Spider-Man 2 (2004) Retrospective / Review 

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Rosemary Harris as Aunt May is so adorable. I loved it when she said, “Shame on you,” to Doc Octopus and hit him with her umbrella, saving Spider-Man from getting stabbed.

I can’t get enough of Jameson in this film. That laugh is the best.

Pizza time

WOAH, HE STOLE THAT GUYS PIZZA!

I don't mind Danny's music sounding similar to Batman and darkman, I mean it's not like people can't tell that the composer of Indiana Jones, Star Wars and Superman are all done by John Williams. If the music works, then it works, and I think Elfman fits perfectly.

Spider-Man 2- still the best nearly 15 years later!

When the new Spiderman movie came out there was a big bang of revisionist history all over the internet with regard to the quality of Spiderman 2. It was really odd. People really wanted everyone to unanimously agree that Homecoming was not only the best Spiderman film but also the best iteration of Spiderman ever. And to do that everyone was to damn the quality of Spiderman 2. "It was never really that good." "It was only good for the time." But that isn't true, it still really holds up. There's depth to the characters, a great story and acting, memorable moments, great action, ect.

Still the best Spider-Man movie to date. By far.

Tobey Maguire will always be the greatest Spider-Man. He had that captivating charisma. X-Men (2000), Spider-Man (2002), X2 (2003) and Spider-Man 2 (2004) are brilliant movies. That was an amazing era

To this day, I will never forget being wowed by the "car crashing in to the coffee shop" sequence for the first time. One of the best scenes in movie history imho.

Tobey Maguire is my favourite Spiderman.

Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus is one of the all time great antagonist performances in a major blockbuster. The guy's an incredible actor, even with smaller roles he has in movies; Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Raiders of the Lost Ark, etc.

Say what you will... This is one of the greatest superhero movies of all time.

Whenever you get to Spider-Man 3, don't forget to talk about the Editor's Cut.

Ever since I was six years old, this film has played a big part in my love of film and filmmaking. The best feeling in the world is when something you cherished as a child, becomes even better when you age. The structure, the emotions, the acting, it all comes together so beautifully in the finished piece.

The most relatable and spectacular Spider-man movie. Homecoming has got Nothing on this movie.

Excellent video! for me Spiderman 2 is not only the best Spiderman movie, but also one of the best super hero movies!

The new Spider-Man game clearly takes inspiration for Peter and Otto's relationship from Spider-Man 2.

For Stan Lee (1922-2018).

Goosebumps and tears, great review. And thanks Stan and Steve for this marvelous character.

Great review as always but I gotta say, I have to disagree with you about the films score. I think it's one of the greatest superhero scores, and I've never felt that Elfman's work ever felt any more samey than say that of Williams or Zimmer. He knows to give it a different flavour when it's The Flash, The Avengers and Spider-Man as opposed to Darkman and Batman. Mind you I am a bit of a fan. especially with his work for Oingo Boingo.

Unpopular opinion, This movie is better than Homecoming.

I like the idea of Peter later figuring out that the fusion reaction was unstable. He's a science whizz after all.

One of the best superhero movie ever made

I really enjoyed this review/retrospective, I hope that later on you will do a Spiderman 3 review/ retrospective.

I was 9 when this was released, and idk why but all that bad luck Peter had during the movie really hit me hard, even as a kid. His resolve made it so satisfying. MCU will never be this emotional.

Excellent video. Glad someone still respects this classic

Tom Holland may be a good Spider-Man. But Tobey IS Spider-Man!

Best Spider-Man movie.

THIS. IS. A. PERFECT. FILM. Edit: I'd say the Raimi Spider-Man movies are perfect (corniness and all), and kind of crap on everything being made today, but that's just like my opinion, man.

Still the film that truly defined Spider-Man and what the whole character was about. One of the best superhero films of all time for a good reason. The train sequence where he lost his mask is so rewarding in how it ends.

Please do a retrospective review of the rocky franchise

In part two, I always thought Aunt May knew Peter was Spiderman.

