Hey guys! Spider-Miles here with a review on TASM 2!
I saw this on Friday, but I didn't give a full review because I didn't have much time!
Here goes. What I thought about "The Amazing Spider-Man 2"
Non Spoiler review
I absolutely loved it! In my opinion, it is The Dark Knight of Spider-Man films, as in it's THE definitive Spider-Man.
The characterization, I feel, was the strongest part of the film. You can really empathize with the characters. I felt for all of them, even Aunt May! (Well, not really but you get my point). You get emotionally invested for these characters and it all pays off. However none of this would be possible if it wasn't for the talented actors and their performances!
The best performances came from Dane DeHaan and Andrew Garfield, IMO. I don't know why but they just NAILED it! Dane was perfect, even when given lines that were sort of cheesy! ("Welcome back for the bonus round!" seriously, he made that sound GOOD!). As The Goblin he felt threatening, and so creepy. Andrew Garfield was much better in this, you could tell that Peter and Spidey were not the same person (personality-wise). His Peter was very different to his Spidey. Also he really gave it his all during the final act!
I also give praise to Emma Stone and Jamie Foxx, they did really well. Jamie especially for making me feel kinda sorry for him.
I enjoyed the story, it was full of interesting twists and was not afraid to be daring or even possibly controversial.
Overall I have given the film a 9.5/10, however I will change that (maybe) when I see the film a second time.
Now, Spoilers time! This is just what I liked and disliked scene and story-wise.
What I liked
- The Graduation Scene. Gwen's speech is full of foreshadowing! "We think we're immortal." "Life is precious because it ends." (paraphrasing) Stuff like that.
- Spider-Man and that little kid. When we see what Spidey does during the time jump, we find out that he talked to some kid who was getting beaten up by some bullies, and scares 'em away. He fixes his science project and walks him home. That scene made me feel warm inside!
- Harry's Transformation Scene. So Disturbing in a good way.
- The Spider reveal. It is revealed that the Spiders were Half Human (or had human DNA) but it was Richard Parker's DNA. The Spider venom wouldn't have worked on anybody but Peter. Harry takes it and that's what send him all Goblin. It's also hinted that Norman took it.
Some may compare it to Ang Lee's HULK, but I for one think it worked in this.
- Everything with Harry. Seriously, all of his scenes. But if I had to pick one, non-goblin scene, it would be when he is with Electro and they try to get info from Menken. His performance in that is brilliant.
- Electro beating Spidey up to the tune of "Itsy Bitsy Spider". It didn't feel out of place when you consider Max's personality in the film.
- This line. Electro: "I will be like a god!" Spidey: "Really? A god named 'Sparkles'?"
- The final battle with Goblin.
- Gwen's death. So brutal, so sad. The SNAP is the best part. But Peter's reaction, oh my, it's so realistic. I must admit that I cried.
- Spider-Man's return. The final scene in the film. The way he talked to the kid, and what he said to RHINO, really proved that Andrew is Spider-Man.
What I kinda disliked
- Flash wasn't in it. (If he was, it wasn't for long)
- I think the Goblin fight could've been longer.
- I think Electro should have had more screen time.
- Felicity Jones as Felicia. I really have trouble with her being named that... it should've been some stock name or lesser reference.
- I think the final RHINO fight should've been longer. I would've ended the fight, had the people cheer, and then Spidey swing off for the Final Swing... but that's more of a nitpick than anything.
- Norman Osborn. Should've been in it longer. However, they did hint that he had taken the Spider Venom because he had claws like what Harry gets at the end. Also, we do see the thing his head was inside in that pic when the nurses come in, but we don't see anything after that.
That's it.
Hope you enjoyed my Review of TASM 2 :D