What the US critics said

Critics in America have heaped praise on the new Spider-Man film, hailing it as better than the original.

"Spider-Man 2 is the perfect blend of summer action," said the New York Daily News. "A big movie with a deeply personal story."

Roger Ebert, critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, was so impressed he called it "the best superhero movie since the modern genre was launched with Superman in 1978".

Alfred Molina particularly impressed US reviewers as Dr Octopus. The New York Post said his performance was "almost Shakespearean", while the Los Angeles Times critic raved: "Doc Ock grabs this film with his quartet of sinisterly serpentine mechanical arms and refuses to let go."

The Washington Post called Molina's performance "a combination of pantomime sensitivity and cackling evil''. There was also praise from the New York Times which said the film was distinguished by "strong characters and honest feelings". Variety, the showbiz bible, called it "crackerjack entertainment from start to finish".