GREAT VIDEO!!! Also Avi Arad has continuously gotten in the way of all Spider-Man/Spider-Man-related projects and it's absolutely ridiculous at this point. It's a miracle that Raimi managed this masterpiece with all the restrictions placed on him

Spiderman 2 was freaking amazing! And the game was outstanding! Hands down, one of the best Spiderman movies and video games! Great review, Oliver! Looking forward to the Spiderman 3 review! :)

Can we please bring Sam Raimi back to direct a Spider-Man movie for the MCU? Because, from all the Spider-Man movies I've seen since his movies were ditched, I feel like no one actually wants to understand what's so important about Spider-Man and all the other filmmakers just don't have a clue. Sam Raimi understood that schmaltz and sincerity is what makes a Spider-Man story. His movies did not need to point out how they are silly and the character is silly and it's just better to poke fun at everything. That's what Homecoming did, and that's what I did not like it. It botched so many moments that had the potential of being emotional and compelling. That ending really pissed me off as a Spider-Man fan, because I just love the moment from the comics where Aunt May finds out that Peter is Spidey, and it's all played with a straight face and a ton of heart, while the movie version just makes a comedy gag out of it. Yeah, you can always revert back to "But Spider-Man 3 was horrible, man." Maybe it was. But he still made the first two movies great. And if we're going to judge a director's capabilities based on his failures, then the guy who is currently handling the Spider-Man movies, John Watts, should've never been appointed to direct a Spider-Man movie, since his first feature film was pure poop.

What an awesome movie this was! Thanks so much for this incredible footage. Spider-Man 2 (2004) will always be my favorite of the Spider-Man movies! 😁😁😁

Oh I think I had that McDonalds toy! I miss those days of happy meal merch!

Oliver, please please please do Rocky (1976) and gradually over time it’s sequels. I love your videos. I’d love to see detailed retrospectives of each. Thank you. I’ll donate for it 👍👍👍👍 your work is fantastic

This film always brings me back to the time, 2004 was a massive turning point for me in various ways so that's possibly why. I'll always think of it and the 2002 original film as being important to me because of the times they remind me of. I first saw SM2 in Canada and it blew me away. Possibly because of the nostalgia, hearing the ending themes and seeing Spidey swinging through the city always brings tears to the eyes. I love that Peter is at a low point in this film while MJ's career has taken off - it juxtaposes in a lovely way with SM3, when MJ's career has stalled, she's fired from her stage show and she has to see Peter as Spider-Man lap up all of the attention. I loved that for the third film they chose to show how famous Spider-Man has become - he's the New York celebrity now and has to cope with a jealous girlfriend. It's so sad to see Peter happy and oblivious to her frustration and anger over his innocent but in hindsight stupid choices, but also angering that she never actually explains things. However, lay off the score Oliver. The main theme is amazing and instantly recognisable as Spider-Man's theme. These films helped prepare the way (along with X-Men) for the MCU, whether people realise it or not. We simply wouldn't have had the MCU if it weren't for the success of these earlier films proving that the genre worked on the big screen.

I agree with everything you said, except the score thing, cuz it's one of the best scores to date. All the feeling are there : fear, regret, bravery and ofc Responsability! I don't get how you didn't like it.

Alfred Molina is always good. Damn, Sam, let Danny do his thing.

I think the kiss between Mary Jane and Spiderman in the rain is one of the great moments in cinema!

My personal favorite Spider-Man movie. It is a shame we never got to see a Spider-Man 4, 5 or 6. We could have finally have seen Rami's vision of the Lizard, Mysteto, Vulture and Black Cat.

It’s funny how Spider-Man fans always change which one is the best Sure they will be better movies but the Spider-Man franchise wouldn’t be the same without the Spider-Man 2s influence

I think Spiderman 2 is the definition of a great sequel.

Still the best superhero movie ever. Spider-Man is truly the greatest character.

