Spiderman 2 -- 2004 -- PG-13

This film was incredible given its genre. Super hero films tend to be rather one dimensional with little hope given to their action over substance ratio, but Spiderman 2 gives us not only the action required, but a solid character tale as well of Peter Parker struggling with his role of Spiderman versus his desire to be with Mary Jane.

The primary characters are well defined and even sympathetic. The relationship lines drawn between Peter and MJ are also very well done. In many ways, you can feel the tension between them.

The villains are well drawn as well and each believes that what they are doing is right. No one is evil for the sake of being evil. Just determined to do what they want to do.

The final scenes between Peter and MJ are downright touching based on the characters and relationships that have been built to this point. Spiderman's character was absolutely humanized and fused with Peter Parker which served to make the whole thing even more endearing and relatable. This was more than a superhero film; this was a character analysis of Spiderman.

It did suffer a bit from one cliche. Peter decides to not be Spiderman anymore and leaves it all behind for awhile. The audience knows he won't stay this course, but it is played out all the same. It works fairly well and entertains a notion that we are wondering about to an extent. It was not a great deal of sufferage from this, but I shook my head for a moment.

In the end, this was an awesome film deserving of a place with the greats. It's a sequel that easily eclipses the original, especially in the way of character, which is the most important aspect of any film. It takes the risk of slowing down long enough to show us a little feeling and leads us through the story admirably.