The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

Running Time: 2 Hours 15 mins
Genre: Action/Fantasy/Super-Hero
Estimated Budget: $200, 000,000
Estimated Gross (International): $47, 000,000

Director: Marc Webb
Writer: Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci
Stars: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx

My Rating: 9/10

Not yet released in the USA Spider-Man is kicking off to a great start internationally with a great opening weekend. We shall see how that gross shoots up when the US audiences get their hands on it.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is following in many comic book movies footsteps in that it is a very impressive sequel, some would even say it is better than the first. I haven't made up my mind which I prefer, but I can say, I thought the film was outstanding.

Marc Webb has returned to the second of an announced 4 film franchise, there has been so much attention following all stages of the making of this film, it is amazing that they were able to keep any of it under wraps. We did discover that Shailene Woodley's Mary Jane had been dropped from the second film due to an already full plot and would be picked up in the third instalment (Woodley may not be able to continue with the role due to now heading her own franchise - Divergent). Felicity Jones accidentally let slip that she would be playing Felicia Hardy aka villain Black Cat. The inclusion of more than one Spidey villain led to rumours which have now been confirmed to the spin off movie centring on the Sinister Six, a collection of villains that were brought together to defeat Spider-Man. With all that going on plus the on-set stills and subsequent TV Spots (including the tantalising Super bowl teaser) and Trailers; audiences have been practically buzzing around the movie. Since its release internationally on Wednesday 16th April audiences must have been running to cinemas to see this long awaited sequel.

This second instalment carries on not long after the first with the graduation of Peter, Gwen and their classmates. As usual Peter has other duties, this time including a run in with a Russian maniac (Paul Giamatti) causing a hell of a traffic problem meaning he nearly misses his own graduation. The film bubbles with excitement from the off, Andrew Garfield lavishing in the role of Spider-Man clearly still enjoying himself. Webb has added to the one-liners and cocky dialogue that Spidey reels off to his adversaries, though this time they are much more integrated into the dialogue rather than action - line - pause for laughter - action. This is a welcome relief, it makes the character much more natural, but there are some blink and you'll miss it lines, a second trip to the cinema is probably wise to catch everything (no problems there).

The film goes from fun to serious in a flash (though always switching back with little effort), Peter is struggling with his relationship with Gwen due to the haunting vision of her father almost warning him away from her. This puts a strain on them and they seem to be heading for a dead end, this is a welcome character arc, as we almost put them both at square one again and see the building of a romance rekindling. I know from a girls stand point this slow rise in feeling waiting for a reunion gave off a frustrating but palpable atmosphere. Emma Stone was again excellent as Gwen Stacy giving a refreshing portrayal of a woman in a comic book movie. She is strong intelligent and knows her own mind, which she firmly tells Peter in the film - she makes her own choices; yet she is not a super-hero . She is a great role model for women and girls to look up to and Stone is on solid ground with her character, obviously having no issues working with her other half (Stone and Garfield have been dating since 2012) the pair still have amazing chemistry.

When it comes to The Amazing Spider-Man 2's big baddie Electro played by Jamie Foxx I was slightly disappointed. His performance as the lonely Max Dillon (before he transforms into Electro) was funny and sad showing what can happen to a person who is forgotten in the world and I thought a lot more interesting than when he transformed. However saying that the accident in which he becomes Electro was stunning and the action sequences were thrilling and the absolute best that effects teams can create. The Make-up/effects used to create Electro are nothing short of superb, you just cannot look away from that pulsating blue face, I can only imagine the lengths the Post Production team went to, to create him. You can fully understand where the evil comes from but I just wish they had developed Electro as much as his alter-ego Max Dillon.

As for Spidey's other nemesis the pattern was unfortunately rather the same; Dane Dehaan is magnetising as Harry Osborn he fit the part very well. Playing both a self-assured but also lonely and resentful millionaire with father issues and much more besides he has anger issues uncommon in a man so young. You could watch him on-screen for much longer than he appears (though he has significant screen time). Again the character of Harry is much more compelling and more interesting than when he becomes the Green Goblin. And again the make-up is spectacular, truly transforming him into an unsavoury manic monster. However unlike with Electro his fight scene with Spider-Man is rather disappointing, the scene itself is filled with tension and important for a whole other reason (check out the film, no spoilers here) and coming at the climax of the film I felt it should be bigger. His actual time as the Goblin is very short some have said that this last portion of the film seems rather rushed, in comparison to the steady paced story arc which brought Harry to his final transformation.

Sally field has her small part as the ever reliable Aunt May; funny and emotional she is a classic actress, I could watch her all day. One particular speech is incredibly moving and she handles it perfectly. The story of Peter's mother and father and the cause of their deaths is another plot arc (no wonder Mary Jane was cut, it is definitely a full film -but not stretched too thin) these moments become almost like an old mystery thriller with Peter aching to find the missing pieces and discover the secret. Due to this packed out plot we see Peter Parker stretched to breaking point with his commitments and struggles. Despite all the action and screen time devoted very fairly to other characters we still witness a great character development with Peter. It is very impressive that director Marc Webb has been able to get the tone style and timing for each element of his film just right. It may not have worked as well in other hands but Webb has handled it like a pro.

So overall, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 really has it all, a kick-ass smart talking hero who develops even more as a character in this film. It has not one but multiple villains to pair him off against, each with their own uniquely interesting back story. A great romance that appeals to both genders and some of the greatest action sequences of the year, So if you were thinking of giving this one a miss, after that list why would you?

Hope you enjoy the film as much as I did (small spoiler - take tissues if your the sentimental type) let me know what you thought in the comments box below.