It’s about time

10:18 That’s not Thomas Jane. That’s his stunt double.

Spider-Man 2 is one of the very peaks of this entire genre. Whether you are talking about comic book superhero movies or Blockbuster filmmaking, Spider-Man 2 is one of the most impressive movies from the Hollywood studios I've seen in the last 25 years

Awesome video. I swear this channel is criminally underviewed

I remember my dad talking me to see this after i got back from summer camp mabey thats why i like it so mutch

Homecoming may be the favorite for folks now a days. But this film had the train scene. And I have yet to see anything in a Spiderman film wow me like that did in the theater, much less any superhero film. Plus the casting for Jameson was about as perfect as you can get.

I would love to have a Clark/Kal-El/Superman- Peter/Spider-Man conversation with you. Keep up the Amazing Work. -Jay

The greatest superhero film ever made...

The best spiderman movie, fantastic story with a brilliant villain!

I absolutely ADORE the Sam Raimi Spiderman trilogy

26:35 that's one of the major things that you won't find in the Tom Holland movies. To me, the Raimi Spider-Man movies really do nail the quieter and more moving scenes. The emotional Danny Elfman theme and the emotions of the actor really make you feel something. Rosemarie Harris really does act like the guardian to Peter. And the way she acts make me emotional as well. But also the dialogue between MJ and Peter are lovely and sometimes gutwrenching as well.

Still the best Spider-Man movie. Three was shit. The two Garfield ones were boring. Homecoming was ok, making him much younger etc, so at least it was different. Multiverse was .... strange. Not really a Spider-Man movie it was a sci-fi movie that could have had any superhero slotted in.

I'll be honest, I never actually watched the first two of these Spider-Man films (somehow I was coerced into watching the third). I never paid much attention to them despite their popularity, but it seems like I actually missed out! I'll definitely have to check them out sometime, particularly this one. Regarding the game, it came out while I was working in game retail and I can vouch that it was a bit of a big deal at the time. We had it on our demo kiosks and were all wowed by the web slinging, there wasn't much else like it at the time. Super hero games weren't usually all that great for starters, and this one didn't just appear to be a good super hero game, but a good game in its own right.

Composer Danny Elfman first clash with director Sam Raimi

Rip Stan Lee 1922-2018

One of my childhood favorites. Thank you Oliver😁

Still the best superhero film for me, and this is after all the MCU films up to Endgame. Probably never will be bettered.

I found your thoughts on elfmans score was interesting I personally love it but I'm curious to know why you think it's too same to batman and darkman in more detail

Spider Man 2 may be one of the best superhero films, but Spider Man 3 is one of the best comedy films.

The first spider-man movie is my favorite but if have to say this one is technically a better film.

Quick watch it before it gets taken down by copyright BS!

he didn't mention the Joey Diaz cameo..disrespectful

Probably my favorite Spidey film of all time

Are you going to do Spider-Man 3?

this movie is a masterpiece and one of the best movies of all time

I didn’t even know there was a Michael buble Version if the spider man theme. When I found out about it I’ve been listening to it since you posted your review. Great as always Oliver and I can’t wait for the next one. Also good luck with ‘in search of the last action heroes’!

I don't think it was ever confirmed that Thomas Jane made a cameo. It does really look like him however.

Retrospective on The Punisher (2004)

Bit of an odd question Oliver, have you considered doing retrospectives on The X Men movies?

I always thought that the guy who played John Jameson should have been venom in Spider-Man 3. Peter stole his fiancée, his family hates Spider-Man, and he's an astronaut, it would have worked perfectly.

WHY IS THIS DAY SO GOOD? A SPIDER-MAN 2 RETROSPECTIVE AND A GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS TRAILER

funny that "Spider-Man 2" is the only Marvel Comics movie to have won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects, while others either didn't get any nominations, or were nominated (like the "Iron Man" films) but lost to other films

21:45 I recently used this Spider-Man theme for the background of a Miles Morales review haha Great video - Really appreciated the amount of detail you went into!

