>From the brilliant opening credit sequence, through all the breathtaking action to the final few frames, this is an exhilarating film. The pacing is spot on throughout and the way this character is portrayed is just amazing. It's going to be a long time before "Spiderman 2" will have a challenger to relinquish its crown. (***** out of *****)
Raimi chose to use a wider frame for this film due to the tentacles and every section of this 2.40:1 widescreen canvas is used to the fullest. People, if you're not watching this movie in widescreen, you are NOT watching this movie. Sadly, this transfer is a little off. Most notably is the contrast level, which almost blinding at a few points. Flesh tones are completely washed out at a few points. Grain is pretty bad from the start, though it is toned down as the film moves along. Scenes without the whole blinding problem look fantastic (minimal if any chroma noise, edge enhancement almost non-existent), but it's a far too obvious problem. (****)
Thankfully and somewhat unsurprisingly, this disc is a masterpiece of sound work. Spidey's web shots do a fine job of flying through the sound field while his opponent's tentacles provide bass. A few scenes featuring gunfire have been mixed perfectly. The final moments, with the imploding building, is just stunning to listen to. Any of the fight sequences are worthy enough to feed to your receiver as well. (*****)
This is the "Collectors Gift Set" edition of the film. Unlike the first films set, this one uses a standard size box to hold everything and it should fit nicely on any shelf. Included in the box is of course the 2-disc DVD set along with plenty of stuff to show off. A smaller reproduction of "Spiderman: Issue 50" is included, the comic the film is based on. There is a 25-page booklet featuring art from a variety of sources, all created for this very set. Their presentation is impeccable. Next is a concept portfolio, a very glossy (almost to the point of being slippery) look at the concept art and a few shots of the film for comparison. Finally, a set of five perforated postcards featuring posters and promotional art are packed inside.
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