Spider-man 2

Continuing on our Spider-man kick, yesterday we watched Spider-man 2 (technically, the extended version, Spider-man 2.1).

Living a double life has its drawbacks; nothing seems to be going right for Peter Parker. He's nearly failing school, the love of his life is dating another, and financial woes continue to plague him and his Aunt May. He starts to question: why can't he have what he wants? Does he really have to be Spider-man? Maybe it's time to hang up the suit.

A brilliant scientist, Doctor Otto Octavius is nearing a monumental breakthrough in a clean energy source. But when a demonstration gone awry leaves four autonomous mechanical arms welded to his body and in control of his mind, he becomes a menace nobody may be able to stop- not even Spider-man.

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I really liked this movie "back in the day" (it was released in 2004). It has held up pretty well- perhaps not as good as I remembered it, but solid nonetheless. I loved most of the characters (especially portraying Parker in his angst), but what endeared this to me was its exploration of choice vs. destiny. Can Peter Parker choose to walk away from Spider-man, or will his power compel him to use it? What about all of us- we all have talents ('powers')- what are they for? Must we use them?

Also prevalent is the idea of finite capacity. Peter struggles, in part, from trying to do too much, and keep too much from those he loves. He distances himself to focus on his responsibilities. But need that be the case? And do a multitude of duties- to the city, to loved ones, and more- mean that he has to make difficult choices, and (in fact) cannot do it all?

The film doesn't always have the right answers, but it has some good ones, and is more story/character-driven than most movies in this genre. It remains one of my favorites.

Rating: A