My Spidey's Back!

Let me preface by saying I consider myself a huge Spider-Man fan. Comic book nerds may find that statement hypocritical because I've never read any of the comics. I've done enough research of the comics to know about Peter Parker and his amazing adventures, but that's it. I am thoroughly a fan of the movies. To get a little insight of my slightly biased love for Sam Raimi's first Spider-Man flick, please peruse this vignette in Joe Moore's life.

Okay on with the review!

Since everyone is asking, the answer is yes. I have seen The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Yes, I enjoyed it. Do I think it's the best of the films? Not at all. I don't understand why the critics are trashing it though. It's better than its predecessor, and it's certainly better than Raimi's Spider-Man 3, a film that also had one too many villains and numerous plot threads.

The best part of AS2 is the romance between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. Both Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are excellent, and the chemistry between them is dynamite. If you thought they were good in the first film, you will fall in love with them here. They are so cute! They're so good anytime the action starts up, you wish it would stop just so the pair can bicker or gaze longingly into each other's eyes. They even made me shed a tear or two so thanks a lot, you two! No really, thank you.

Speaking of the action scenes, they are much better this go-around. Maybe the first flick was just a practice round for director Marc Webb because he feels a lot more comfortable handling the action. There's some very nifty slow-motion that I dug a lot. The only downside is there's not really a standout action set piece. They're cool, but nothing pops out like either the Aunt May ping-pong or the runaway train sequence in Raimi's Spider-Man 2.

Now for the other downside: the villains. Jamie Foxx's Max Dillon is slightly nerdy with no self-confidence and no friends. We're supposed to feel sympathy for his fate, but the way Foxx played him made the character kinda pathetic and unlikable. Then after the incident that turns him into Electro, he decides to go bad so people will notice him? Dude, you're blue and shooting electricity everywhere. People are noticing you. Then there's Dane DeHaan as Harry Osburn. He makes for a great brooder, but his slide into madness is unfortunately rushed. He is creepy as the Green Goblin though. Don't even get me started on Paul Giamatti's Rhino. His role is a cameo. He's a good fit for the role though so hopefully he'll be better used in part 3 or the rumored Sinister Six movie.

A lot of people are complaining about the mid-section being dull. I don't think so. The mid-section has Peter finding out the truth behind his father's research. That's one plot-line I found the first film threw away halfway through so I was more than thrilled to see it continued and resolved here. Oh, and before I wrap up, can I just say how much I love Sally Field as Aunt May? She and Garfield have a terrific scene halfway into the movie, and I almost cried. Almost.

So no the latest Spidey installment isn't perfect. There's still a part of me that wishes Sony had just left well enough alone, and these two flicks shouldn't exist. However they do exist, and I'm okay with that. Sure, the villains needed a bit more development, and there's no standout action sequence, but as long as you have Garfield and Stone being ADORABLE, that's okay. I wouldn't say the film is a must-see, but it is entertaining. Check it out for yourselves, and let me know what you think!