The casting of this movie was all-around excellent but Tobey Maguire really makes this movie. He's the best Peter Parker anyone could hope to get.

Back problems or no I hope he's in the third movie as well. He has a great mix of geekiness and studliness. He looked much the worse for wear in this movie but I'm sure that that was the intent what with Peter's life going down the crapper and all.

Before I ever saw the first movie I was horrified at the idea of Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane but was very happily surprised at her performance. The second one has me doubting how to feel. She was just looking too skinny and rough round the edges to be the goddess of womanliness I remember from the comics.