Blair LiewReview: The Amazing Spider-Man 2
‘Bigger’ and ‘better’ are 2 words that accurately describe the new Spider-Man movie. Fans eagerly anticipating the sequel to The Amazing Spider-Man will be happy to find that this movie does not disappoint. The Amazing Spider-man 2 brings back the much-adored couple Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy (played by Andrew Garfield and his actual love interest Emma Stone).
On his way to graduation via the unconventional route of swinging across skyscrapers, Spider-Man runs into the would-be Rhino villain (played by Paul Giamatti) attempting to steal plutonium vials and rescues Max Dillon, a gap-toothed and wide-eyed, small-time Oscorp Industries employee who later turns (or rather electrifies) into the film’s main villain, Electro (played by Jamie Foxx).
Electro’s character development is well-designed from beginning to end. Max is the perfect image of a social outcast; all he ever wanted was for people to notice him. He also has an unhealthy obsession with Spider-Man, and the adulation spikes to even greater heights (pun intended) during the movie.
After an accident in the Oscorp building, Max becomes an omnipotent, power-consuming being. And even with phenomenal powers, Electro could not measure up to the heroics of Spider-Man, and is further misunderstood by the public.
It is notable how the soundtrack ties in perfectly with different characters, especially of Electro – a playful and whimsical tune mirrors Max/Electro’s misguided transformation from an insignificant employee to someone who matters, exactly what we would hear at a circus freak show. Of course, one would expect no less when the genius behind the soundtrack is the widely acclaimed composer, Hans Zimmer, who coincidentally helmed the other superheroes-in-spandex movies (Batman and Superman).
The amazing CGI and heart-pumping action are a joy to behold, especially the opening point-of-view shots of Spidey swinging from skyscraper to skyscraper – in 3D nonetheless.
What sizzles even more is the chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. It is wonderfully refreshing to see how the actors portrayed their characters’ on-off relationship struggles. Peter and Gwen know that they should break up (and they tried to), but just when it seems like their relationship is back on track, Peter is gone saving the world once more. The way Peter leaves Gwen hanging (pun intended again) is similar to how director Marc Webb makes the audience feel about Andrew and Emma. It’s infuriating, but you just can’t help yourself rooting for the likeable pair.
With multiple villains (Green Goblin makes an appearance and teases audience for more in the next sequel with Rhino), sizzling hot chemistry between the IT couple, and explosive set pieces (the Times Square battle is simply electrifying, for the lack of a better word), The Amazing Spider-Man 2 outperforms its previous version, and should have been the first movie to reboot the Spider-Man franchise. Thankfully, there’s more to come.
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 1/05/14
Runtime: 142 minutes
Language: English
Censorship Rating: PG13
Genre: Action, Adventure
Director: Marc Webb
Main Actors: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx