“The Amazing Spider-man 2” may have more plot than needed, but the Webslinger satisfies and the film leaves its mark.
Hello Moviegoers! Tis’ the summer of Marvel and “The Amazing Spiderman 2” doesn’t disappoint with multiple villains, origin back story to fulfill the comic book nerd in all of us, introductions of comic counterparts, and it tugs at the heartstrings of even the most non-romantic individuals. Unfortunately, the film oversteps with its many stories and it takes away from the core of the narrative.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2 ½ sweet potatoes out of four) Stars: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Colm Feore, Felicity Jones, Campbell Scott, Embeth Davidtz, Paul Giamatti, Marton Csokas, and Sally Field; Director: Mark Webb; Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy; Rated: PG-13; Running times: 142 minutes; Opens: Friday, May 2, 2014.
Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is running late, again, to his high school graduation fighting the never ending good fight. His on again, off again love, Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) gives a valedictory speech about hope which becomes a defining motif for the film. Spidey arrives late and we learn the pair are back together, but Peter is still haunted by the death of Captain Stacy (Denis Leary) which leads to another break-up for the two which is a repeating ordeal.
Max Dillion (Jamie Foxx) is a nerdy electrical energy, a nobody to the world, and a Spider-man fanatic after being saved by the Webslinger. An accident at Oscorp turns Dillion into Electro, an electrical powered being with superhuman abilities. Additionally, the death of Norman Osbourne (Chris Cooper) marks the return of his son, Harry (Dane DeHaan) who is also dying from the same disease as his father. Both Dillion and Harry become the primary villains of the film as their own personal shortcomings and Spider-man’s inability to live up to their picturesque ideal of hope drives them to vengeance.
The film includes comic characters like Rhino, Dr. Kafka, Felicia Hardy aka The Black Cat, and the mysterious Man in the Shadows all which create excellent plot lines for future films. As much as I love to see those characters on the screen, they infringed upon the real movie which was rooted in Peter and Gwen’s relationship. Most of all, Richard Parker’s (Campbell Scott) back story adds nothing to the film, but wastes a solid thirty minutes of screen time.
Out of all the Spider-man films, this is the first where the primary focus isn’t the villain, but Peter’s personal struggles, which play out in his varying relationships. Emma Stone is simply wonderful, and her chemistry with Garfield instructs the films narrative. I give “The Amazing Spider-man 2” two and a half sweet potatoes out of four.
This is A. P. Richardson for moviegoersview and I will see you after the movies at moviegoersview.com.
Moviegoers View – Entertainment. Culture. Talk.