The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Movie Review

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars.

Pater Parker, aka Spider-Man, played by Andrew Garfield, is hitting his stride in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. He's graduating high school while rescuing civilians in the street, swinging through New York skyscrapers in between work and life.  Not a bad way to live.  He's comfortable in his role now, but burden and mystery remains.  Through wise-cracking silly humor hides the pain of losing his parents.  Through giving inspirational pat-on-the-backs after saving those in distress, he struggles with who and what he is.  And everywhere he goes he sees the father of Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), ex-police chef who perished in the last movie, watching, reminding Peter the promise he made and should keep.  Stay away from the girl he loves so her life can remain safe.  Out of all the burdens this is the greatest, and it echos throughout the film.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a nice mixture between humor and serious.  Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield have amazing chemistry together, which this movie uses to its full potential.  Their moments together are delightful, a nice balance between playful and drama.  I love the interactions between Tony Stark and Pepper Pots in the Iron Man/Avenger movies, but I love Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy more.

And talking about Peter Parker.  Andrew is the perfect Spider Man.  He's brilliant in his characterization and portrayal of the character.  Spidy was always meant to have a quirky sense of humor, which was completely lost in the Tobey Maguire version, but that might be the fault of the writers; his Spider Man was way too serious.

Where this movie falters is in its logic, and the use of too many villains.  Didn't anyone learn from Spider-Man 3??!!!  One villain is enough, unless the villains are well established and working as a team.  A villain version of the Avengers.  Honestly, that would be pretty cool.  But we get three villains in this film, and it felt too much by movies end.  Also, the logic of a couple plot points drove me crazy.  I can't say what without major spoilers!!!!  All I will say is that one plot point involves a message sent via plane (my real issue involves the carelessness behind it and how it was later discovered).  And the second issue deals with electricity.  I know we're supposed to suspend belief, but seriously.

Oh, heh, that underground train scene. I totally think the director was channeling TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the uninitiated).  Flashbacks to happy childhood memories.  

I know I rated this film a 3.75, mainly over logistics, but that doesn't take away the fact that I really enjoyed this movie experience, and that I'll want to see it many times over.  The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a fantastic popcorn movie.

P.S. I didn't like the X-Man teaser in the end credits.  Unlike studio Marvels end credit teasers, this interjection felt awkward and rushed, like it was a promotional after-thought.  It probably was.  I was more confused then excited.

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action/violence.