You need to get the greatest Marvel movie of all time on Netflix ASAP

It’s hard to Think back to the days when superhero movies weren’t as culturally dominant as they are today. But the Marvel Cinematic Universe has only become Hollywood’s top franchise because of the directors who came before it iron man and proved that superhero movies can be made well.

Tim Burton and Richard Donner showed that comics could inspire competent and charming blockbusters, but ultimately it was Sam Raimi who introduced and then perfected what moviegoers now know as the modern superhero film. After initial experimentation with the genre in 1990, directed by Liam Neeson dark manRaimi returned to the comic world over a decade later with 2002 Spiderman. This film marked a turning point for the superhero genre and two years later Raimi surpassed himself Spiderman 2.

Considered one of the most important and influential films of the 21st century, Raimi’s 2004 blockbuster is finally available to stream again on Netflix.

Spiderman 2 does what every sequel should do: it somehow manages to be bigger and more action-packed than its predecessor, without ever losing sight of the humanity of its characters. The film builds on many of the remaining storylines from 2002 Spiderman and in the process, it forces Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker to reckon with his life as a superhero in a compelling and insightful way.

Not only does Peter struggle to reestablish his friendship with Harry Osborn (James Franco) after the death of Harry’s father, Norman (Willem Dafoe), but he must also deal with the revelation that his lifelong crush is Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). engaged. Both conflicts force Peter to face the costs his superhero lifestyle demands and create a crisis of confidence in him that briefly robs him of his superpowers.

In case that’s not enough, Peter must also face a deadly enemy when one of his idols, Otto Octavius ​​(Alfred Molina), begins wreaking havoc throughout New York City. Like his struggles with Mary Jane and Harry, Peter’s conflict with Octavius ​​ultimately ties into the issues of sacrifice and responsibility that are at the heart Spiderman 2. The culmination of Peter’s emotional journey is so bittersweet that it’s just as effective today as it was 18 years ago.

For his part, Molina wisely doesn’t try to achieve the same magnetic, manic energy that Willem Dafoe brought with him in 2002’s Norman Osborn Spiderman. Instead, Molina infuses his version of Octavius ​​with so much pathos and wry charm that he feels human even in the moments when he’s scaling tall buildings with his metal arms.

Behind the camera, Sam Raimi brings the same level of visual energy Spiderman 2 he did so with his predecessor. Its lens hisses and slides through Spiderman 2 with a kind of balletic and sometimes deliciously cheesy grace that many modern superhero films sadly lack.

From Spider-Man and Doc Ock’s breathtaking, viscerally effective train combat to his now legendary surgery sequence, the film is filled with some of the most exciting and awe-inspiring set pieces in comic book film history. With Spider Man 2, Raimi has accomplished a feat that feels increasingly rare: He’s made a crowd-pleasing superhero hit that still feels artistic and distinctive.

In other words, no one could have done that Spiderman 2 except Sam Raimi. The film is suspenseful and candid, and it has more style and heart than most modern day blockbusters would manage to match. His creative team’s passion is evident in every image, and the impact it’s had on Hollywood can be felt every time a new MCU entry is released.

Although there are so many imitations, it is proof of that Spiderman 2 that most of the myriad superhero films that followed him ultimately failed to match his artistry. Watch it to remind yourself of the heights the genre is capable of.

Spiderman 2 is streaming on Netflix.