Spider-Man 2 [WS] [Special Edition] [2 Discs]

Overview

"Everyone's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man swoops to DVD in this widescreen special edition of the highly energized sequel from 20th Century Fox. With exquisite extras and spectacular picture and sound, this two-disc is a worthy buy for just about everyone. First off is the technical angle, in which this disc truly shines. Presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the image is full of brilliant hues and fine details that are sure to bring your superhero dreams to life as you watch it. Additionally, the 5.1 Dolby Digital sound is an absorbing home-theater experience that's been meticulously created for this disc, and it does not disappoint. On the extras front, the fun starts with two different commentaries that are packed with anecdotes and stories from the production. The first track includes two separate recording sessions -- one from director Sam Raimi and Spidey himself, Tobey Maguire, and the other with Marvel producer-extraordinaire Avi Arad and co-producer Grant Curtis. This track is full of fun banter between the director and star, while the other two give good detail on the hows and whys of the moviemaking process. For more in-depth tech-talk, check out the technical commentary, headed by a few other sliced-together sessions that include effects-maestros John Dykstra and Steve Johnson, among others. The track is especially insightful when you begin to realize just how many of the effects were split between practical mechanical effects and CGI. Also included on the first disc is a blooper reel, a music video by Train, movie previews, web featurettes from the film's website, and a ""Spidey Sense 2"" trivia track that is stuffed with enough facts on the comic and the movie that it's almost overwhelming. Disc two contains the bulk of the extras, starting with the ""Making the Amazing"" 12-part documentary. This whopping two-hour making-of is one of the best in-depth and entertaining looks at a film that has graced the DVD world. After a bit of your usual PR-type talk in the beginning about the first film, this feature then dives head first into all of the separate departments as they pieced the movie together; this is highly recommended viewing for anyone who enjoys this type of stuff. Three featurettes can also be found on this second disc, all of which hold up the same quality as well. The highlight of the three would have to be the ""Ock-Umentary"" 20-minute special, which takes the viewer step-by-step through how the filmmakers were able to bring Doc Ock to life, from the pre-production process through the on-set puppeteering that set the stage for all of the CGI polishes later on. Other bonus features on the disc include a multi-angle feature that delves into a few effects-heavy sequences in the film, with other areas dedicated to Activision's exceptional *Spider-Man 2 video game. Finally, comic artist Alex Ross has been given a gallery all his own that showcases his stunning paintings featured in the opening credit sequence. Also available in fullscreen, Superbit, and a Collector's DVD Gift Set, this release is a fantastic buy and a perfect gift for any fan of the film. In perfect double-dip fashion, Sony has plans to release a Spider-Man 2.5 as well, featuring extended sequences created solely for the DVD under Raimi's supervision. Until that comes out, there's plenty to love on this release, so don't be afraid to wait for the second release -- unless you like to torture yourself and miss out on a whole lot of great stuff."

Product Details

Release Date:	11/30/2004
UPC:	0043396051492
Original Release:	2004
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	SONY PICTURES
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Dolby Digital Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	2:08:00
Sales rank:	39,607

Special Features

Closed Caption;Commentary with director Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire, producer Avi Arad, and co-producer Grant Curtis; Technical commentary; Blooper reel; "Spidey Sense 2" trivia track with "pop-up" facts and trivia about the film and the world of Spider-Man; Four Web-i-sodes: Original online featurettes from the film's theatrical release; Train "Ordinary" music video; Previews; "Making the Amazing": A 12-part documentary from pre-production to the Hollywood premiere; "Hero in Crisis": A deeper look into Peter Parker and his personal battles in the continuing story of Spider-Man; Ock-Umentary: "Eight Arms to Hold You" -- A special look at Doc Ock from the comics to the big screen; "Interwoven: The Women of Spider-Man": A look into the lives of Mary Jane, Aunt May, and the other women in Peter Parker's life; "Enter the Web": A groundbreaking multi-angle look behind the scenes at the climactic Pier sequence captured in real time; Art gallery: A collection of Alex Ross' paintings used in the opening credits of the film; Activision's "Spider-Man 2: Spinning the Game" -- A behind-the-scenes look at the making of "Spider-Man 2: The Game"; Web links

