Saturday 17 May 2014

The Amazing Spider Man 2 (2014) Review



The Amazing Spider Man 2 (2014)
Director – Marc Webb
Stars – Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane Dehaan

Marc Webb and the gang came swinging back to NYC this year for the second outing of Sony’s Spidey Quadrilogy. After 2 years Marc Webb’s second attempt to helm this re-booted franchise boasted a triple threat of villains, oddly ‘Spiderman 3’ (2007) had the same formula and was a box office flop. Much of the viral campaign gave us the impression that Foxx’s Electro was the main foe amongst the rabble, but how would this all play out?

It turns out, not great. The film’s biggest mistake is not giving Paul Giamatti (Rhino) enough screen time, he is able to offer a least 3 audible sentences before being shunned (most likely to come back in Marvels forthcoming ‘Sinister Six’) The film starts with a prologue to Peter’s parents death then back into the love story with Gwen Stacey (Stone). In this sense the film works perfectly, we can see Webb’s previous work ‘(500) Days of Summer’ (2009) shinning through, nostalgia and sunshine are awash. Unfortunately this is one of only a few moments that keep the film afloat. As we get into the story we are introduced to a variety of characters all over the place and again we don’t get the satisfaction of seeing Max (Foxx) spiral into evil. We get the predictable Spider man wit and American Patriotism which all seems slightly forced. The film does take a turn for the better when we meet Harry Osborn (Dehaan), who as we all guessed would eventually become the Green Goblin. His suave attitude and hipster look is a far cry from James Franco’s interpretation and you get the sense that Dehaan really enjoys the role.

As the film progresses we are given more action sequences around central Manhattan, this is where we can begin to enjoy the grand set pieces, notably the final battle where we first see the new Green Goblin, bolstered by some great sound effects in the way of dub step explosions and choir voices singing the original Spider man theme supposedly within Electro's head. This climax has been the greatest so far for Webb, although it doesn’t rival the previous outings back in the 2000’s. Garfield will forever be pitted against Tobey Maguire and although they bring different approaches it’s easier to like Maguire’s shy and genuinely likable Spider man to Garfield’s popular jock stereotype. With this in mind Webb’s film desperately tries to break free of the previous incarnations but to no avail.

Although the film doesn't disappoint it doesn't impress either. It takes great care to ensure that the audience is spoon fed information about each individual story arch, and it lacks the emotional attachment that the previous films seemed to hold dear. Webb’s vision is simple and effective as a standard Blockbuster, but don’t we want it to be so much more? Listen to Uncle Ben next time guys ‘With great power...’

RATING 2/5

Film Facts:
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             - Andrew Garfield bought a pirate DVD of the original ‘Spider man’ before its release because he was such a fan.
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            - Shailene Woodley was cast as Mary – Jane Watson but was cut from the movie; she will appear in the third instalment.
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           -  Paul Giamatti had always wanted the role of ‘Rhino’.

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     - It’s the largest film production ever in New York

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