The Amazing Spider-Man 2
(B- or 2.5/4 stars)
This superhero sequel, 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' (directed again by Marc Webb) has its problems, but I enjoyed it, and it gets by thanks to some very good performances, wonderful romantic chemistry, & several stunning special effect-driven action sequences. Andrew Garfield returns as Peter Parker/Spidey who, when not fighting crime & saving lives throughout NYC, is stilllll coping with the mysterious death of his parents (Campbell Scott, Embeth Davidz). He's also trying to be a good nephew to stressed, widowed Aunt May (Sally Field). Added to this is Peter's complicated relationship with his high school valedictorian, Oxford-bound girlfriend, Gwen Stacy (adorable Emma Stone), whose late father (Denis Leary) plead with him not to involve Gwen in his dangerous endeavors.
Meanwhile, his old childhood friend Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan, of Chronicle, Kill Your Darlings), heir to the omnipresent $billion tech corporation OsCorp, discovers that a horrible industrial accident involving mutant electric eels turns loyal, mild-tempered engineer Max Dillon (an underused Jamie Foxx) into the villainous super-villain Electro, who is empowered by electricity & looks to destroy the very person he once idolized ... Spider-Man. Everything culminates in an electro-charged climax involving Spidey & Electro; followed by Spidey having to fend off DeHaan's Green Goblin, who believes that his genetic anomaly - which also killed his father (Chris Cooper) - can only be cured by absorbing some of Spider-Man's blood. Drama, tragedy, & cathartis ensues.
I enjoyed 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2'. As mentioned, there are problems; it's a little long, a bit overstuffed, too mechanical. But there are many strengths which override any 'overall' feeling of being disappointed. Real-life sweethearts Andrew Garfield & Emma Stone are magic on camera together. Simply put ... the romantic subplot of this Spider-Man sequel the absolute best reason to see this movie. As Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield wears his emotions on his sleeve. He's wise-cracking, charming, relatable, often tormented, and at his most lovable when he's with the 2 loves of his life, whip-smart girlfriend Gwen & devoted Aunt May.
There is one scene btwn. Peter & Aunt May that is so touching that it almost made me forget any nagging issues I was having with the film. I teared up; and that's a tribute to Garfield & Sally Field's sensitive work. The 2nd time I teared up was a wrenching scene late in the proceedings btwn. Garfield & Stone. So yeah, if you haven't gotten it yet, I loved Garfield & Stone; ditto Sally Field. Colm Feore is good as a duplicitous OsCorp executive. Felicity Jones has a minor part as Harry Osborn's slinky secretary. Stan Lee has his usual cameo. I liked Dane DeHaan as the initially vulnerable, but increasingly oily, rageful Harry Osborn. And Jamie Foxx, well, he's okay with what he's given to do. But I feel that the script shortchanged possibilities for him to become a real full-bodied, menacing villain.
The script doesn't really give anybody due justice because there's A LOT going on in the narrative. There are a few too many villains, too many scenes that go on 20-30 seconds too long, & too much exposition. i.e., we get the whole OsCorp conspiracy that Peter Parker's parents were a part of; we get the shallow hatred of Electro; we get Harry Osborn-getting-sicker subplots. Because of these subplots, we are then shortchanged integral character-building moments. Take for instance Peter & Harry. Garfield & DeHaan do the very best they can to make their 'friendship' palpable, but they just aren't afforded nearly enough time to make us believe that their friendship was something to base high stakes on. Thusly, aside from one particular tragic consequence, the Green Goblin segment falls flat.
Flaws aside, 'TAS2' should resonate with younger audiences. I liked the message of Hope: though Peter struggles with his many responsibilities, he's reminded to hold onto hope and to instill hope in others, even in his darkest hours. Andrew Garfield is decidedly funnier/more confident in the titular role than predecessor Tobey Maguire. I liked his chemistry with his co-stars. And director Webb gives this franchise a lot of whizz & bang for its buck. I now look forward to the 'TAS3' – I just hope it's a bit better. All the ingredients for a fantastic superhero franchise is there: the lead actor, able co-stars, intelligent direction, amazing filmmaking crews, movie magic. I just need the screenwriters/editors to streamline these stories and not make the finished products as clunky & cluttered as they tend to get.
Meanwhile, his old childhood friend Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan, of Chronicle, Kill Your Darlings), heir to the omnipresent $billion tech corporation OsCorp, discovers that a horrible industrial accident involving mutant electric eels turns loyal, mild-tempered engineer Max Dillon (an underused Jamie Foxx) into the villainous super-villain Electro, who is empowered by electricity & looks to destroy the very person he once idolized ... Spider-Man. Everything culminates in an electro-charged climax involving Spidey & Electro; followed by Spidey having to fend off DeHaan's Green Goblin, who believes that his genetic anomaly - which also killed his father (Chris Cooper) - can only be cured by absorbing some of Spider-Man's blood. Drama, tragedy, & cathartis ensues.
I enjoyed 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2'. As mentioned, there are problems; it's a little long, a bit overstuffed, too mechanical. But there are many strengths which override any 'overall' feeling of being disappointed. Real-life sweethearts Andrew Garfield & Emma Stone are magic on camera together. Simply put ... the romantic subplot of this Spider-Man sequel the absolute best reason to see this movie. As Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield wears his emotions on his sleeve. He's wise-cracking, charming, relatable, often tormented, and at his most lovable when he's with the 2 loves of his life, whip-smart girlfriend Gwen & devoted Aunt May.
There is one scene btwn. Peter & Aunt May that is so touching that it almost made me forget any nagging issues I was having with the film. I teared up; and that's a tribute to Garfield & Sally Field's sensitive work. The 2nd time I teared up was a wrenching scene late in the proceedings btwn. Garfield & Stone. So yeah, if you haven't gotten it yet, I loved Garfield & Stone; ditto Sally Field. Colm Feore is good as a duplicitous OsCorp executive. Felicity Jones has a minor part as Harry Osborn's slinky secretary. Stan Lee has his usual cameo. I liked Dane DeHaan as the initially vulnerable, but increasingly oily, rageful Harry Osborn. And Jamie Foxx, well, he's okay with what he's given to do. But I feel that the script shortchanged possibilities for him to become a real full-bodied, menacing villain.
The script doesn't really give anybody due justice because there's A LOT going on in the narrative. There are a few too many villains, too many scenes that go on 20-30 seconds too long, & too much exposition. i.e., we get the whole OsCorp conspiracy that Peter Parker's parents were a part of; we get the shallow hatred of Electro; we get Harry Osborn-getting-sicker subplots. Because of these subplots, we are then shortchanged integral character-building moments. Take for instance Peter & Harry. Garfield & DeHaan do the very best they can to make their 'friendship' palpable, but they just aren't afforded nearly enough time to make us believe that their friendship was something to base high stakes on. Thusly, aside from one particular tragic consequence, the Green Goblin segment falls flat.
Flaws aside, 'TAS2' should resonate with younger audiences. I liked the message of Hope: though Peter struggles with his many responsibilities, he's reminded to hold onto hope and to instill hope in others, even in his darkest hours. Andrew Garfield is decidedly funnier/more confident in the titular role than predecessor Tobey Maguire. I liked his chemistry with his co-stars. And director Webb gives this franchise a lot of whizz & bang for its buck. I now look forward to the 'TAS3' – I just hope it's a bit better. All the ingredients for a fantastic superhero franchise is there: the lead actor, able co-stars, intelligent direction, amazing filmmaking crews, movie magic. I just need the screenwriters/editors to streamline these stories and not make the finished products as clunky & cluttered as they tend to get.