With the reluctant hero's origins covered in the first movie, a sequel offered returning director Sam Raimi the chance to have some real fun. And that's exactly what he does, harnessing advances in technology to deliver a fantasy adventure that's slicker and more stylish than its predecessor. Two years after events in the original, Tobey Maguire's web-slinger is struggling to cope with the responsibilities his powers bring, a task complicated by the appearance of multi-tentacled villain Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina). A more complex adversary than Willem Dafoe's hammy Green Goblin, Doc Ock's physical clashes with Spider-Man are the film's highlights - unfortunately, he's underused, as the action often takes second place to sentimentality. While the focus on Spidey's feelings for Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) adds emotional depth, it also dilutes the adrenaline-rush excitement. Quibbles aside, however, the feature's still the most solid of the recent comic-book adaptations, with the wit, charm and imagination to satisfy the fussiest of fans.

Peter Parker is going through a major identity crisis. Burned out from being Spider-Man, he decides to shelve his superhero alter ego, which leaves the city suffering in the wake of carnage left by the evil Doc Ock. In the meantime, Parker still can't act on his feelings for Mary Jane Watson, a girl he's loved since childhood. A certain anger begins to brew in his best friend Harry Osborn as well...