Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, J.K. Simmons

Two years have passed since the mild-mannered Peter Parker walked away from his longtime love Mary Jane Watson and decided to take the road to responsibility as Spider-Man. Peter must face new challen...( read more  read more... )ges as he struggles to cope with "the gift and the curse" of his powers while balancing his dual identities as the elusive superhero Spider-Man and life as a college student. The relationships Peter holds most dear are now in danger of unraveling as he clashes with the powerful, multi-tentacled villain Doctor Octopus aka "Doc Ock." Peter's life-long yearning for M.J. becomes even stronger as he fights the impulse to abandon his secret life and declare his love. In the meantime, M.J. has moved on with her life. She has embarked on an acting career and has a new man in her life. Peter's relationship with his best friend Harry Osborn has been overshadowed by Harry's growing vendetta against Spider-Man, whom he holds responsible for his father's death. Peter's life becomes even more complicated when he is pitted against a powerful new nemesis, Dr. Otto Octavius-- "Doc Ock." Peter must now learn to accept his fate and harness all his superhero talents in order to stop this diabolical madman in his octagonal tracks.

Flixster Users

81% liked it

1,048,442 ratings

Critics

94% liked it

231 critics

PG-13, 2 hrs. 7 min.

Directed by: Sam Raimi

Release Date: June 30, 2004

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DVD Release Date: November 30, 2004

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Stats: 54,584 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (54,584)


  • October 10, 2006
    It blows the first movie out of the water, completely. Faster, funnier, more thrilling, more emotional, and more adrenline-pumping than the first.
  • September 18, 2009
    The first Spider-Man movie did a lot of things well, but Spider-Man 2 does all those things even better. The decision to include Doctor Octopus was a great one, and his translation from page to screen was perfect. The action scenes are huge and very impressive, there's a lot of h...( read more)umor, and Tobey Maguire is supremely well-suited to play Peter Parker. I still have a hard time accepting Dunst as MJ, but otherwise, Spider-Man 2 is all I could have hoped for.
  • August 27, 2009
    Spider-man 2, I feel, was much better than the first. Alfred Molina was a fantastic Dr. Octopus and the story progressed quite nicely. It also stuck close to the comic which was appreciated by us comic fans (Who knew quite quickly, and got over the fact quite quickly, that the fi...( read more)lm was never going to live up to what we'd hoped for).
  • July 18, 2009
    The best of the trilogy. Dr Oct is really cool looking and played well by Molina and the action and effects hit the mark. Its just about right, its alittle darker and you can follow it, its not too long. The train sequence is very good and the tentacles of Octopus really work wel...( read more)l, they could have been really stupid looking. This saved the franchise.
  • May 5, 2009
    "I will not die a monster."

    Critics loved it, fans loved it. 'Spider-Man 2' is the best of the trilogy. It's got more action, more drama, better special effects and Spider-Man's greatest nemesis of 'em all... Doctor Octopus!

    The story continues directly from where the first one...( read more) ended. Harry seeks vengeance for his father's death so fiercely that it will have an impact on Pete's and Harry's friendship. Mary Jane is still confused of her feelings and once again plays with two men at the same time. One of 'em will have his heart broken and the other one gets the redhead.

    But enough of that drama. The film introduces us Dr Otto Octavius, the brilliant scientist who by a freak accident loses his love and turns into Doc Ock. I've always held Ock as the most interesting and dangerous archenemy of Spider-Man. He's also known as Spidey's first true opponent. Little did we now how much of an impact he'd have on both Peter Parker's and Spider-Man's life... Alfred Molina does a wonderful job as Dr Octavius. Like in the first installment to the franchise, the villain once again almost steals the show from the superhero.

    James Franco as Harry Osborn gets a bit more screen time because of the inevitable transformation to the second Green Goblin. But one who should have had less screen time is once again Kirsten Dunst as MJ. I just don't like the on-screen version of MJ that much. I mentioned this also in the review of the first 'Spider-Man' but I guess I just can't get over it. I miss the fiery, confident, full of life version that's in the comic.

    There are several scenes in 'Spider-Man 2' that I can watch over and over again. My favourite scene is probably the train scene where Doc and Spidey battle each other. In the end of that scene, where Spidey gives everything he's got to save the innocent New Yorkers, there's a lot of emotion. One thing gave me mixed feelings; the fact that Spidey revealed his secret identity. But as the unconscious Spidey's being moved by the passengers it's obvious that they had appreciated his effort of saving them that they had no need to reveal his identity. And once again the city of NY is ready to help their hero but this time they have a meaner opponent...

    "You want to get to him, you gotta go through me!
    - Very well..."

    Everything in this movie is better than in the first one. And that's much to say as I sincerely loved the first one! Sam Raimi, the director, and the cast know their characters and the world of Spidey better and are simply more comfortable in their parts. The SFX crew are also more familiar with the requirements on how to create a convincing Spider-Man. They've also done a magnificent job on Doctor Octopus.

