The Amazing Spider-Man 2 has released to some mixed reactions. I find this somewhat shocking, considering how many defenders the first film had. Personally, I thought the reboot was kinda garbage, so I find myself in the odd position of really liking this sequel much better. It improved on just about every aspect of the original that bothered me: The parents' plotline was actually explored. Aunt May actually got important scenes. Peter was less of a jerk to everyone- and actually funny as Spiderman. The villain(s) had better motivations. And the movie actually is interested in world-building, with many cameos and set ups, that delve deeper into the Spider-Man history and mythology than the original trilogy ever did.
Now, I really like Raimi's movies. I even did a comparison article explaining what his Spidey adaptation does that this new series fails at. But that may all have to change. Amazing Spider-Man 2 has a child standing up to the Rhino, and I can't recall ever being that moved by a moment in a Spiderman movie. The shoe is on the other foot now. In my opinion, this is a great film, a phenomenally improved sequel, and as much as I liked Captain America: The Winter Soldier, I'd argue TASM2 is the new King of the Hill until X-Men and Gaurdians of the Galaxy arrive. So I'd like to point to the 3 main things that sold it for me.
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I have to admit that I was one of the many people that had a problem with what this movie was doing with Electro. Of course, there had to be changes made- the character is an inherent cartoon- but that's just the problem: he's a cheesy villain to begin with. Jamie Foxx played this up, and even though I was reminded too much of Edward Nygma's Riddler turn in Batman Forever, complete with man crush over our hero, Max Dillon's pathetic "notice me!" persona is fine for what it is. What takes this to the next level, and what I would like to take a moment to praise, is just how powerful Electro is depicted in this picture. With the reach of his abilites, and all that he can effect, I might go on to say Electro is the most
powerful villain I may have ever seen in a comic book movie. Scenes like seeing him zap a CEO and bring him back to life, as well as Peter working hard to figure out a way to get his webbing to be effective against the villain, really elevate Electro to one of Spiderman's most challenging foes so far.
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For a trilogy that takes 3 films going through the relationship between Peter and Harry, Toby Maguire and James Franco never felt like they were ever all that close. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 establishes a kinship between Parker and Osborne in less than a third of that time; showing there was clear history and effection between these two young men, despite the fact this is the first time we are seeing them onscreen together. The few Peter/Harry scenes here, are better than any and all of what Sam Raimi offered during th entirety of his run. Dane DeHaan was excellent here as the creepy and awkward Harry (Franco seemed miscast as a jock) who fell into his father's wealth, and personally came to resent and hate Spiderman. Some have argued the character arc here moves as fast as Venom's did in Spider-Man 3, right down to the late act metamorphisis. Well, then so be it. Ironically, I find both Goblin and Venom to be the best parts of their movies.
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SPOILERS
Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. I'd argue there is no better onscreen couple in all of CBMs. Director Marc Webb's strength clearly lies in natural-feeling romance (500 Days of Summer) and the chemestry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone continues to be the heartbeat of these films. I do not envy the next actress that will be brought in to fill Stone's boots- The relationship between Parker and Stacy is so strong, it will be hard to see him moving on to someone else. The passage of time, when Peter mourns at the grave, is as powerful a scene as you'll find in a superhero film, surpassing great lady deaths like Elektra and Rachel Dawes. It is a testament to TASM2 that Gwen's death is every bit as effective onscreen as it was on the page- even when we knew it was coming.