Spider-man 2 is definitely better than the first one. The way they combined action and drama with subtle hints of comedy is very effective. Although sometimes, Tobey can be a little bit stoic, but then, it fits the theme of the movie. Kirsten Dunst is impeccable. Same goes with Alfred Molina, J.K. Simmons, and Rosemary Harris. However I had the surprise of my life -- not on the way the movie ended or any Spidey-related scenes -- when I saw two actors who have been part of one of my fave TV Shows. I'm talking about Ted Raimi (Hoffman) and Bruce Campbell (snooty usher). They have been guest stars in the now-defunct Xena: Warrior Princess as Joxer and Autolycus, respectively. BTW Sam Raimi, director of the Spidey movies, developed XWP and is Ted Raimi's older brother. No wonder they were part of the cast huh?

Some trivia from IMDB.com:

• Ted Raimi added the line to the Spider-Man 2 script where Spider-Man complains about his back.


• Bruce Campbell baby-sat Ted Raimi and Sam Raimi


• Producers of Spider-man actually wanted Heath Ledger to play Peter Parker, but Sam Raimi insisted on Tobey Maguire. Mary Jane Watson was initially offered to Kate Hudson, who refused the role in favor of the epic flop The Four Feathers. Ironically, Ledger also starred in that ill-advised project.


• Daniel Gillies (who plays the astronaut-fiance of Mary Jane) is the real-life fiance of actress Rachael Leigh Cook.


• Lastly, Spider-man 3 is scheduled for a May 2007 release!

Also, the lines Peter recited to MJ were taken from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha, Chapter 2 The Four Winds:

In his life he had one shadow,

In his heart one sorrow had he.

Once, as he was gazing northward,

Far away upon a prairie

He beheld a maiden standing,

Saw a tall and slender maiden

All alone upon a prairie;

Brightest green were all her garments,

And her hair was like the sunshine.

Day by day he gazed upon her,

Day by day he sighed with passion,

Day by day his heart within him

Grew more hot with love and longing

For the maid with yellow tresses.

But he was too fat and lazy

To bestir himself and woo her.

Yes, too indolent and easy

To pursue her and persuade her;

So he only gazed upon her,

Only sat and sighed with passion

For the maiden of the prairie.

*sigh*

Oh don't you just love the artworks featured at the start of the movie? Here's the official website of the artist, Alex Ross.

On an another note, here's a Matrix find:

A 10 DVD Collector's Set to be released on December!!! Eeep!

Thanks Rej for the link.