    For me, 'Spider-Man 2" is one of the best comic book filmings I've seen. May even be the best of the bunch? The film is a perfect example on how to make a spectacular superhero movie and a movie for true fans. To me, 'Spider-Man 2' is a film that I can watch over and over again, and enjoy it as much as I did on the first time. And I actually do that every year as I have my Spider-Man marathon...

    It's appropriate to end the review with words by Norman Osborn to his son Harry...

    "Avenge me!"

    Next, 'Spider-Man 3'.
  • November 16, 2009
    Possibly one of my favorite movies of all time. Epic, fantastic, and oddly relate able for a movie about a superhero.
  • November 16, 2009
    the best one in my opinion
  • November 16, 2009
    This is the second time I have seen this and I really like it.This film was well delivered with a very nice storyline about spiderman.It starts off by telling the story of spiderman who fights a enermy on a train and save anyone who is in danger and is struggling to live.
    It as ...( read more)some beautiful acting performances that were a plessure to watch and was well delivered.
    The only problem I had with this film was I don't think they told enough of a story about Spiderman.As it is called spiderman I don't think they showed him enough in the spiderman suit like the other one and the film was a bit too short.
    However this film is worth watching and was very well done it is worth watching and I look forward in seeing the 3rd one it just wasn't outstanding but really good.
  • November 13, 2009
    The Best Super Hero Film Sequel for me.
  • November 12, 2009
    Not as good as the first, but they needed to make a second one. A good remake of the Marvel Comic classic :)

Critic Reviews


May 4, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

A sensational summer treat. full review

August 1, 2004
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker

Like the first installment, refreshingly perverse in its intent. full review

June 29, 2004
David Edelstein, Slate

Spider-Man 2 has the cleanest emotional arc of any comic-book movie, ever. For all the simulation, it breathes. full review

June 29, 2004
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

This is undoubtedly the most fun you'll have at the multiplexes this season, or maybe even this year. full review

June 29, 2004
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Smart, fun entertainment made by people who took nothing for granted, including the audience. full review

June 29, 2004
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Spider-Man 2 won't just grab your guts -- it will take your heart. full review

June 29, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The best superhero movie since the modern genre was launched with Superman (1978). full review

June 28, 2004
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Spider-Man 2 is full of bright colors, emphatic noises and elaborate special effects. That much is to be expected. But its distinguishing features, I'm happy to report, are strong characters and hones... full review

June 15, 2004
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Spider-Man 2 is all you can ask for in summer fun. full review

View more Spider-Man 2 reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • bon21jovi
    March 6, 2009
    The most forgettable spider-man movie!!!The first was interesting,showing how all began and having good fight scenes between spidey and goblin..The third is the most thrilling,with three villains against spidey and the best special effects I've ever seen...Also touching in the end when Harry dies...Finally,I can't think of any advantages of this second spider-man movie...Many years from now,this is gonna be the least favorite for the fans!
  • pavacri23
    May 31, 2008
    i think the third one was a lot better than this one the villain in this one sucks
  • sportboy
    November 8, 2007
    I liked the film
  • taiwopopoola
    August 25, 2007
    cool
  • tanktam93
    June 20, 2007
    pretty cool movie, but as a villian, dr octopus suks
  • neozabuza
    June 14, 2007
    MizasterJ: being a superhero is not all fun and games, getting the girl, jumping around beating up bad guys. He has his life too, it's not just all appearances. He has problems being Spider-Man and that shows. Just because you wanted something else doesn't that that would have made it a good movie. Just look at Fantastic Four, I'm sure you think that movie deserves a 5/5, don't you?
  • mikewallburn
    May 23, 2007
    I agree the thrid movie was not as well complied and put togther as the second one was. Spiderman 2 was for me the best out of the three movies.
  • xXxHeArTsxXx
    May 14, 2007
    I think this was better than the 1st! and the 1st was sooo good! I loved this movie! It really is a shame that the 3rd is not as good as this one...
  • artisticboy92
    May 6, 2007
    the first spiderman movie was A LOT better..this one had a weaker storyline, i didn't care much for the villain in comparison to the green goblin, the acting was decent, although the ending scene where harry discovers who his father truly was and what he must carry on is awesome
  • zombiesatemyretro
    May 4, 2007
    Superb sequal to an excellent film. Sam Raimi outdid himself & retained all the elements of the comics from both the 60's & modernday. Alfred Molina was incomprable as Doc Ock as was JK Simmons as J Jonah Jameson. Tobey Maguire added more depth to Peter, making him seem more human than the first. & this was the first time we actually saw Aunt May in peril, which was great, Stan did it all the time back in the day. 10/10

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Spider-Man 2 Trivia


  • What Movie did Spiderman defeit Doc. Oc?  Answer »
  • in which movie of spiderman Toby Macguire fights with "Doc Oc"???   Answer »
  • In which Spiderman movie did Spidey battle Doctor Octavious?  Answer »
  • How Many arms did Doc Oc have in Spider-Man 2?  Answer »

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