10 Best Spider-Man 2 Moments
2. Train Sequence
Following his triumphant return, Spider-Man swings to a clock tower where Doctor Octopus is waiting. A battle ensues on the side of the building, until it escalates and leads to them fighting on the top of a moving subway train. During the fight, Doc Ock sabotages the train, forcing Spider-Man to try to stop it before it crashes. Finally, the scene concludes with the passengers lifting an unmasked Spider-Man to safety and realising that he is “just a kid.”
Spider-Man 2 prioritises drama over everything. It is not as action-packed as other superhero films, but when the action finally unfolds, the payoffs are unmatched. The train fight itself, perhaps the film’s most iconic moment, is visceral from start to finish. Once again, Sam Raimi’s ingenious direction and Danny Elfman’s heroic score add urgency to the fight and the subsequent rescue.
Watching Spider-Man desperately improvise while trying to stop a train full of passengers from plummeting into the New York harbour feels stressful. Not only because the hero must save the day in time, but because Raimi took the time to subtly flesh out the extras’ roles inside the train carriages. They feel like real people – one of Raimi’s signature qualities is making his films’ worlds feel alive and real. Finally, the New Yorkers’ rescue of Peter is a touching moment. After witnessing Peter’s hardships throughout the film, their gratitude and promise to keep his identity a secret is incredibly satisfying.
The entire train sequence serves as a masterclass in superhero storytelling. It expertly blends kinetic action with high stakes drama, creating one of the most important and beloved scenes in superhero blockbusters.
1. Aunt May’s Speech
After hearing that Aunt May is moving, Peter Parker goes to visit and help her pack. There, the two reconcile, with May forgiving him for telling her the truth about Uncle Ben. Her words also influence Peter to become Spider-Man once more.
With all the obstacles that have been thrown Peter’s way since becoming Spider-Man, this scene is an emotionally uplifting moment that Peter needed to hear. It can also resonate with anyone watching, since it is an inspiring and genuine monologue. Furthermore, Aunt May’s words about having “to be steady” and “sometimes give up the thing we want the most, even our dreams” come back later in the film, where Peter uses them to help Otto Octavius find his way again. Lastly, there is a strong implication that Aunt May knows that Peter is Spider-Man: we never find out if she did, but it feels appropriate.
Understandably, most will fondly look back on Spider-Man 2’s train sequence. And, while the finesse of that scene is astonishing, Aunt May’s speech to Peter is arguably the film’s most important moment. It symbolises everything Spider-Man represents, what it means to be a hero, and why Peter Parker personally continues to be Spider-Man. It is one of the most sincere scenes in any comic book film.
Recommended for you: 10 Best Moments from Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man Trilogy
With so many exceptional moments in this genre-topping film, we want to know what you think. Let us (and everyone else) know about any moments we missed, what your top 3 moments are, and whether you think Spider-Man 2 is one of the greatest superhero films of all time in the comments below. And, be sure to follow @thefilmagazine on Facebook and X (Twitter) for more insightful movie lists.
Written by Sam Langton
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