The Amazing Spider-Man 2 stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, and Dane Dehann under the direction of Marc Webb released on May 2nd, 2014.
Now, I am fully aware of the fact that this movie has already been out and that many countless mixed opinions have been formed. As I am writing this currently a 5 weeks after release, the film has a 7,4 rating on imdb with a low 53% on rotten tomatoes. I was aware of these reviews ad thoughts while walking into my local IMAX 3D theatew early may. And I was worried with what was about to be given to me. I grew up praising the Raimi trilogy and had the biggest crush on Kirsten Dunst. In 2012 I was satisfied with
The Amazing Spider-Man, but was expecting even more out of the sequal. And now, it is here.
I will start off my review that I have had several conversations that I have had about this movie that we all can agree on: This is the most entertaining film of the year (thus far). Marc Webb truley grasps the fun and enjoyment everyone has for the character of Peter Parker/Spider-Man. I can not expalin to you my emotions and how big the smile was on my face when first seeing our favorite webhead swinging throughout the city having the time of his life. While we the audience are as well. When comparing the film to the first the main take away is how much bigger it is in every sense. The story, the world, the action, the spectacle. Marc Webb is much more confident in what he is oing this time around to bring this story to life in the best way possible.
However, big doesnt alway mean better. For some situations this is true. The action and character development really lends itself to the size of this movie and has some really strong moments. However I have to confirm that it's true that Webb and Sony have bit off more they can chew. I can count 5 storylines off the top of my head alone in this film. At the start it is exciting as these are intresting and you look forward as to where these plot threads will go. However a lot of them just either get lost, rushed, or forgotten. There is no clear one main story here and that can be seen as a problem. But that is not my biggest issue. For me it was the character of Electro. Some people have been complaining about Max Dillon and how cheesy his character was. I had no problem with Max Dillon. In fact, I was intrigued by his character and haunted by the Hans Zimmer score that accompanyed him in every scene he is in. My problem is that once he became Electo and they set him up to be the main villan, he becomes nothing but a plot device. Held in ravencroft until we need him again to fight Spider-Man. When he was defeated I felt no impact what so ever as the writers decided not to flesh him out. My other gripe with the film would have to be how the second act drags a bit with no Spidey action and little plot movement at this time as well. The Rhino I enjoyed. He wasnt a villan or even a character and they werent trying to make him one. He was there for set up and that worked just fine and I ws okay with it. And the ending was perfectly done as well and felt straight out of the comic book. You feel the impact and even I, on both veiwings, got choked up.
Bigger isn't always better, but for most of this film it is better. With great action, characters, performances and a steller soundtrack from Hans Zimmer, it's tough to argue the amount of fun and enjoyment you will get out of this film.