SPOILER(S) follow.
You've been warned.
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I feel I must begin this assessment of mine with how I approached the film and my eventual thoughts on it. Call me biased, but I'm a fan of the new Spider-man trilogy so far. Or rather, the new spidey universe. I walked out of the first TASM pleasantly, and more than adequately, delighted with what we'd gotten from the first of the reboot. On my scale of legendary to disastrous, it fell comfortably next to Great. Maybe that's a 4/5 or something, but I try to avoid numbers.
I watched the negativity rise as it got closer to the release date, going back and forth as to whether this would turn out to be another 'Green Lantern' or just simply a sequel to my favorite Spidey movie. I wouldn't say I was worried, but I hoped they could capture that lightning (huh...) that we haven't seen since Spider-man 2. At the end of the day, I knew I liked what they were doing with this franchise; I knew I liked the cast, the crew, the ideas; so there really wasn't anything to hold my expectations back. Suffice it to say, those expectations were unsurprisingly met; even through all of the public scrutiny.
I don't think my thoughts are organized enough to warrant different sections, but I'll try. I tend to ramble.
I'll start with
Story:
Building upon what was established in the first film, we get some more of the "Untold Story" everyone was clamoring for. There are some nods to the Ultimate comics in the case of Peter's parents; because they obviously aren't S.H.I.E.L.D agents, a la normal 616 comics universe. Very interesting to see how it all pays off in the future. I have some theories pertaining to Venom, based on the Ult. comics of course. We also get perfect development of Peter and Gwen's relationship, proving once again that they hold the crown for arguably the best relationship in a CBM. Peter is suitably haunted by the ghost of Gwen's father throughout, forshadowing dark days ahead for the hero.
On the villian front, we're introduced to Max Dillon and Harry Osborn as our leading bad guys. Max, ever the awkward outsider, is thrust into the life of a villian not necessarily on his own accord, and eventually teams with Harry in a realistic manner that benefits the story moving forward as well as the story presented in this movie. Harry comes back into Peter's life after a long hiatus in their friendship with open arms. But circumstances with his father, Norman Osborn, and a little thing called biology, backs him into a corner; therefore forcing him into the life of a villian alongside Max.
I never felt the overabundance of "set-up" in the movie, despite the many characters it does juggle. I believe the characters that need fleshing out, get their due, and the minor characters serve their purpose adequately, at the very least. The only setting-up that jumped out at me was near the end, when the movie was wrapping itself up and teasing the future at the same time. It served to pull me in on what Sony has planned for the future, and it worked. Who in their right mind doesn't want to see the Sinister Six battle Spider-man? Or an actually awesome Venom? (Carnage!?)
The film moved at a steady pace, taking its time to let everything sink in. The 2 and 1/2 hour length really helped in this department. Despite the slow pace (don't mistake that for TOO slow), the movie doesn't drag. It's not over-packed with action or drama OR set-up. Nothing made me feel like it was prolonged for too much.
There was a beginning, middle, and end. It never bored, and it always felt real, or realistic, outside of the fantastic set pieces and action. Relationships, dialogue(Except one or two cheesy lines that were obviously intended to be cheesy), and motivations always felt practical. This is still, at its heart, a story about a teenage boy becoming a man. Typically there's no room for epic profoundness in the life of Peter Parker or his supporting cast. He is, afterall, the most relatable super hero in comics...arguably of course.
Now the important
Characters:
Peter/Spidey and
Gwen
Awww, so adorable.
Like I said before, best relationship in a CBM. Andrew Garfield is in top form on both fronts, and Emma Stone, as well, is right alongside with him. She is possibly one of the strongest female protagonists to grace the screen in a CBM, if not THE strongest. It's definite that their off-screen chemistry was taken advantage of by Marc Webb, ever the love spinner as well as web spinner. Some say he's better suited for the smaller moments in his Spidey movies, and it's a little hard to argue when those moments shine bright here as well.
