The Amazing Spider Man 2 was looking to follow the same trajectory as comic book film sequels like The Dark Knight, and Captain America: Winter Soldier: get better. Unfortunately it appears to me, and the many other people who saw this film, that TASM2 not only wasn't better than its predecessor, but it was a clear step back. The film opens with Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) fully engaged in his everyday life of being Spider Man and dating Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). Early on we are introduced to the first of 3 villains in this movie in the form of Russian mobster "The Rhino" (Paul Giamatti), and immediately the tone that worked so well in the last movie is immediately put in danger. This proved to be an ongoing issue throughout the film, as the tone would constantly switch between dramatic, comical, romantic, and at times to just flat out sad. Once the supposed main villain Electro (Jamie Fox) is introduced, the movie began to lose its structure. We never really know what his purpose is, or why he is so damn angry. The only thing we do know is that he is now firmly a part of the cheesy villain pantheon alongside Jim Carey's Riddler and the Governators Mr. Freeze. That is not a compliment. With about 20 minutes to go, I was about ready to walk out the door. Thankfully, the ending was not that bad. Actually it was pretty good. If you are not familiar with the comic books, then the ending of the movie might shock you a little; and you might like it or despise it. Nevertheless, the one bright spot of the film is the fantastic chemistry between real life couple Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. Their relationship makes sense, and you cannot help but root for them in this movie. That being said, it is not enough to make up for the clear flaws, and ultimately lead me to give it a positive review. The people over at Sony better recognize that this movie is really close to being a flat out piece of trash.
Verdict: I want my $12 back (Don't See it)
WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
Are you still here? Well if you are, I am obligated to warn you again that this portion of the review contains the biggest spoiler of any movie this summer; and knowing it will tremendously alter how you experience this movie. Okay, you've been warned. Good god. The Amazing Spider Man 2 sucks. SUCKS. It really pains me to say that too, because I was so looking forward to this movie; and the first installment was a very pleasant surprise. But just because you make one great movie, does not give you the right to assume we will just mindlessly praise the sequel if it is a sub par film. I mean come on, why would you take everything that was great about the first movie, and then just do the opposite of it in the sequel. It's like saying " You know my car works really well when I put gasoline in it, but maybe it will work even BETTER if I replace the gasoline with almond milk!" Really? The first Amazing Spider Man had a pretty consistent serious tone, but before it got too dramatic the director sprinkled in a few light hearted moments to keep the audience fresh. In TASM2 it was oppositely overly comical with little bits of time where it actually took itself seriously.
I knew I was in trouble as soon I heard the Rhino speak. He literally acted and sounded like he should be in a saturday morning cartoon. It screamed Jar-Jar Binks. And Jar-Jar Binks syndrome is the movie equivalent of an STD. Do you really want to advertise that you have a "Jar-Jar Binks"? Probably not. Then you go and get a world class talent in Jamie fox, and turn him into this blue, one-liner dropping fool. Some of the things he was saying had my jaw dropping, and not in the good way. He said something like " Its my birthday....time to blow out my candles". When that line was uttered, I looked around the theater and was like " did he really just say that"? By the way where did he get that cool spandex suit that just happened to have a bunch of lightning bolts all over it? If it were not for the Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy relationship; this might have been one of the worst movies of all time, and surely one of the biggest disappointments. Their chemistry is fantastic, and that end scene where Peter holds her lifeless body in his hands knowing that he directly caused her death was very touching. I hope you have seen the movie because yes, Gwen Stacy dies at the end of this film. I warned you. The Green Goblin did look pretty cool I must admit even though he was in the movie for a total of five seconds. Upon watching this film for the second time I could not help but feel that this movie was just lazily put together. The story was all over the place, and had no real direction. This movie was made to simply introduce the Green Goblin and kill Gwen Stacy. Here lies my biggest problem with this movie. Sony clearly has plans to make more spider man movies. What was the best part of this piece of crap movie? Peter Parker and GWEN STACY. Um, yeah, can't bet on that being back for the sequel; so what do we have to look forward to? More Rhino? No thanks. This franchise has killed off its most likable character at the worst time possible. I have a deep fear for this franchise, as the fans have let there voice be heard as TASM2 is underperforming at the box office. Not enough to where the sequels are being scrapped, but enough to where the people at Sony have to make changes. I will see the next Spider Man movie because everyone is allowed one dud here and there. However if we see more of the same from the next installment; I am done with this series. So here is hoping that they fix this monstrosity that they have in theaters right now, and go back to the things that have been proven to work.
Rating: 4/10
Thanks for reading my review of The Amazing Spider Man 2! What did you think of the film? Was I too harsh? If there are other movies out there that you would like me to review, new or old, do not hesitate to ask. I hope you enjoyed this review, and be on the lookout for other reviews. Cough, Godzilla, cough cough.
- Big D
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