FILM REVIEW: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2
/Amazing Spider-Man 2
When I came out from seeing 'The Amazing Spider-Man', part of me felt relieved because it wasn't a bad film but the other part of me felt underwhelmed. I felt the retelling of the origins story wasn't necessary, I felt that the development of the villain was sloppy and that there wasn't enough focus on Peter Parker's parents past.
Now we have 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2', which was a film that I was slightly worried about during its production. I thought it was going to be another Spider-Man 3 where the high quantity of villains didn't fit well with the film's narrative, as well as falling into the silly category.
Luckily, I came out overwhelmed. 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' is an improvement from its predecessor with both story and action.
Set a few months after the events of TASM, Peter is getting used to fighting crime as the costumed hero. However, he is still haunted by the fact that he broke a promise to George Stacy, who wanted Peter to stay away from Gwen in order to keep her safe. He is also faced with another villain named Electro, who can control electricity. However, on he plus side he is reunited with his old best friend Harry Osborn...but that friendship soon alternates to something else...
Whilst TASM concentrated on Peter becoming Spider-Man, TASM2 sees the masked hero take a back seat in order for Peter's problems to be the centre. From trying to discover what happened to his parents to having relationship issues with Gwen, the film allows its audience to look deeper into the character of Peter and see when he isn't fighting crime, he really struggles to cope with these mysteries and problems. Director Marc Webb's speciality is making the relationships on screen feel real and that's exactly what he does here. It was evident from the first film that Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone were a perfect match for the film's love duo but one relationship that stands out in this film is the one that Peter and Harry share. Once they're on screen you really do feel as though you are witnessing two old friends reuniting, who at first find it awkward and surreal but soon find that friendship they used to have.
There have been complaints from fans who haven't been too keen of there being too much emphasis on the relationship between Peter and Gwen. Love is a huge theme in both the Spider-Man films and the comics. Not just between Peter and Gwen, Mary-Jane etc. but Aunt May also. There is more to a superhero than fighting criminals. Their problems also blend in with the story and that's what makes them so interesting. Though they have these incredible powers, behind the mask they are still humans who face problems. With Peter Parker, love is his problem. He wants to have a relationship with Gwen but doesn't want to betray her father, he doesn't want to become distant from Aunt May but he must in order to protect his identity. From my point of view, if the film was just about Spider-Man fighting crime then after a while it would become boring.
The action is also an improvement from the last film. Each fight scene is well choreographed and are entertaining, nail-biting and edge of your seat worthy. The opening chase sequence is a stand-out as it includes good action as well as Spider-Man cracking jokes to the villain he is after. That is the Spidey that we all know and love.
Are there any criticisms? Of course. Even though the story feels bigger and better than the first, the narrative is sometimes all over the place. Though Electro was advertised as the film's big villain, he isn't included as much as predicted. It is understandable why he would turn evil, it's one of those cliched origins where an outsider who doesn't fit in gets angry and turns evil. However, I personally didn't find his motif to be clear. Why did he want to destroy Spider-Man? I do feel as though the script could have had a re-write in places so they could have had Electro's character feel more developed.
Putting criticisms aside, I found this to be a worthy sequel and a big improvement from the last film. Is it the best Spider-Man film? No. I still believe 'Spider-Man 2' is a Marvel solo film that other Marvel solo films will have a tough time topping. But, it makes the future of Spider-Man look positive and I haven't been this excited about a Spider-Man sequel since the credits started rolling at the end of 'Spider-Man 2'. Let's all hope we won't have another Spider-Man 3 on our hands, people.
