Spider-Man 2, So you grew up... Now What?

The first two Spider-Man films together pretty much form the basis of all things superhero and especially Marvel, these two and X-Men walked so that the MCU could run, and while that gives them an indisputable place in the hearts of many fans like myself, it also means that it has helped establish a lot of common place tropes and cliches that today feel stale and see through.

One of the above Tropes is the Trope of the Hero loosing their powers in the second movie of a series, I mean sure, this thing began with Superman II but if anything this is the movie that made it so widespread and well known...

I mean who doesn't remember the iconic scene of Spider-Man's costume being thrown in the Garbage bin, and it's taken straight from the Comics too...

But regardless, this movie is essentially about Peter Parker's Identity, without Spider-Man, is that all he is? Or is there more to the lad?

Well in the beginning, it appears that the Spider-Man Side of his life has entirely taken over his life, and everything else is suffering because of it.

And this theme is an extension of something that started in the previous film where Peter decides that Spider-Man takes precedence over everything else in his life, and any sacrifice is worth it, including making the ones that care about him feel bad for ever caring.

You see the problem with growing up, is that you form an image of yourself, the person you are supposed to be, and especially when other people get involved in it, you start feeling that it is your duty to be that person...

To keep being who your dead loved one's asked you to be, because if you stop carrying that burden, you are being disrespectful...

And in such times, life has a way of pushing you out of your comfort zone anyways...

Taking away the one thing that you have been using as an excuse to not deal with your problems...

And when people are faced by the reality of how flawed their approach to life is, it breaks them, it devastates them, the difference between a hero and a villain is one who chooses to grow from this, and one who chooses to double down on their bad decisions.

Just like in so many super hero films the main villain is a foil to the Hero, they both have lost everything, and both due to their thinking that they know what is best for everyone.

But apart from all that there is one thing I want to say about this movie, Raimi has an obsession with Screaming women...

The Screaming part makes sense given that he is a Horror director, but why women only?

Don't men scream?

No I mean men scream in these movies too...

But the movie has a disproportionate emphasis on screaming women...

Oh no wait, he's a man... that makes sense...

Sorry, I mean no offense truly, It's just something I noticed...

Speaking of screaming women, Mary Jane Watson...

I will just say this here, these movies have an asshole problem.

Everyone not named Aunt May is an Asshole in some way, Harry, wants to kill Spider Man and berates his best friend for taking his photos and doing his job... And then sends a crazed Doctor Octavius after him because... Spider-Man and revenge for Daddy...

Wtf dude, I mean if it wasn't bad enough that you started Dating MJ knowing your bestie had feelings for her...

And then there is Mary Jane...

Tell me one thing honey... I understand the whole letting you chose part, but did you have to let things go all the way to the Altar to spring the fact that you are leaving John Jameson on him?

That's a real Rachel move, literally!

Here's an alternate view, she knew somewhere that peter is Spider-Man, and when she gets a confirmation and Peter does the whole "I must protect you" thing, she bitch slaps him and tells him to let her choose for herself.

Honestly, that would be so much more accurate to how she is in the comics, but I guess they needed the visual of her running in a wedding dress.

I hope it was worth it Raimi my man...

It might seem that I am being overly critical here, but the reality is, Mary Jane as a character has never had a good adaptation, and that is really sad...

But I guess those were the times, women back then were mostly plot devices for the male lead to be motivated...

Ah the sexist past...

All things considered though, getting to see the iconic scene where Spidey is lifted up by the New Yorkers after he stops the train like a Jesus figure in the theatres was worth it.