It's in 4K now so it's a great re-watch.

They should have done Spider-Man 4, 5, 6 with Tobey and Raimi.

I watched Spiderman 1 in the cinemas and I still to this day regret not watching Spiderman 2 in the cinemas. Spiderman 2, Batman Begins and Superman II are the top 3 greatest superhero movies ever made.

I totally agreed with you, Olive. I love this movie a lot. I asked myself a question: Why is "Spider-Man 2" the best sequel? Then I asked myself an answer: Great action sequences, incredible special effects, fabulous performances, best villain, and finally, a perfect adaptation of a comic book. If I were me, I could watch it again one last time and give a thumbs up. 10/10.

I still recall that early summer day walking out of that theater after the movie had ended. I was as lost as ever at that stage in my life. For all the bad hands Peter was dealt in both SM1 and SM2, just to see him finally have the girl of his dreams, the way he swung through New York in glee in the final shots, you’d swear he won the lottery - it drove home the message that true, obsessive, unconditional love really is more rewarding and satisfying than money or any other material wealth.. the movie made the 19 year old me really happy. It gave me a sigh of relief and hope for a better future almost no other superhero movie has done ever since, really. For all the guys praising dull, soulless, marvel movies while shitting on SM2, I wonder sometimes if we even live on the same planet. SM2 will be perfect in my eyes, it’s really a story that almost everyone can relate to, a universal story of love. This one movie alone beats almost every superhero movie ever produced by Disney combined.

That was my childhood movie back in 2004!

Please, please, please, please, PLEASE do King Kong 1976 so far!

Do a retrospective and review on titanic

Peter should’ve just told Harry he didn’t kill Norman

This film's video game adaption was the absolute best superhero video game up until Arkham Asylum in 2009. Played it probably 6 times on the GameCube.

I love love *love* that they went 2.35:1 for this film as opposed to 1.85:1 like the first film. Makes it feel like a step up in every way. Conveys more of an epic, serious tone.

Ah this movie gave us the most iconic meme in movie history "pizza time"

All these years later and I'm just now seeing Bleeker Street in Spider-Man 2. Add the reference to Doctor Strange and it's no wonder Raimi got the Multiverse of Madness job. Now if they have a cameo of Peter, Joe's Pizza (which apparently is real?) and cameo of that owner saying he's been there for close to 25 years or "Pizza Time!" it'd be a nice callback to Spider-Man 2.

This film will always be better than homecoming. The writers for Spider-Man 2 understood what makes Spidey, well... Spidey! Responsibility and consequences.

I preferred Homecoming to Rami's 1st (average) and 3rd (disjointed in tone) instalments, but SpiderMan 2 is certainly arguably the best 2000s superhero film alongside either Batman Begins or The Dark Knight.

I think in reality if you were trying to stop a train you would also look like you were trying to hold in crap.

Your editing always makes these movies look so much better. Even as great Spider-Man 2 is, you made it seem like the best movie to come out in 2004.

God I loved this film at the time and still do. I always suspected MJ and Aunt May knew or had a good idea that Peter was really Spider-Man (because of the kiss for MJ, and the voice/'taking pictures for him' for May). Also that JJJ's assistant knew too but didn't want to scupper Peter getting money for the photos. This version of Spider-Man will always be the definitive in most people's minds. The first reboot was terrible and made Peter Parker a catalogue model, not an average schoolkid. The MCU Spider-Man feels like a bit player in the grand scheme of things, a goddamn Iron Man sidekick. Spider-Man (like Batman) works in his OWN stories, you don't need any other superheroes around them. While that film works, in Infinity War seeing Spider-Man basically follow Iron Man around like a puppy and take all his cues from him was doing the character a small disservice. Spider-Man 2 was at the time and remains the best superhero/comic book film ever made. Nothing since has come close to how well this film was received at the time.

The first Superman, Spider-Man 2 and The Dark Knight are still the best super-hero movies till today. Sorry MCU...