Spider-Man 2: Critic Reviews

This triumphant sequel to the hard-to-top 2002 original may be the first great comic-book movie in the age of self-help and CGI wizardry, an entertainment in which both the thrills and the therapeutic personal growth are well earned.

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 honest feelings.

Has something for everyone.

As fine a repeat experience as our foolish, creativity-challenged tradition of sequelizing allows.

Maguire, with his dim eyes and his forlorn voice, gives the movie an emotional center utterly rare for this sort of thing.

This sequel is a more complete, not to mention more complex, experience.

The movie's first half is talky bordering on tiresome -- endlessly rehashing the same mix of frustrated puppy love, survivor guilt, and identity crisis.

Spider-Man 2 is a perfect blend of summer action, a big movie with a deeply personal story.

A lot of talent to lavish on a single movie, but the result is uncommonly smart for the genre, and not just smart but tremendously enjoyable.

Sensational enough for power-fantasy fans, it also tells a strong story that tugs agreeably on our heartstrings.

The best comic book-styled adventure since the 23-year-old Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Easily the most fun movie of the summer, an all-ages show that crawls deep into the heart.

It improves on the first one: better action, better comedy.

Like the first installment, refreshingly perverse in its intent.

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

Until it develops a bad case of verbosity toward the end, it improves upon its predecessor in almost every way, delivering flashier thrills while digging deeper into its characters and adding an overlay of wit.

Raimi is good with the details.

A deeply satisfying and involving sequel.

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

Well worth seeing for comic and action fans, but let's hope for a lower hand-wringing quotient next time around.

As visually stunning and loyal to character development as the first film.

Spider-Man 2 is much more a grown-up love story than its predecessor.

Crackerjack entertainment from start to finish.

Sequels don't get much better -- or smarter -- than the action-, drama-, romance- and comedy-packed Spider-Man 2.

The new, improved SM2 has a far smoother narrative line, as well as more amazing special effects, including even more terrific swinging.