Unlocking the terror: How Sam Raimi infused horror into Spider-Man 2

Earlier this year, Sony and Columbia Pictures, as part of a campaign celebrating Columbia's 100th anniversary, re-released all nine of the live-action Spider-Man films. The series featuring the web-head superhero is not just a fan favorite, but also their most financially successful movie series.

Of the nine re-released films, the set that made the most significant impact on the box office was the trilogy of the early 2000s Spider-Man 1-3, directed by legendary director Sam Raimi. Time has been kind to Raimi's vision of Spider-Man. Perhaps the numerous internet memes throughout the past decade have kept the films in the general public's consciousness. 

More importantly, these films were helmed by a director with years of experience who displayed a unique filmmaking style and vision showcasing his own voice rather than a movie made by a committee. Raimi's ability to use a stylized way of filming, which only added to the substance of the movie, stands out amongst those who have directed superhero films. 

The most critically celebrated of Raimi's web-slinging tales was 2004's Spider-Man 2. Now on its 20th anniversary, the sequel is not just considered one of the best in the history of the superhero genre, and a testament to the enduring quality of Raimi's work. It was picked as one of the American Film Institute's top 10 films of 2004 and won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. 

Spider-Man 2 is remembered for being arguably the most human superhero film, with its focus on vulnerability and themes of responsibility versus identity. Yet, for horror fans, the most memorable moment and scene from the highly-touted sequel reminded them of Raimi's roots in horror.

Simply known as "The Hospital Scene," in less than three minutes, the film's villain unknowingly transforms from Dr. Otto Octavius to Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina). In a scene filled with controlled chaos, the audience watches Frankenstein turn into Frankenstein's monster. 

"Any of the fans that thought Sam Raimi was a sellout and has turned his back on Evil Dead, and all the movies he's excelled at and known for will finally have to shut their mouths," said longtime Raimi collaborator and renowned editor Bob Murawski about the Doctor Octopus hospital scene. "Because it's full-on Sam Raimi."

After a public demonstration by Octavius goes horribly wrong in an attempt to harness fusion power or as Octavius puts it, 'the power of the sun in the palm of my hands' resulting in the death of his wife and several others, the scientist is sent to the hospital to remove the tentacles from his harness surgically. 

"Anybody here take shop class?" jokes one of the doctors in an unsuspecting foreboding moment. 

With Octavius' inhibitor chip destroyed during the presentation, the mechanical tentacles turn into sinister serpentines and wreak havoc around the hospital room. A tracking shot starts the scene by fully displaying the focus and the main characters in the room.

Raimi's frenetic filmmaking sets the pace, focusing on various surgical instruments and the eyes of each of the victims of the tentacles. Instead of using a musical score, the scene is filled with a symphony of sound effects and screams. Each victim gets their own time in the spotlight to be horrifically murdered by a piece of technology gone rogue. 

The creation behind Doctor Octopus is another reason why this scene stands out so much. The tentacles were made with practical effects, as CGI was used when the tentacles carried the mad scientist. However, most of the filming was done with tentacles that were practically made, and the real versions were filmed first whenever CGI was needed. 

Visual Effects team Edge FX created the entire Doctor Octopus suit from the corset, metal girdle, spine and tentacles. Each tentacle, along with the claws, was controlled by a puppeteer and even given names.

The use of real-made tentacles in the film is a testament to the level of craftsmanship displayed by Raimi and the filmmaking crew. It's a detail that adds a layer of authenticity to the film.

Amazingly, a scene with Doctor Octopus and the tentacles was made before the script was finished to perfect how they could best be utilized. 

The scene that gives birth to Doctor Octopus works as a microcosm of the film itself. It's a self-contained story that's tonally different from the majority of the film yet still works within the theme of identity present throughout. The scene has an introduction, middle, and climax. It's also a sign of recognition from a director who always remembered what first brought him to the table. And for that, it deserves to be highlighted.