Movie Review: The Amazing Spider-Man 2
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
In the superhero movie genre, the second part in a series is typically better than the original (Iron Man 2 being one of the few exceptions to the rule). That’s because the first movie is burdened with the task of setting up the hero’s origin, while the sequel gets to jump right in. Such is the case with The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The only difference with the Spider-Man franchise is that we’ve seen old web head’s origin twice in less than a dozen years. While Amazing breathed new life into the franchise, it was pretty tedious watching because of the plot retreads necessary to tell Spidey’s origin. Thankfully, while a flawed movie, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 doesn’t get caught in a web of similar constraints.
The films opens up with a prologue that provides more insight into Richard and Mary Parker’s back story prior to dropping Peter off with his Aunt May (Sally Field) and Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen). From there we’re fast forwarded to present day where Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield) is running late to his high school graduation because he’s trying to stop a plutonium robbery. In this scene, we get to see a Spider-Man that is closer to the character seen in the comics – light-hearted and funny, without the sarcasm and teen angst. Sure, some of that exists in the film too, but it’s toned down and kept to when Peter deals with parental abandonment issues.
At the core of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is the relationship between Peter and girlfriend Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). Their interactions are the best part of the movie and their chemistry really shines through. I guess it’s a good thing that they’re a real-life couple. Still reeling from the aftermath of the first film, Peter is having issues staying in a relationship with Gwen because of his safety concerns for her. Of course, this adds necessary tension to each of their performances. I thought the film needed some more editing work done in these scenes because they began to overwhelm the narrative, which resulted in more Peter Parker screen time and less Spider-Man screen time.
Going up against Spider-Man is Electro (Jamie Foxx), a former Oscorp employee named Max Dillon who makes Milton from Office Space look like the most popular guy on the block. After a freak accident involving electric eels, Dillon is electrocuted and transformed into the villain Electro. Sadly, instead of someone who should be feared, Foxx’s portrayal would have felt more at home in a Joel Schumacher Batman film. While I didn’t like all the choices they made with Electro on film, I appreciated what they were trying to do. The problem is that they overdo it: too many puns, Dubstep being played every time he shoots out electricity, and some of the choices made during his battle with Spider-Man. Also, Jamie Foxx isn’t really believable as mild-mannered Max Dillon. Instead, Max and Electro come off as giant caricatures in a more serious movie.
Andrew Garfield in “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.” Photo by Niko Tavernise – © 2013 – CTMG. All Rights Reserved.
But Electro is not the only bad guy Spidey has to tangle with. To a much lesser extent, there are also two other battles with other Sinister Six members. While Rhino is a definite tease for the next Spider-Man film, I expected more out of Dane DeHaan’s Harry Osborne/Green Goblin performance. This was the only time The Amazing Spider-Man 2 felt more like a retread than an original picture. When Norman (Chris Cooper) and Harry are together, it’s easy to see why Harry hated his father so much. Sadly, with the main focus being on Peter/Gwen and Electro, Harry’s transformation into Spider-Man’s deadliest foe is introduced with a whimper. While I’m intrigued by the casting of Dehaan, they really botched up all things Green Goblin. That being said, it was a nice touch that all of Peter’s troubles seem to be coming from Oscorp, which almost shrouds the company with a Cyberdyne-like aura.
What it all boils down to is that The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a very passable film (with a surprisingly decent use of 3D) that could have improved itself greatly with some editing. Trimming 30 minutes would have worked wonders here. Another problem I have with this movie is that since it is the fifth Spider-Man movie in 12 years, there’s not much left to tell (or retell) without making people sick of the character. I think Sony realizes the potential burnout with this franchise, which is why Sinister Six is slated as the next film in the Spideyverse. Sadly, Sony is too late for me. I need a break.
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