2 does what no other Spider-Man installment has before it–it strips its hero of his superpowers. Early into the film’s second act, Peter loses his powers mid-battle and after some research, discovers that it is a stress-induced reaction. Instead of trying to regain his powers, Peter takes the opportunity to lead a normal life. For the first time since donning his Spider-Man alter-ego, Peter’s attention shifts to academics, family, and notably, his strained relationship with Mary Jane: herein lies this movie’s greatness.
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Superhero flicks typically focus on its hero fighting a seemingly unbeatable villain while trying to save a big city or/and their love interest: Spider-Man 2 narrates Peter Parker’s day-to-day activity for a majority of the film. From touching moments with Mary Jane to heart-felt conversations with his Aunt May, Peter is a man with an entire life he’s put on hold for too long. While Peter’s powers do return when Mary Jane is in danger once again, it’s moving to see the deprived superhero enjoy basic human interactions for a while.
Villain to Anti-Hero
Superheroes battle villains of all shapes and tenacity. Spider-Man 2 presents audiences with one of the most complex and dangerous villains in the early 2000s superhero genre–Doctor Otto Octavius. Unlike Spider-Man’s former nemesis, The Green Goblin, Otto Octavius is someone Peter actually admires and respects. During a botched experiment, Octavius’s body is taken over by a mechanical harness and his wife is killed. Devastated and manipulated by the harness’s AI, Octopus decides to finish his experiment no matter the cost. From bank-robbing, abducting Mary Jane, to nearly killing both Peter and Mary Jane in the film’s climax, Octavius is relentless in his pursuits. But—he is still a human with an inner-conflict. When discovering Spider-Man’s true identity and recognizing Peter as an academic enthusiast of his work, Octavius begs Peter to help him destroy the lethal reactor he built, sacrificing himself to save Peter, Mary Jane, and New York City. More than a villain, Otto Octavius is an anti-hero consumed by an ambition to further his life’s work.
The Stakes
Spider-Man 2 amplifies its stakes compared to its predecessor. Peter has everything to lose as Spider-Man from his job, his college placement, and his few relationships with friends and remaining family. During his temporary “superhero block,” Peter deals with the shortcomings being Spider-Man resulted in. Mary Jane doesn’t trust him as a friend, Harry grows obsessed with finding Spider-Man to make him pay for his father’s demise, and Aunt May deals with forgiving Peter for his part in Uncle’s Ben’s death. When regaining his powers, Peter must choose between maintaining any semblance of a normal life or fighting for the general safety of those around him. There isn’t a single moment in this film where its hero doesn’t have some life-altering decision pending.
Alter-Ego Reveal
An alter-ego reveal finds its way into almost every superhero movie, but Spider-Man 2 breaks it down for emotional effect. A penultimate battle with Octavius results in Peter’s mask being ripped off and him losing consciousness on a subway. When civilians gather around to check if he’s still breathing, they see Peter’s face for the first time, realizing he’s “just a kid.” During the film’s climax, Peter unmasks himself to Octavius to reason with him, revealing himself to Mary Jane as well. Aunt May hints throughout the film that she knows Peter and Spider-Man are the same person. The alter-ego reveal is a subtle build-up, but one that audiences can truly rejoice in by the film’s conclusion.
Redemption
Regardless of the genre, any good film requires its hero to undergo a redemption. While Spider-Man closes with Peter abandoning the possibility of romance to honor Uncle Ben’s message “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility,” this sequel adds another layer to it. As Peter sits on his bed contemplating a life without Mary Jane as she’s about to get married, Mary Jane runs into his apartment unexpectedly. After a brief monologue, Mary Jane assures Peter that it’s her decision to stay by his side regardless of the risks. Following a passionate embrace, Peter web-slings into action once again to save New York City, with Mary Jane contemplating the weight of her decision. This bitter-sweet happy ending provides a feel-good redemption instead of the usual tearjerker finale most superhero installments offer. Overall, Spider-Man 2 is an emotional rollercoaster that gives its superhero his payoff after countless sacrifices, a rightfully deserved one at that.