Andrew brings real charisma to the character this time around that makes me believe he finally, actually settled into the role in a way that he didn't the first time around. If there is/was any doubt about his portrayal of Peter, I don't understand it. When I think of Andrew as Spidey, I can't imagine anyone else in the role. The same goes for Emma as Gwen. Their acting, as well, make them stand out among their actor/actress peers. They made me laugh, cry, cheer, and love every minute they're on screen.
Now for
Max Dillon and
Harry Osborn:
Jamie Foxx and co. went for a very different take on this character than I think people were ready for. Max Dillon continues the Spidey trend of the sympathetic do-gooder gone bad. I got the vibe that Jamie Foxx really enjoyed this role; it was pretty different from what we've seen before with him. I was quite surprised to see Max's character treated as the cliche it was. Instead of drawing his performance back a bit to sort of fit into todays high standard of villains, the dark but funny evil a la Loki, Joker, etc., Foxx went full steam ahead with the corniness and embraced it; giving us a charcter that is definitely shone in a sympathetic light, but also played up in a funny and enjoyable way.
Yes, Electro did get the one or two cheese stuffed lines. Everyone is hating the "Today's my birthday, time to light the candles!" line, and it's probably because no one seems to be in the mood for the sort of humor that encircles the film as well as infuses it. Electro is a character that is almost fully adopted from the comics he was born in; and along with him comes the humor surrounding his character and his story. Technically the character and story we received are not the same bread and butter as the Max Dillon in the comics, but what we got was the same kind of heart-filled ridiculousness a spider-man villian such as he can carry.
Still though, I take him seriously, no doubt; his is a particularly tragic story of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and hearing the wrong things at the wrong time. He has every right to snap and lose it because he's already a cracked human being to begin with. He lost touch with society because society lost touch with him. But I feel there is also a sort of humor present with Max; a sense of self-awareness about his character and how he is treated. It's unique. It's not enough to just write him off as "that bad, cheesy bad guy in that bad, cheesy movie".
Dane DeHaan, in my mind, had a lot to live up to for the Goblin mantle. Willem Dafoe, despite his plastic green mask, owned the role the first time around. So it's appropriate they go in a different direction with this franchise. To me, it's less important that they're going with Harry for Peter's achnemesis, but Dane DeHaan. He brings a very cool sense of cynicism and wryness to Harry that makes me excited for his future. The first scene with Max and Harry working together is a treat for those looking forward to Sinister Six. It's truly fun.
Harry and Peter's relationship is utilised well throughout the film. Harry is backed into the "dying by genetic disease" corner, which puts a strain on his friendship with Peter in a big bad way. There's always a sense of uneasiness in the presence of Harry, something DeHaan is very good at selling, and for good reason of course. He was partially raised, or not raised, by Norman Osborn. Norman isn't exactly dad of the year. Ultimately his Goblin is a mixed bag, though I mean this literally. The goblin we get from Harry is undergoing a disturbing transformation, and it's something I feel is still in the middle ground of what the end result should be; an unfinished transformation, if you will. I think the Green Goblin will undergo more physical and possibly mental changes in the future. He was still very much a great villian for Peter, because the relationship was so personal with them. It's the closest friends that can become the worst enemies.
I almost see the Goblin as just an unhinged Harry with physical prowess, more so than THE Green Goblin. That's not a bad thing. There is still much to explore with the character. I thought the deformed Harry stood well as a sort of metaphor for the feelings he held. His voice cracked and little bits of his humanity MIGHT have showed through; that little ounce of doubt in his eyes. As Harry states near the end, "It comes and goes."
Of course, the Goblin serves a very crucial and troubling purpose for the end of the film; the death of Gwen. I feel it must be taken into account how revolutionary this moment is or can/should be in the pantheon of CBMs. This is arguably the most iconic moment of comics brought to the big screen (so far), and it coudn't have been done better; couldn't have been more heartbreaking, while satisfying (for us geeks) at the same time. As far as I can recall, a protagonist, or main love interest, has not been killed in a CBM to the effect that Gwen has. This moment should be as big today as it was in the comics at the time. And it's Emma Stone, no less; one of the biggest reasons this franchise thrives. It will be compelling to see how they progress without her, just as how Peter will progress without Gwen (of which we got a small taste of).