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Tobey Maguire	Spider-Man
Kirsten Dunst	Mary Jane Watson
James Franco	Harry Osborn
Alfred Molina	Doc Ock
Rosemary Harris	May Parker
J.K. Simmons	J. Jonah Jameson
Donna Murphy	Rosalie Octavius
Daniel Gillies	John Jameson
Dylan Baker	Dr. Curt Connors
Bill Nunn	Joseph 'Robbie' Robertson
Vanessa Ferlito	Louise
Aasif Mandvi	Mr. Aziz
Willem Dafoe	Green Goblin
Cliff Robertson	Ben Parker
Theodore Raimi	Hoffman,University Student with Bag
Elizabeth Banks	Miss Brant
Gregg Edelman	Dr. Davis
Elya Baskin	Mr. Ditkovitch
Mageina Tovah	Ursula
Daniel Dae Kim	Raymond
Hal Sparks	Elevator Passenger
Joel McHale	Mr. Jacks
Stan Lee	Man Dodging Debris
Kelly Connell	Dr. Isaacs
Brent Briscoe	Garbage Man
Emily Deschanel	Receptionist
Jason Fiore-Ortiz	Henry Jackson
Scott Spiegel	Man on Balcony
Andy Bale	OsCorp Executive
Christine Estabrook	Mrs. Jameson
Molly Cheek	Society Woman
Joy Bryant	Woman at Web
Joanne Baron	Skeptical Scientist
Peter McRobbie	OsCorp Representative
Tim Jerome	Injured Scientist
Taylor Gilbert	Mrs. Watson
Peter Vouras	Stage Manager
Donnell Rawlings	Pizza "Heist" Witness
Zachry Rogers	Boy saved by Spider-Man,Girl saved by Spider-Man,Fireman
Louis Lombardi	Poker Player
Marc John Jefferies	Amazed Kid
Roshon Fegan	Amazed Kid
Brendan Patrick Connor	Theater Traffic Cop
Reed Diamond	'Algernon'
Dan Callahan	'Jack'
Elyse Dinh	Violinist
John Landis	Doctor
Tim Storms	Chainsaw Doctor
Susie Park	Clawing Nurse
Tricia Peters	Screaming Nurse
Michael Edward Thomas	Man at Fire
Anne Betancourt	Woman at Fire
Venus Lam	Child in Burning Building
Joe Virzi	Fireman
Jopaul Epp	Boy with Mask
Peter Allas	Train Passenger
Bill Calvert	Train Passenger
Tony Campisi	Train Passenger
Joey Diaz	Train Passenger
Chloe Dykstra	Train Passenger
Simone Gordon	Train Passenger
Dan Hicks	Train Passenger
Julia Max	Train Passenger
Savannah Pope	Train Passenger
Timothy Patrick Quill	Train Passenger
Jill Sayre	Train Passenger
Rickey G. Williams	Train Passenger
Mike Arthur	NYPD Officer
Frank Bonsangue	Pizza Man
Cindy Cheung	Chinese Daughter
Phil LaMarr	Train Passenger
Andre M. Johnson	Fireman 2,Planetarium
Peter Cincotti	Piano Player in Planetarium
Peyton List	Little Girl Playing on Steps,Little Boy Playing on Steps
Brooke Adams	Felicia Hardy
Troy Metcalf	Blue Collar Guy
Bonnie Somerville	Actor
Scott Ross	Pedestrian
Jason Ortiz	Henry
Wesley Volcy	Columbia University Student
Lou Volpe	Man at Web
Garrett Warren	Bearded Doctor
Joseph M. Caracciolo	Priest at Mary Jane's Wedding
David Boston	Pedestrian
Sho Brown	Passenger
Grant Curtis	Hot Dog Vendor
Vinny Capone	Victim
Jean Lebell	Train Passenger
Joseph Nelson	Extra
Ronn Ozuk	Cop
Denney Pierce	Train Passenger
Randy Reinholz	Train Passenger
Rachelle Roderick	Jane, Engineer
Douglas Swander	Train Passenger
Jimmy Star	Reporter
Jack Wetherall	Train Passenger
Ken Wharton	Uptight Businessman
Lee Cogburn	Train Passenger
Danny Elfman	Composer

Technical Credits

Alvin Sargent

Sam Raimi	Director
Alvin Sargent	Screenwriter
Lorne Orleans	Producer
Laura Ziskin	Producer
Avi Arad	Producer
Joseph M. Caracciolo	Executive Producer
Kevin Feige	Executive Producer
Stan Lee	Executive Producer
Lisa Hannan	Sound Effects
Anthony LaMolinara	Special Effects
Joseph M. Carraciolo	Executive Producer
Kevin O'Connell	Sound/Sound Designer
Jeffrey Haboush	Sound/Sound Designer
Joseph Geisinger	Sound/Sound Designer
Greg Russell	Sound/Sound Designer
Paul Ottoson	Sound/Sound Designer
Grant Curtis	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Another of those infrequent sequels that just might be better than the original, Spider-Man 2 not only offers a surfeit of spectacular action sequences but also advances the first film's romantic subplot and continues to develop its principal characters. In Tobey Maguire, director Sam Raimi has a soulful young actor perfectly suited to convey the angst of the crusading superhero Spider-Man -- honor bound to serve humanity, yet deeply resentful that this responsibility exacts an onerous toll on his personal life. As the film opens, Peter Parker (Maguire) is struggling to keep up with both his college studies and his part-time job as a freelance photographer, while fighting crime as Spider-Man. His old flame, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), now a successful model and actress, still has feelings for Peter -- but he holds her at arm's length, fearful of engaging in a romance that could end tragically if his enemies learn of their relationship. And then there's his best pal, Harry Osborn (James Franco), who blames Spider-Man for the death of his father and has vowed revenge, not knowing that Peter is actually the web-crawler he seeks. Over-the-top villainy is supplied by Doctor Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), a brilliant scientist who goes mad when mechanical tentacles become welded to his body in a laboratory accident. There's enough plot for two movies, with the doctor's depredations at times taking a backseat to the Peter/Harry/Mary Jane psychodrama. But Raimi is a proficient director, and he juggles the disparate story elements with admirable dexterity. The characters' interplay gives Spider-Man 2 a third dimension that most comic-book movies could use: It's fun to watch costumed combatants whaling the tar out of each other, but emotional underpinnings help make the physical conflicts more satisfying. As in the first film, Raimi and his special-effects team rely heavily on computer-generated imagery to give the fight scenes a larger-than-life quality. As a result, the sequel's visuals are, if anything, even more sophisticated than those of the original. Spider-Man 2, however, should never be mistaken for eye candy; it's an enormously satisfying adventure film for the kids that adults will find surprisingly affecting and enjoyable.