by Cookie N Screen
There is already a lot of contention surrounding Marc Webb’s possibly unwarranted re-boot of the much beloved Spider-Man series. Popping an "Amazing" in front of it and allowing Andrew Garfield to tackling the webbed hero put fans of Sam Raimi’s seminal Toby Macguire fronted trilogy in a sticky situation. After all, Raimi and Macguire successfully battled through villains and monsters, producing two stirring movies that captured the essence of Spider-Man in all its cheese. And then there was Spider-Man 3 (or as we like to call it, the sequel that should not be named). So when Sony proposed the remake, juxtaposed against an entire backdrop of incredible super-hero based movies, it was either condemn it or support it. The Amazing Spider-Man, released back in 2012, was actually a brilliant transformation for Spidey. It’s a shame, however, that the sequel failed to continue that excellence.
There is already a lot of contention surrounding Marc Webb’s possibly unwarranted re-boot of the much beloved Spider-Man series. Popping an "Amazing" in front of it and allowing Andrew Garfield to tackling the webbed hero put fans of Sam Raimi’s seminal Toby Macguire fronted trilogy in a sticky situation. After all, Raimi and Macguire successfully battled through villains and monsters, producing two stirring movies that captured the essence of Spider-Man in all its cheese. And then there was Spider-Man 3 (or as we like to call it, the sequel that should not be named). So when Sony proposed the remake, juxtaposed against an entire backdrop of incredible super-hero based movies, it was either condemn it or support it. The Amazing Spider-Man, released back in 2012, was actually a brilliant transformation for Spidey. It’s a shame, however, that the sequel failed to continue that excellence.
It’s a year or so later after the events of TASM left New York picking up the pieces and Peter Park secretly dating Gwen Stacey under the gaze of her ghost father (all in his head, however). Heralded as a hero by some and a criminal by others, Peter struggles to navigate his relationship, the onslaught of criminals and holding down a job. However, events transpire when his biggest fan Max, who has been ignored and picked on all his life, ends up in an electrical accident turning him into the super-villain inspirationally called Electro. On the rich side of New York, Norman Osborne has died and his son Harry is debilitating from the same disease. When his old best friend Peter reconnects with him, Harry is dismayed when no one around him seems to help him out. As he uncovers secrets of his father’s work, the world just turned a little darker…
Wait, haven’t we seen this before? Like, nearly all superhero movies that have come before it? Yawn. Not only do we have a super rich boy controlling a company that have been manufacturing weapons for super-hero suits under everyone noses but we have Harry directly opposed by a vicious board trustee who doesn’t want him at the head of the business. Sure, he turns out to be a little evil (like a lot) but it’s a recycled Bat-trope. There is also the case of the nerd who is besotted by their icon, is let down by said hero, and is overcome by craziness and turns it against the hero. It’s the Syndrome syndrome all over again. The general feel of TASM2 is that this is a tired and worn out plot that never really excites.
On a plus side, it is charged with some highly intense performances. Dane Deehan has made sure that the memory of this…
Wait, haven’t we seen this before? Like, nearly all superhero movies that have come before it? Yawn. Not only do we have a super rich boy controlling a company that have been manufacturing weapons for super-hero suits under everyone noses but we have Harry directly opposed by a vicious board trustee who doesn’t want him at the head of the business. Sure, he turns out to be a little evil (like a lot) but it’s a recycled Bat-trope. There is also the case of the nerd who is besotted by their icon, is let down by said hero, and is overcome by craziness and turns it against the hero. It’s the Syndrome syndrome all over again. The general feel of TASM2 is that this is a tired and worn out plot that never really excites.
On a plus side, it is charged with some highly intense performances. Dane Deehan has made sure that the memory of this…
.. is as far back as possible in our memories. He plays earnest and troubled Harry to near perfection and twists the insanity believably. Jamie Foxx is great as Max/Electro and manages to sincerely convey the awkwardness of max that somehow transfers to the, tee hee hee, electrifying villain. And then there is real life couple Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone who are at the core of this sequel and trundle it along with chemistry, charm and wit that make their centric relationship fresh and unique.
Without meaning to spoil the film (which I am actually not because it was TASM2's worst kept secret,) there is one such scene that was beautiful in its tragedy. The obvious fall of Gwen Stacy (to make way for Mary Jane one can presume but all it did was leave us wanting Emma Stone to come back in a red wig,) was a stunningly captivated moment. The visual effects were stunning poignant making the death of Gwen suddenly horrific. The inching of the web that formed little hands to try and catch her will take your breath-away so it’s a bravo to the CGI team for entrancing us with this beautiful yet sorrow-filled scene.
It’s just a shame that it is all wrapped up in this rather dull setting. There is barely anything offered to you for investing over two hours of your time. It even feels remarkably like the first in its repetition; two deaths, two villains (if you count Ratha from the first film,) and Spidey being pulled back from the distraught events by a powerful speech or a couple of words. It’s not an entirely bad film but it does nothing to relieve your boredom which is a shame because it could have been so much better. Heck, as tripe as it was at least Spider-Man 3 was entertaining (-ly bad). Though, the enjoyable hints of the next film will keep the most avid fans going through to the inevitable third slot, this doesn't offer high hopes. But compared to Marvel's Avenger series, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a lacklustre affair when it should be highly enjoyable.
Without meaning to spoil the film (which I am actually not because it was TASM2's worst kept secret,) there is one such scene that was beautiful in its tragedy. The obvious fall of Gwen Stacy (to make way for Mary Jane one can presume but all it did was leave us wanting Emma Stone to come back in a red wig,) was a stunningly captivated moment. The visual effects were stunning poignant making the death of Gwen suddenly horrific. The inching of the web that formed little hands to try and catch her will take your breath-away so it’s a bravo to the CGI team for entrancing us with this beautiful yet sorrow-filled scene.
It’s just a shame that it is all wrapped up in this rather dull setting. There is barely anything offered to you for investing over two hours of your time. It even feels remarkably like the first in its repetition; two deaths, two villains (if you count Ratha from the first film,) and Spidey being pulled back from the distraught events by a powerful speech or a couple of words. It’s not an entirely bad film but it does nothing to relieve your boredom which is a shame because it could have been so much better. Heck, as tripe as it was at least Spider-Man 3 was entertaining (-ly bad). Though, the enjoyable hints of the next film will keep the most avid fans going through to the inevitable third slot, this doesn't offer high hopes. But compared to Marvel's Avenger series, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a lacklustre affair when it should be highly enjoyable.
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