SPIDER-MAN 2 at HOLLYWOOD TEEN MOVIES

As if Peter Parker’s life isn’t difficult enough!

For starters, Peter (Tobey Maguire) struggles daily with his dual life, trying to keep his alter ego, Spider-Man a secret from the world - notably the love of his life, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). Peter is desperate to tell Mary Jane how he feels about her - and it’s obvious she wants to hear it - but he’s scared that, as the girlfriend of Spider-Man, her life would be in constant danger. Now Mary Jane has all but given up on Peter and has announced she is about to marry astronaut, John Jameson (Daniel Gillies).

There are also complications for Peter with his best friend, Harry Osborn (James Franco), still bitter because of his father’s death and Spider-Man’s involvement in it. And ever since the death of her husband, Peter’s Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) is having a hard time of it, too. On top of all this, Peter has just lost his pizza delivery job and his photo assignments for the Daily Bugle’s unpredictable and rambunctious editor - and father of Mary Jane’s fiancé - J Jonah Jamerson (JK Simmons) are always a bit “iffy”. With all this on his mind, it’s no wonder that his super hero powers are letting him down - sometimes with painful results.

Peter is thrilled when Harry introduces him to brilliant scientist, Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), the subject of a science paper Peter has written. Harry is backing Octavius’s radical experiments with fusion as a source of energy, but during a demonstration of the scientist’s work, something goes horribly wrong. Octavius’s loving wife, Rosalie (Donna Murphy) is killed and he is transformed into a multi-tentacled maniac with murder and destruction on his mind that appears to be ruled by the deadly appendages. Soon, the “Daily Bugle” dubs him Dock Ock.

Just as this new super villain goes on the rampage, Peter is re-evaluating the direction of his life and decides to give up his role as super hero for a normal life - hopefully one that includes Mary Jane.

Things don’t go quite as planned and Peter realises his destiny. Recovering his trashed Spider-Man outfit, the super hero returns to the streets to fight the bad guys. In the meantime, Harry, still seeking revenge for his father, has promised to supply Doc Ock with what he needs to resume his experiments if he delivers Spider-Man to him.

Although Peter/Spider-Man’s efforts to balance his double life cause him considerable angst and the film gives much consideration to relationship and character development, it is also chock-a-block with exhilarating, flat-out action, making it as good, if not better, than the first movie. There’s a rip-roaring sequence on board a runaway train, a breathless, dizzying rescue of Aunt May from the tentacles of Doc Ock high atop the city streets and an explosive climax - just to name a few of the highlights. The performances are tops all round - with Molina creating a great villain in the Doc - and there are also a couple of surprising plot turns before the final credits roll, setting up the groundwork for what could be a very interesting third chapter.

Spider-Man [DVD](2002) DVD
A bite from a genetically-altered arachnid turns timid high schooler Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) into a web-spinning wallcrawler who learns through tragedy to become a hero, in the hit screen rendition of Marvel Comics' flagship character. Kirsten Dunst is Parker's love interest Mary Jane Watson, and Willem Dafoe is scheming scientist Norman Osborne, who uses his technology to become the armored, bat-glider-riding Green Goblin. With Rosemary Harris, James Franco, J.K. Simmons, and Cliff Robertson; Sam Raimi directs. 121 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary by Raimi, Dunst, others; TV spots; music videos; documentaries; outtakes; screen tests;
Spider-Man 3 (2-Disc Special Edition) [DVD](2007) DVD
As Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) has his hands full dealing with life in the public eye and the effects of an alien symbiote that has attached itself to him in the form of a sleek new costume, he must also contend with a former friend (James Franco) who's adopted the mantle of the New Goblin, the granular goon the Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), and rival photographer Eddie Brock (Topher Grace), who joins with the alien to create the villainous Venom. Also stars Kirsten Dunst, J.K. Simmons, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Gwen Stacy. 139 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; music video; bloopers;
Spider-Man 2 (Widescreen Version) [DVD](2004) DVD
Two years after receiving his spider-powers, life hasn't gotten any easier for college student/crimefighter Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire). With his grades slipping and his personal life at an all-time low, Maguire hangs up his red and blue costume. But when New York is threatened by a new menace--tentacled terror Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina)--will Spidey return to save the day? Director Sam Raimi's smash hit sequel also stars Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons. 128 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; audio commentary; bloopers; "making of" documentary; featurettes; music