Aleksei Sytsevich , a.k.a the Rhino, is a crucially minor character that appears for only minutes in the film. A small set-up of a character, yes; but outside of showing exciting things to come, Giamatti embraces the fun of his character and the scenes he appears in, affording amusing times with his crazy russian mobster and spidey.
Some
Honorable Mentions ahead.
Aunt May gets nice screen time and is well utilised in Peter's parent struggle and internal struggles. She's more active, being shown as a hard working nurse trying to make ends meet, and plays a pivotal role in some revelations about the late Parkers.
Also, she totally knows he's Spider-man. There can't possibly be anymore suggestion otherwise. It seems she almost tries to get him to come out with it already; not wanting to burden him with her knowledge, but at the same time trying to push him in the right direction and dropping hints all over the place. It's quite interesting to have that dynamic. It's also appropriate seeing as how secret identities can't possibly or realistically be maintained for that long with someone so close.
Felicia Hardy herself gets a cameo/minor role. Name dropped as only "Felicia", I'm sure it's safe to assume we'll be seeing her again. It especially makes sense to have her, as Black Cat, appear in the next film to give Peter a complicated romantic obstruction after Gwen's death. I don't think we should be jumping to his greatest love, Mary Jane Watson, so soon. I'm sure we will, though. Oh well.
Is it me, or did Menken (played by Colm Feore) look remarkably like he should be playing the vulture? His name wasn't Adrian Menken Toomes was it? or Adrian Toomes Menken? Nah...
I need to dig into the
Action in this movie.
It's spectacular. 'Nuff said.
Seriously though, the visuals are outstanding. I recommend 3D for full immersion. The swinging around, the lightning bolts, the spider sense; all spectacular to witness; never a dull moment in the action, and very well choreographed. If you can't be entertained by this stuff, I'm not sure what would. It's the delicious icing on a delicious cake. You know how rare it is to get good cake AND good icing? (That might just be me)
The
Music is another stand out in this wildly different movie. I say wildly different, and the music supports that. I find it is the most successful experiment thoughout the long list of CBMs. This isn't your typical orchestral score. This isn't typical Hans Zimmer (Not that he's typical, but he's got his style). This is modern. Some folks won't like that. Yes, a little bit of Dubsteppiness seeps in through the pores of the music, but it's a fantastic sound to go along with Electro and Harry. More so Electro though. It really is a great marriage of orchestra and electronic. A memorable and fitting sound for Spider-man. I gladly accept the change from the first films kind of forgettable score.
Conclusion:
This is the Spider-man movie for someone to see, if ever there was one. It really is not as jam-packed as many are making it out to be. Although it is very much a comic brought to life (more than others), the story is not so muddled as to take away from the impact of things. Comics are constantly setting things up for the future, but there is closer to a minimum amount of set-up being done than the maximum. Exciting things are ahead for the Spidey universe.
There's a very different kind of sense of humor behind the making of this movie. I think I can absolutely understand that this Spider-man movie is not going to be everyone's cup of tea. It IS different. The cheesiness of the source material and spider-man himself are present in a way that may be off-putting to some audiences. Spider-man comics are often funny and lame at the same time, in a good way of course. This sentiment was nailed on behalf of the movie. Things aren't completely being taken too seriously. Sometimes letting it go and run wild is the best thing for it.
I had a fantastic time at the theater, twice already in as many days. This is truly a unique Spider-man movie, as well as a CBM. The romance blooms, the action amazes, the villians pop (Electro sure does), and the story moves foward. It's intense and heartfelt and, well... amazing. Finally.
This film was LEGEN-wait for it-DARY in my book. I couldn't be happier (at least I don't think so) with how this universe is turning out and how this movie itself turned out. Good on Sony for letting Marc Webb make the Spidey movie he was probably dying to make since 2010.
LEGENDARY - Great - Average - Bad - Disastrous
Thanks for reading.
What say you, fellow CBMers?
Marsiv Nayr