Rating of
2/4
Spider-Man Spins a Bigger Web
Unknown - wrote on 05/04/14
'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' is a jam-packed sequel full of characters, plots, sub-plots, action, comedy, and drama. There's never a dull moment. That's also what has governed the film's most notable criticism. Many feel that the film is 'overstuffed'. I would agree with that to a point. Some characters and their individual stories feel rushed because of the need to fit so much in all at once, combining elements to lay groundwork for the next few sequels and spinoffs. It does feel unnecessary when it causes the focus to not be maintained and the whole experience to seem disjointed narratively. Things don't flow smoothly together. And 'The Rhino' just ins't needed. However, that's my only major complaint. Everything else is top notch. The action/SFX contain much spectacle. The 'final' battle is quite tense. The strongest aspect, and the backbone to the entire narrative of the film, is the dramatic relationships between various characters. Most notably is the investing romance between Peter and Gwen, which feels authentic and genuine. Also worth note are the relationships with Peter and his aunt Mae, and his one time childhood friend Harry Osbourne. I only wish the latter would've had more time to develop. All three of these combine to create some emotional highs and lows that felt well deserved. The climax is truly heartbreaking. DeHaan and Foxx give a good amount of complexity to their villains to make them a bit compassionate, while still menacing. There are many great individual moments spread throughout a hefty, slightly off-kilter, story. The end result still comes out positive.
