Search - Spider-Man 2 [Fullscreen Special Edition]

Stan Lee's all-too-human superhero returns to the screen in this highly anticipated sequel to 2002's blockbuster hit Spider-Man. Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is attempting to juggle college classes and his job as a photographer with the Daily Bugle while maintaining his secret life as costumed crime-fighter Spider-Man. Parker is also struggling to hold on to his relationship with Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), who is beginning to enjoy success as a model and actress, and both Mary Jane and Peter have noticed he's beginning to buckle under the strain. Parker's friendship with Harry Osborn (James Franco) is also beginning to fray due to Peter's seeming alliance with Spider-Man, whom Harry blames for the death of his father, the nefarious Norman Osborn. As Parker weighs his responsibilities to himself and those around him against the obligations that come with his special powers, Spider-Man is faced with a new nemesis -- Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), a deranged scientist whose latest project has turned him into the near-invincible cyborg Doctor Octopus. Spider-Man 2 was directed by Sam Raimi, who helmed the first film, and much of the original cast has also reunited for this sequel, including Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, and Bruce Campbell. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Tobey Maguire - Peter Parker/Spider-Man
Kirsten Dunst - Mary Jane Watson
James Franco - Harry Osborn
Alfred Molina - Dr. Otto Octavius, AKA Doctor Octopus
Rosemary Harris - Aunt May
Donna Murphy - Rosalie Octavius

2004	Best Sound Editing (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Paul N.J. Ottoson
2004	Best Sound Mixing (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Kevin O'Connell
2004	Best Sound Mixing (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Greg P. Russell
2004	Best Sound Mixing (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Jeffrey J. Haboush
2004	Best Sound Mixing (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Joseph Geisinger
2004	Best Visual Effects (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	John Dykstra
2004	Best Visual Effects (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Scott Stokdyk
2004	Best Visual Effects (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Anthony LaMolinara
2004	Best Visual Effects (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	John Frazier

Everyone's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man swoops to DVD in this full-screen 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 a cropped full-frame image, the picture is full of brilliant hues and fine details that are sure to bring your superhero dreams to life as you watch it (even if you're missing most of the image that the recommended widescreen edition will deliver!). 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. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

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