This is my first review, and English is not my native tongue, but I'll just give it a go.
Though maybe not on par with Winter Soldier or The Avengers, this certainly is one of the best CBM's I've ever seen. Of course comic book purists will again be given lots of reasons to complain, as it is not very faithfull to the comics story-wise, but it DOES make up for that by providing the right feel. Of course, even movie-wise there are also a couple of things that aren't really necessary, but overall I'd say it's still a damn good watch.
THE MOVIE:
I actually had to go through some trouble finding a replacement for the friend I was originally planning on going with before being able to see this movie, but there I finally was as the movie started. Was it worth all that effort?
Hell Yeah! It is indeed the best Spidey movie yet!
I liked it a lot that it opens the same as 2012's The Amazing Spider-Man, but this time from Richard Parker's perspective. We see that Richard wasn't just playing a game of hide and seek with his boy back then, and we shortly see how Peter comes to live with his aunt and uncle once more as the film jumps to the present, where Spidey faces the guy who will later become Rhino, who's facial expressions alone are HILARIOUS, though 80% of his footage you've already seen in the trailers. In fact, fighting Rhino is some kind of metaphore for status quo in this film. You'll understand when you've seen it. You'll laugh your ass off.
The movie score helps you get into the movie really fast and I thought it fit the movie very well, maybe even a big part of what makes it so great. It was very epic and it made my spidey-sense tingle.
The humor is great and all the romantic stuff is really good too, making it a film you actually can take your girlfriend to without having to feel guilty (although for obvious reasons you probably shouldn't). The action is really good too, although they could have made better use of 3d. Of course the action scenes we've seen in the trailers are done very nice, but outside of the action, we get very little 3d effects compared to other films in the CBM genre.
THE GOOD:
The movie score, and it's usage of humor were the things that made the movie to me. It's a movie that plays to your emotions, and in my case, was succesful in that area. I still can't stop talking about it to the friend who could't come yesterday. But whenever it gets too sentimental, it will make you laugh your ass off immediatly, for instance by having Peter have a "Does whatever a spider can" ringtone or even having that line in the film. Aunt May, as expected, was very well portrayed again, giving Peter once again two people worrying over him. Also the friendship between Harry and Peter feels more realistic and funnier this time around, which I felt from the first time they shared the screen. Excepting of course the late Captain Stacy there isn't a canonical character in the movie that never makes you laugh. Garfield IS the Peter Parker we know from the comics. Period. Seriously, you Laundry Sherrif. :P
THE BAD:
Of course there is some. Brace yourself. Seriously. No, I mean really. Done? Good, here we go: Before Max becomes Electro he reminded me of how Jim Carrey was before he became the Riddler in 1995's Batman Forever. And by this I'm afraid I mean reminded me A LOT. Not that it's not funny, but it's just that it's a different actor pulling the same gag we already know. That actually was the most disturbing thing to me about the film. Also, when Richard Parker's secret is finally revealed it adds very little to the movie, maybe proven by the fact that I've already forgotten what it actually was... Felicia's presence felt very forced, as she was an employee of Harry, and, if my memory serves me right, she doesn't even meet Peter at all. I even thought she was gonna be evil in this movie at first because of all that, although she probably will give most male viewers "a certain feeling in a certain place", which pretty much seems to be her characters entire purpuse in this movie. Not complaining, just saying. ;-) Also it took me a minute to realise that I just saw Norman Osborn die. Every movie has it's weaknesses, but this movie overall has by far not enough downsides to it to ruin it when seen as a whole. I might even go see it again later this week.
THE EASTER EGGS:
Far too little. Stan Lee's cameo is very funny, having him discover Spidey's identity and all, but nowhere near the one from The Avengers or even the library scene from the first film. I couldn't detect any references to other, non Spider-Man based characters, although that could have had something to do with my limited knowledge of 60's/70's comics. All significant easter eggs I noticed are in the trailers. One of the few aspects of the movie that is actually lacking. There wasn't even an after credits scene aside from an X-men DFOP trailer which in fact, cut in and out so abruptly that I actually suspect the theater cutting it in themselves. Could have used a Black Cat or maybe even a clone reference if there really wasn't something else.
THE SPOILERS:
Some of you need them, I always keep reading and regret reading them too. Let's get it over with.
- Yes, Of course Gwen dies. Very sad scene, few will hate, many will try hard not to shed a tear...
- Smythe really does nothing apart from being in the movie. I remember no wheelchair either...
- Max Dillon becomes Electro by accident. At the beginning of the Times Square scene from the trailers he isn't mad. You could consider the cops' treating him as a suspect the reason for him becoming "evil". (Read: misunderstood)
- Cooper's Norman Osborn is very different from Dafoe's. He's much more silent, though there is the necessary "Just look at yourself, Harry"-moment. On a side note considering Cooper, you should watch "Interstate 60" after you come home from the theater. He has a different way of dealing with death there. You'll learn to love the man. DeHaan had Franco's good qualities but not his bad ones. Why are we comparing again?
-
Harry and Electro team up. (Read: Harry uses Max)
- The male Dr. Kafka is corrupt, secretly experimenting and reporting to Oscorp. Never mentioned by name, though, a "true" Kafka is still possible.
- Speaking of Oscorp, they seem to make less of an effort to conceal their world domination plans. No one really seems to care. Felt slightly off to me. Slightly. But I'm kinda stupid and I think others won't be so obliging.
- Harry becomes the Goblin because he inhereted the disease that killed his father. So his motivation to fight his former best friend is "Survival" instead of "Revenge"in his new portrayal, which again, will be both loved and despised. I, for one, loved it so much that I wanted to make love to it, but I know others will disagree.
- Felicia never drops even a slightly serious hint of becoming the cat(I believe she said meow once and that's it), and if MJ was in there then they hid her very well. Aunt May never even mentions her friend Anna or a blind date.(Another missed Easter Eggs chance, anyone?) I don't know why a MJ was cast but I didn't see her. Sorry, Tiger...
- Our favorite newspaper editor, JJJ, is mentioned a couple of times, but never seen. Parker taking pictures of his Amazing self is also mentioned. (By Harry, so he must have been working at the Bugle for a while already, I guess.)
- While you already know Electro isn't really evil he's still scary when he's being badass. Harry provides the more maniacal villain-type, since's he's actually fighting for his life. They both look good doing it too.
- Goblin and Electro all survive and everything is back to normal, as proven by the final shot were our new favourite Russian has finally become Rhino and charges at our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man.
OVERALL:
A good movie that's gonna be either loved or hated. I'd give it 4 stars out of 5. Not as good as Winter Soldier, The Avengers, or The Dark Knight, but it's getting really close. Could have used a little more Easter Eggs, and a lot less Edward Nygma. Also, the first Spidey movie where you actually miss Flash Thompson(WTF?!), who I can't recall appearing.
Other than that a fine movie which I will certainly buy on Blu Ray when the time comes, although a 3D Blu Ray might not be necessary... If you love CBM's you really should watch it yourself as soon as you get the chance! I'm Spider-bad. Ah-Choo!
'Nuff said...
Hope you liked my review.