The Amazing Spider-Man 2
2.5/4
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Dane DeHaan, Sally Field, Jamie Foxx, Colm Feore
Rated PG-13 for Sequences of Sci-Fi Action/Violence
The good news is that "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" is better than the original. The bad news is that it's still not worth your time and money. The first one was almost a play-by-play of the original, and ten years is far too short a time for a remake (if only in spirit) of a mega-blockbuster. This sequel, on the other hand, does what a reboot should do: take the characters and put them in a new story while maintaining a connection to the original. Unfortunately, there are too many plot holes and confusing plot elements to make it worth a trip to the theater.
There's a lot going on in this movie, and most of it is pretty coherent (surprisingly). Peter Parker (Garfield) is having a grand time being the famous web-slinging superhero, although it does put an internal strain on his relationship with his girlfriend Gwen Stacey (Stone). He's got a lot on his plate: an obsessed fan turned electric supervillain who calls himself Electro (Foxx), a dying old friend from the past named Harry Osborn (DeHaan) who needs Spider-Man's blood, and finding the truth about his father (Campbell Scott). Plus we have Harry's personal struggles with Donald Menken (Feore at his sleaziest), the man who is vying for control of Oscorp and his fight to save his life.
Some elements work better than others. The best plotline is Peter's search for the truth about his parents. It's mysterious and compelling, although the answer is a letdown. His relationships with Gwen and Harry are effective, but not well-written. Electro would be an interesting villain had he been better written (a common theme in this movie...). Ditto for the scenes with Menken, although they are even less developed.
The least impressive elements are the action scenes. This is disappointing because they looked really cool in the first entry (especially the first person POV shots). But director Marc Webb steals from Zack Snyder, and the playing with speed in action scenes has gotten kind of old. The action in this movie is generic. That being said, there are some pretty cool special effects. Electro in particular looks amazing; there's one scene where I thought of the Kevin Bacon's transformation in "Hollow Man."
The acting is effective, which, with a cast like this, is to be expected. I love Andrew Garfield, and he makes a great Peter Parker. Tobey Maguire was effective in the original, but his range is limited. The only problem with Garfield is that he has trouble tossing off one-liners. He needs more practice with comedy. Emma Stone is lovely as ever, and Dane DeHaan impresses once again as Harry Osborn. Jamie Foxx gives a good performance, but his character is underwritten. Max Dillon is a lonely and insecure man who, after Spider-Man saves him, develops a stalker-ish crush on him. When he becomes Electro, he realizes that he can gain respect and Spider-Man's attention. Sadly, this element isn't well-developed. Sally Field and Colm Feore also appear. Sadly Chris Cooper is only on screen for one scene, and Paul Giamatti only shows up at the beginning and the end.
Anyone who has seen the trailer will realize that some of the scenes have been left on the cutting room floor. Either editor Pietro Scalia cut out too much or not enough; some parts of the film are confusing and incoherent (especially the action scenes). It's a shame, since two of the most compelling scenes in the trailer (the scene where Harry reveals that Oscorp had Peter under surveillance and Aunt May's (Field) great line: "I once told you that secrets have a cost...the truth does too") are missing. Actually, half the trailer is missing in the film.
This isn't a terrible movie, and while I'm thankful that it's not a regurgitation of one of Sam Raimi's films, I wish it was better.
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Dane DeHaan, Sally Field, Jamie Foxx, Colm Feore
Rated PG-13 for Sequences of Sci-Fi Action/Violence
The good news is that "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" is better than the original. The bad news is that it's still not worth your time and money. The first one was almost a play-by-play of the original, and ten years is far too short a time for a remake (if only in spirit) of a mega-blockbuster. This sequel, on the other hand, does what a reboot should do: take the characters and put them in a new story while maintaining a connection to the original. Unfortunately, there are too many plot holes and confusing plot elements to make it worth a trip to the theater.
There's a lot going on in this movie, and most of it is pretty coherent (surprisingly). Peter Parker (Garfield) is having a grand time being the famous web-slinging superhero, although it does put an internal strain on his relationship with his girlfriend Gwen Stacey (Stone). He's got a lot on his plate: an obsessed fan turned electric supervillain who calls himself Electro (Foxx), a dying old friend from the past named Harry Osborn (DeHaan) who needs Spider-Man's blood, and finding the truth about his father (Campbell Scott). Plus we have Harry's personal struggles with Donald Menken (Feore at his sleaziest), the man who is vying for control of Oscorp and his fight to save his life.
Some elements work better than others. The best plotline is Peter's search for the truth about his parents. It's mysterious and compelling, although the answer is a letdown. His relationships with Gwen and Harry are effective, but not well-written. Electro would be an interesting villain had he been better written (a common theme in this movie...). Ditto for the scenes with Menken, although they are even less developed.
The least impressive elements are the action scenes. This is disappointing because they looked really cool in the first entry (especially the first person POV shots). But director Marc Webb steals from Zack Snyder, and the playing with speed in action scenes has gotten kind of old. The action in this movie is generic. That being said, there are some pretty cool special effects. Electro in particular looks amazing; there's one scene where I thought of the Kevin Bacon's transformation in "Hollow Man."
The acting is effective, which, with a cast like this, is to be expected. I love Andrew Garfield, and he makes a great Peter Parker. Tobey Maguire was effective in the original, but his range is limited. The only problem with Garfield is that he has trouble tossing off one-liners. He needs more practice with comedy. Emma Stone is lovely as ever, and Dane DeHaan impresses once again as Harry Osborn. Jamie Foxx gives a good performance, but his character is underwritten. Max Dillon is a lonely and insecure man who, after Spider-Man saves him, develops a stalker-ish crush on him. When he becomes Electro, he realizes that he can gain respect and Spider-Man's attention. Sadly, this element isn't well-developed. Sally Field and Colm Feore also appear. Sadly Chris Cooper is only on screen for one scene, and Paul Giamatti only shows up at the beginning and the end.
Anyone who has seen the trailer will realize that some of the scenes have been left on the cutting room floor. Either editor Pietro Scalia cut out too much or not enough; some parts of the film are confusing and incoherent (especially the action scenes). It's a shame, since two of the most compelling scenes in the trailer (the scene where Harry reveals that Oscorp had Peter under surveillance and Aunt May's (Field) great line: "I once told you that secrets have a cost...the truth does too") are missing. Actually, half the trailer is missing in the film.
This isn't a terrible movie, and while I'm thankful that it's not a regurgitation of one of Sam Raimi's films, I wish it was better.
you're a fucking moron if you think amazing spider man 2 is better than the first. get a new hobby
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