The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014 film) Unspoiled Review

Originally I’d planned to review a very different film this week but in the light of recent news 
(Sony about to bin director Marc Webb and reboot the franchise) I decided that there were some more pressing things that needed to be said. 

As a lifelong spider-fan (check below for proof) I’ve always believed in the power of comic books. Peter Parker has in many many ways been the man on whom I have modelled my life. I respect him and what he represents both in and out of the suit. Peter is a real man, one who knows that he is flawed and goes on trying anyway.

I’m sad that this movie has received the barrage of hate that it has. I’m sorry to say that it seems no-one on the internet seems to have an idea of what they really want. 
Haters gonna hate, I guess.

Plot:
4/5 I thought most things were developed quite well. Relationships bloomed and rotted the way such things are supposed to. 
A hard hitting movie. 
I felt that there was a lot of stuff that got lost in the cut of the film, something that I've come to be aware was diddled with because of executive interference.

Visuals:
biggest negative on visuals was the piece of black paper stuck onto Jamie Foxx’s front teeth; it made him look like a pirate in a school play.

Positives: 
How Marc Webb displayed Peter Parker's intelligence, giving the character much more than just a 'lucky' fix all super power.
He was special before he got bitten. 

Negatives: 
There were a few bum notes Spidey dialogue wise, things that could have been written to be much punchier. A few of his lines in the times square scene really jarred me. The plane, it was unnecessary.

New suit -complaints
More realistic grittier movie - complaints
Less realistic less gritty sequel - complaints.
More jokes – complaints.
An actor who doesn’t cry like a little girl - well you know where this is going.

Amazing Spider-Man 2 picks up straight after, or at least pretty close to straight after the events of the first flick. But let’s be honest shall we? You already knew that.
We get a view to what happened to peter’s parents after they dropped him off with his uncle and aunt. The screen fades to black and It’s pretty dang heavy.

Then we see Spider-Man.

And I’m talking the REAL deal Spider-Man, plummeting towards the pavement with nothing but spandex and a good 'ol pair of web shooters – it’s exactly the way the little boy in me has been waiting his whole life to see. I don’t care what anyone says, if you can watch the opening web swinging sequence and feel nothing 
- no one can help you. 
You are truly dead inside. 
And I’m sorry for you, really.
Really sorry.

The web swinging sequences alone justify this film’s existence. Marc Webb if you are by some freak chance reading this - thank you, thank you so very much. 

Andrew Garfield if you’re reading this give me a ring please, I want to buy you a beer or a series of beers. I think we would be really good friends (and I mean that in the least stalky way possible) there aren’t enough real men around anymore and I’m glad to see you flying the flag high amidst a sea of spinelessness.

Emma Stone if you’re reading this, I'm sorry I’m taken. Our love was just not meant to be, but you’re with Andrew now and that is probably for the best all round. If you had to end up with anyone I’m glad it was him. Also to be honest, if he had to end up with anyone I’m glad it’s you!

You have all made this little geek’s life-long dream come true. I guess all I need now is to be bitten by a radioactive spider and ill be all set, well that and web shooters. Anyway back to the review.

The film focuses on the duality of the life that peter has chosen and the consequences that are always circling above like hungry vultures. He loves being Spider-Man. He loves Gwen (Emma Stone) but as with anything life is all about trade offs.

The sweetness between Peter and Gwen is palpable, 
every moment of their screen time fills you with that special kind of sweet pain that good romance hits you with. The tenderness between them is real and seeing it play out on screen is a privilege to watch. 

Jamie’s Foxx’s portrayal of pre-transformation Max Dylan was an interesting balance of discomfort and true nerd enthusiasm. There were parts that were a little overplayed, the overly cartoony styled soundtrack drawing attention away from his performance, but overall he was very endearing. You feel for him when he is standing right on the brink of dark side. Which was something that I totally didn’t expect to affect me the way it did. Dane DeHaan was also an interesting choice as Harry Osborne.

Other highlights included:

• Paul ‘like you’ve never seen him before’ Giamatti
  
• Spidey using web shooters the way they were designed to be used
  
• Max Dylan’s epic internal rage cut scenes
  
• Gwen dissing peter - A LOT
  
• Spidey’s sense of humour
  
• Bromance insults
  
• Aunt may played by sally fields
  
• Pantsing mobsters

So I ask the following of you dear reader.
Please go out and purchase, rent or gift this film to someone this Christmas. Not because I want Sony to be rich or even because it’s the right thing to do but because if we and I mean - if WE want nice things to continue being made we have to express our interest. 

And that means voting with our feet. 
And by feet, I mean wallets. 
Things are too easily thrown away in this world people would rather reboot than repair. 
Divorce instead of working it out because somehow it’s become easier. 
So support this film, let’s get more of these made. 
Although, I have a feeling that it might already be too late.

Please RT -> Petition to keep Andrew Garfield for #Spiderman! https://t.co/nOTRJ9zdRj #SupportAndrew #AndrewGarfieldinCivilWar

— Little Plasti Castle (@PlastiCastle) December 15, 2014