Video Reviews: 'Spider-Man 2,' More

Spider-Man 2' (PG-13): Get ready to get caught up in the web of "Spider-Man 2" -- an awe-inspiring superhero journey that is every bit as much about the emotional complexities of the characters as it is its dazzling special effects. Sparked by brilliant performances across the board, an intelligent script and genre-groundbreaking direction by Sam Raimi, the follow-up to the 2002 blockbuster is not only a spectacular cinematic achievement that exceeds its amazing predecessor, it's arguably the best superhero movie ever made.

Picking up two years after the original left off, we find Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) as all but a lost soul. He's accepted the great responsibility of his great power, but fighting crime as Spider-Man has left him drained physically and as a result, often finds him missing his college classes or getting fired from his jobs -- and he's always behind on rent.

But that's the least of his problems: he's also alienating Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), who's ready to move on to a new love; Harry Osborne (James Franco), who's convinced Spider-Man killed his father and loathes the fact that Peter makes his living by taking pictures of the webslinger; and Aunt May (Rosemary Harris), whose struggling as a widow and in danger of losing her home.

Things begin to look up, though, when Harry introduces Peter to his longtime idol Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), a brilliant scientist who is working on a groundbreaking experiment with fusion material. But when a tragic accident ends with tentacles fused to his body, Octavius becomes Doc Ock, a maniacal scientist who's determined to finish his project, which ultimately could wipe New York City off the map.

Not surprisingly, "Spider-Man 2" is loaded with jaw-dropping special effects, but it's the attention Raimi pays to character development that drives "Spider-Man 2" over the top. While some filmmakers may rely on special effects alone to draw us in, Raimi knows how smart his audience is and rewards them by delivering a balanced film that's satisfying on all levels. It's a fantastical world, but thanks to great writing and acting across the board, "Spider-Man 2" feels real.

DVD Features: Review of bonus features forthcoming. (Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment)

Also New This Week:
"Hero" (PG-13) - Jet Li stars in the U.S. release of the martial arts extravaganza, a 2003 Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film. (Miramax Home Entertainment)

"Daredevil Director's Cut" (PG-13) -- Director Mark Steven Johnson adds 20 minutes of new footage to the 2003 hit starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner. (Fox Home Entertainment)

Also New
'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (PG): Director Alfonso Cuaron takes the boy wizard into much darker territory with the third installment in the film series. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermoine (Emma Watson) are back for another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and they're on the run from Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), who escaped from Azkaban prison. Legend has it that he led Lord Voldemart to kill Harry's parents and the belief now is that he's going to finish the boy wizard off, too. Then there are the Dementors; a terrifying set of Azkaban prison guards sent to stand guard over Hogwarts.

Like the previous "Potter" films, "Azkaban's" filled with great special effects and most importantly, a mesmerizing story - and it's sure to please fans of the J.K. Rowling novels. Led by the strong presences of Radcliffe, Grint and Watson, the acting is once again terrific with "Azkaban."

There's a slate of wonderful supporting turns, too, including Oldman, Emma Thompson as the goggly-eyed professor Trelawney and David Thewlis as the mysterious Professor Lupin and Michael Gambon more than ably fills the shoes of the late Richard Harris as Professor Dumbledore.

DVD bonuses include deleted scenes, production featurettes; three interactive challenge games; iPIX tours into Honeydukes and Professor Lupin's classroom; fun interviews with the cast and crew conducted by Johnny Vaughn and the Shrunken Head; an informative interview with Rowling, and more. (Warner Home Entertainment)

'Elf' (PG): Will Ferrell is a hoot as Buddy, an over-sized Elf who journeys from the North Pole to New York City to find his long-lost dad (James Caan). As funny as he's been in the past, "Elf" is without question a breakthrough film for Ferrell, whose laugh-out loud antics and child-like innocence rivals Tom Hanks' performance as a child trapped in a grown man's body in "Big."

Writer-director Jon Favreau (who's a talented actor in his own right) also creates a wonderfully surrealistic world in "Elf," blending all sorts of magical devices together to make it work. Fans of Christmas nostalgia, especially TV's "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," are in for a true delight. Just as much poignant as it is funny, "Elf" is an instant holiday classic.

DVD Features on the two-disc set include commentaries by Ferrell and Favreau, production featurettes, a script to screen comparison, "Beyond the Movie" features and deleted scenes. Fun features for kids both little and big include a cool "Make Your Own Storybook" section; an application where you can import a photo of yourself to become an elf; and "Elf" theme holiday printouts (door hangers, stationery, mazes, etc). A passageway to Infinifilm.com unlocks exclusive content - including a knockout 3-D elf village. (New Line Home Entertainment)

Shrek 2' (PG): If you believed in "Shrek" -- arguably the best movie of 2001 -- then you'll be happy to know that its much-anticipated sequel "Shrek 2" is a twisted fairy tale dream come true. Once again backed by a phenomenal voice cast, smart writing and knock-out computer animation, the spirited follow-up is easily equal to, if not better at times, than its inspired predecessor.

"Shrek 2" finds Shrek and his newly turned ogre companion Princess Fiona (the voices of Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz) as a newly married couple adjusting to married life in the swamp. Apart from some frequent, annoying visits by Donkey (Eddie Murphy), there's one issue yet to be resolved that's already causing Shrek and Fiona marital woes: meeting the in-laws, King Harold (John Cleese) and Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews).

Needless to say, they're a bit shocked at the couple's appearance, so Harold decides to hire Puss-in-Boots (Antonio Banderas) to take out Shrek, and concocts a plan with the Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders) to pair her son, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) with Fiona.

At the forefront of the laughter again is Murphy, who once again delivers another gut-busting mixture of zingers and spontaneous singing performances as Donkey. But Banderas nearly steals the show as the suave and delightfully funny Puss-in-Boots. Who knew he could be so funny? Like the first, this "Shrek" is an instant classic.

The standout DVD bonus feature is "Far, Far and Away Idol," a perfect companion piece to the first "Shrek" DVD's bonus feature, Shrek's "In the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party." Not surprisingly, "American Idol's" brutally honest judge Simon Cowell shows up in Shrek's version of "Idol," and howling results ensue. A cool interactive feature allows viewers to pick the winner of all the competitors. Other bonuses include production featurettes, over 20 Games and Activities, a filmmaker commentary track, and more. (Dreamworks Home Entertainment)