No arachnophobia going on here! Bring on Spidey!

I have a thing for superheroes. Wolverine, mmmhmm, the only man in the world who can make side-burns look sexy. Then there is Batman. Something about a tight black rubber suit, a fast car and a big....house makes me weak in the knees. And who can forget Superman! Dorky reporter by day, hottie with a red cape by night! But the most amazing, intelligent, gorgeous super hero of all is Spiderman.
It is no surprise to any of you that Spiderman 2 is le film du jour. Oooh la la.
Peter Parker (his supreme vegetarian hotness - Tobey Maguire) is misunderstood. While saving New York City does have its benefits, it can ruin a man's personal life. Peter is fired from one of his two jobs. He is chronically late for class. His best friend, Harry, has a grudge against him for siding with Spiderman about the Green Goblin's murder. He and Mary Jane love each other. But for reasons beyond her understanding, they can't be together. Nice guys never get the girl, do they? And to top it all off, he has a paper due on fusion. Life is rough for the superhero. Does it get easier? Of course not! It's about to get tougher!
Lucky for Peter, Harry has major connections in the science field (he is, after all, the President of Oscorps) and promises to help with Peter's paper. Harry introduces Peter to Dr. Otto Octavius, a man renowned for his research on using fusion as a source of renewable energy. They become really chummy. Of course, the next logical step is to invite Parker to the unveiling of his research (to a group of snotty looking people). Wouldn't you know it? During the demonstration, things go terribly wrong! Catastrophe ensues when science falls into the wrong hands. Now you have the making of a new villain that puts the Green Goblin to shame: Dr. Octopus. Four additional appendages controlled with precision by Doc Ock's thoughts. These appendages are a force to be reckoned with. And you thought Ron Jeremy's appendage was a force to be reckoned with...
If you want more, go see the film. The twists. The turns. The fights. The love. All worthy of a full-on, date night production. No matinee. No waiting to put Spidey 2 on the Netflix queue.
This film appeals to a wide audience on so many levels. First, Tobey IS Spiderman. He isn't just acting as Spiderman, he IS Spiderman. Second, Kirsten Dunst is not quite so vapid (and her hair does not look kool-aid dyed, as it does in the first). Overall, the acting is great. Third, the special effects are HUGE. The sound effects were the most amazing I've heard in a movie in years. The last time I was blown away, by sound in a film, was in 8th grade when Jurassic Park was released (we all know the best sound effects in the world come from a U2 concert). Fourth (the sigh factor is coming), Parker's emotional pain is unbearable. The unrequited love is beautifully played out. Sigh....
The film can run a little long a times. Be patient. TRUST ME. There are not as many cheesy lines in this film as in the first film. The action improves exponentially. To put the icing on the cake, Peter Parker ends-up... And then there is Harry who.... But Mary Jane runs from.... See the film, dammit!
Also, thank God Tobey decided to reprise his role. I read that he almost didn't. Spiderman would have been played by Dunst's real-life boyfriend, Jake Gyllenhaal. While I love both Gyllenhaals, my love for Tobey as Spidey is stronger. Maybe it is those big, sad, blue eyes. Or maybe I'm subconsciously attracted to men on vegetarian diets. Actually, I'm sure it is because he is swoon worthy.
FILM VIEWING PROTOCOL
See this film with anyone. Friends, family, or friends and family. On a date. By yourself (although this would be the last option). While viewing the film, eat traditional, standard movie going fare. Try not to overindulge, as the film is nerve-wracking and you may be susceptible to a tummy-ache. Personally, I ate movie food for dinner in the form of a small popcorn (none of that nasty artificial butter of course), a nerd rope and a Sprite. In honor of Spiderman, I recommend eating something as sticky as a web. Fun Dip is really sticky. So are Sour Straws. Really, there are so many options out there.

Spider man, spider man
Does whatever a spider can
Spins a web any size
Catches thieves just like flies
Look out!
There comes the spider man

Is he strong?
Listen, bud
He's got radioactive blood
Can he swing from a thread?
Take a look overhead
Hey, there!
There goes the spider man

In the chill of the night
At the scene of a crime
Like a streak of light
He arrives just in time

Spider man, spider man
Friendly neighborhood spider man
Wealth and fame
He's ignorant
Action is his reward
Look out!
Here comes the spider man

To him, life's a big bang up
Whenever there's a hang up
You'll find the spider man.


~ THE RAMONES

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