After Sony’s reboot and first installment of “The Amazing Spider-Man” with Andrew Garfield was released in 2012, the company worked on a sequel continuing Peter Parker’s adventure as the titular character. This time he squares off against Electro, Rhino & Green Goblin in a botched copy to replicate the Marvel Cinematic Universe or MCU for short.
“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” was released in 2014. (same year Guardians Of The Galaxy came out) Unlike its predecessor, the sequel earned mixed reviews from critics, fans and movie goers alike. Although it made enough money at the box office, it is the lowest grossing live-action Spider-Man movie. to date. As a result of a failed attempt to create a cinematic universe like the MCU, Sony scrapped plans for a third movie in favor of making a deal with Disney to include Spider-Man in the MCU with Tom Holland portraying the character.
Jamie Foxx will reprise his role as Electro in “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” To prepare for the highly anticipated film, allow me to share my thoughts on The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Don’t forget Rhys Ifans will also reprise his role as Lizard. Jared Leto’s “Morbius” will be released one month after No Way Home is out. An upcoming sequel to “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” titled, “Across The Spider-Verse: Part One” is slated to come out in Fall 2022. The second part is expected to be released in 2023.
It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS are present.
Strong & Weak Aspects
Strong: Andrew Garfield reprises his role as Spider-Man and he did a solid job for his performance.
Emma Stone (one of my favorite actresses) reprises her role as Gwen Stacy and she did a great hob for her performance. It’s a darn shame she’ll never play Spider-Gwen.
Other Cast Members such as Dane DeHaan, B.J. Novak, Felicity Jones, Sally Field & Paul Giamatti all did a ok job for their respective performances.
Action Sequences are great. My favorite part is Spider-Man using his Spider-Sense to save a bunch of people using a similar slow motion technique from “Sherlock Holmes.”
Visual Effects are Class A quality. They don’t seem fake at all.
Hans Zimmer (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, Interstellar) orchestrated the soundtrack with help from Pharrell Williams. The latter was nominated for an Oscar for “Best Original Song” known as “Happy.” It served as the theme song from “Despicable Me 2.”
Spider-Man’s costume is given an update reflecting the classic look from the comics.
In Peter’s room, there’s a poster of “Dogtown And The Z-Boys.”
Rhys Ifans makes a cameo appearance as Curt Connors/Lizard from a recording by Peter’s father, Richard. Denis Leary makes a few appearances as Gwen’s father, Captain Stacy.
Chris Cooper makes a brief appearance as Norman Osbourn who dies shortly from an incurable disease.
Stan Lee (may he Rest In Peace) makes a cameo appearance. Aidy Bryant (SNL) makes a cameo appearance as a bystander.
Weak: Mark Webb failed to double check the script for potential rewrites.
Alex Kurtzman & Rober Orci (the same idiots who wrote Michael Bay’s Transformers series) did a terrible job disrespecting the source material. They also failed to capitalize a cinematic universe lacking proper coordination.
Several characters and Easter Eggs are crammed in random scenes. At the time, Sony was trying to catch up with Disney so they can capitalize on building their own cinematic universe.
Jamie Foxx’s portrayal as Max Dillon/Electro didn’t seem quite right. He’s like a knock-off of Jim Carrey’s Riddler. Electro’s motivation on why he hates Spider-Man is so stupid, is because Electro wants attention from New Yorkers. I hope Jamie redeems himself in No Way Home to get Electro right.
I didn’t care about Peter & Gwen’s chemistry. Remember in the last movie Gwen’s father begged Peter not to go out with Gwen fearing she’ll be in danger? Peter didn’t learn a moral lesson not to drag your loved ones in a peril. I think it’s out of character for Peter ignoring a dying wish so he can make out with Gwen. To put salt in the wound, Gwen is planning on going to Oxford. So Peter decides to tag along with her. What about his responsibility to protect New York City, Aunt May & his best friend Harry? What a crushing blow. As a lifelong Marvel fan, I’m gonna have to Double Down Peter’s dumbest decision ignoring Gwen’s father’s wish. Plus, he didn’t learn Uncle Ben’s words of wisdom. “With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility.”
Harry’s transformation as Green Goblin felt rushed. In the Sam Raimi films, Peter & Harry’s friendship builds up properly with each movie progressing Harry’s motivation to kill Spider-Man. The 2014 version of Harry however, failed to give me a proper explanation why he has a vendetta against Spidey.
When Harry mentioned to Peter he’s slowly dying from an incurable disease, Peter refuses to give him a blood sample, fearing his identity will be exposed. EGADS! This is the controversial storyline “One More Day” with Spider-Man dealing with Mephisto all over again! It’s the one with Spider-Man making a deal with Mephisto to Aunt May’s life in favor of erasing his marriage with Mary Jane. First, he ignored Gwen’s dad’s dying wish, now he refuses to make Harry feel better? This isn’t the Spider-Man we all know in love.
Sony pulled an “Alien 3” on Gwen by recreating her infamous death scene from the comics. I think it was way too soon, because her series “Spider-Gwen” published the same year The Amazing Spider-Man 2 came out. I wanted to see Emma as Spider-Gwen in live-action format teaming up and start a relationship with Miles Morales. DANG IT SONY! You just had to pull an instant death card on Gwen!
The Final Verdict: D-
I consider The Amazing Spider-Man 2 as the worst Spider-Man film ever made. At least “Spider-Man 3” tried its best with good parts like Peter & Harry’s crumbling friendship, Sandman’s motivation to steal money to afford his sickly daughter’s medical condition and Peter learning the horrific truth Sandman is Uncle Ben’s killer. If you’re a lifelong fan of Spidey, you’ll be appalled over Marc Webb’s final entry to Andrew Garfield’s version. I hope Andrew redeems himself in No Way Home. If he and Tobey make an appearance in the MCU, I’ll be very happy. If Andrew’s Spider-Man is done justice, I might forgive him.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 