'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' review by Captain Raptor

'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' review by Captain Raptor

Here it is at last. The mildly anticipated sequel to 2012's most average film. Although admirably trying to stamp out independence from Sam Raimi's webslinger saga, this film's predecessor was nothing special, and I found it was really only held together by the charm and chemistry of Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. Conversely to a lot of blockbusters, it was an awesome romantic subplot with dull and distracting obligatory action sequences.

Marc Webb's second Spider-Man film feels markedly different. The action's improved, with a brilliantly fun chase scene at the beginning of the film and several superpowered smackdowns throughout the film (in particular a flashy and acrobatic battle in Times Square) that both amaze and entertain. However, at the same time, Peter and Gwen's relationship is neither as funny nor as interesting as it was first time round, often reverting to cliche and angst as opposed to the wit-fueled repartee that made the first film tick. The humour is absent for a lot of the film, although that's not through a lack of trying. Jamie Foxx's villain-to-be scientist babbles crazily and flounders awkwardly but fundamentally has nothing funny to say, and Spidey's quips are just as prevalent but lack the same level of sarcasm as before. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is an entertaining ride, but it's too long and tries to do too much at once - there's origin stories for three different villains, development in Peter's relationships with his girlfriend and his aunt, investigations into the disappearance of his father (his mother disappeared in the same incident but apparently he's not really interested in her), and a personal tragedy, all on top of the main story and lengthy action sequences. It's packed to bursting and while most if not all of these elements are interesting, none of them really get enough attention to be anything more than that. 

The new and improved action isn't the only improved addition. Dane DeHaan makes an excellent Harry Osborn, at once more likable and more unpleasant than James Franco was in the role, and probably gives the film's best performance. Although Electro isn't exactly a spectacularly written character, Foxx gives excellent energy before the transformation and radiates menace afterwards. The special effects are top-notch and well-utilized, and the film's visuals as a whole are all great. It's really just the writing that's taken a knock; the dialogue is worse, the villains aren't made interesting enough (Paul Giamatti's role is so far beneath him that it may as well be in the Earth's core) and aside from a surprisingly dramatic ending, nothing hugely new or unexpected happens.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 does multiple things both better and worse than the first film. However, the worse things are slightly worse and the better things are significantly better, so the sequel undoubtedly comes out on top. An exciting and entertaining film is somewhat marred by a decline in humour and dialogue, but all the other components work, and Webb and Garfield's second outing with Spider-Man is a perfectly respectable and enjoyable affair. Here's hoping for a funnier and more heavily edited third outing, with more drive and focus (ideally on Dane DeHaan).