With so many sequels and franchise films disappointing their fans in recent years (Batman, Star Wars, The Matrix), it's hard to remember the last time a major Hollywood blockbuster, not only lived up to expectations, but absolutely demolished them. That's what Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2 does. It's not only better than the original, but the absolute epitome of everything a comicbook/superhero adaptation should be.

While the 2002 original was an above-average summer blockbuster that wove in the character's creation myth with a generally enjoyable storyline, the sequel represents a huge leap forward, from both an action and character development standpoint, making it by far the most overachieving movie of the year.

Tobey Maguire returns, as Peter Parker, who is torn by the effects his obligation as Spider-Man has had on those he loves, including Aunt May (the wonderful Rosemary Harris) and longtime crush Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). At first, he abandons his duties as Spidey - much like Maguire, who nearly dropped out of the film - but later reconsiders to engage in one more battle with the half-man/half-machine villain, Doc Ock (Alfred Molina - a big upgrade over Willem Dafoe's cartoonish baddie).

Spider-Man 2 is almost perfectly balanced, avoiding the pitfalls of the later period Superman and Batman pictures. It's dark at times, far more so than before, but funny and heartwarming, also. With the help of co-writer Michael Chabon, it remains faithful to the comics, but not totally inaccessible to those who have never picked up a Stan Lee book. The characters are believable, both as real people and superheroic abstractions.

Best of all, New York is photographed equally well, as itself and its fictional equivalent. A non-existent elevated subway line in the middle of Manhattan is inserted for one action sequence, which is too exhilarating for anyone to complain about.

Even the theme song is better, Dashboard Confessional's Vindicated being a massive improvement on Chad Kroeger monstrosity Hero. With the rumored revival of Superman in the offing (world-class hack Michael Bay attached), it's refreshing to know how great a comicbook concept can be in the hands of an imaginative director, whether Batman's Tim Burton, or Raimi-man.