Movie Review: SPIDER-MAN 2

starring: tobey maguire, kirsten dunst, alfred molina, james franco

*mild spoilers*

this is how all sequels should be done. new and improved!

'spider-man', that blockbuster summer smash back in 2002 was charming, moving and way cool. 'spider-man 2' is all that and more.

there were some scary moments, some hilarious moments, some moments in which peter parker: the nerd shows up, the obligatory blurry glasses and burning house moments, a mini-shoutout to tobey's seabiscuit back injury, and some real tear-jerking scenes.

spider-man 2 is mainly character driven, complimented by improved CG (still obviously fake at times, but what are you expecting?). tobey plays the much-maligned geek to the hilt, catching no breaks - there is some serious pathos. kirsten dunst, i felt, did alright. james franco was looking all kinds of hot (!!!), but was a rather minor character (more of him in spider-man 3, of course). alfred molina, usually a background character, is put in the spotlight and he delivers, so whatever fame will now come his way now is much deserved.

things of note: glynnis from joan of arcadia makes a few appearances, korean guy on the board of directors of wolfram and hart from angel also appears. of course there's jockser from xena. are new yorkers really that friendly? awesome headline: "(New York) crime rate up 75% - the daily bugle". the first song played for the credits: vindicated - dashboard confessional!!!!

4 1/2 out of 5