5/1/14

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Super heroes aren't enough, we also have super villains! And of course, our favorite guy is the one to confront them and save the world. This sequel is bigger, louder, with more vehicular mayhem and endless blowie uppie stuff, which is too bad, because this cast has skillful actors who can do anything. Watch for the lengthy scene with Peter and Aunt May; they are both terrific!

We have:
  • Andrew Garfield ("Never Let Me Go") is Spider-Man/Peter Parker, the guy we just like. He's really dorky and his shy affection for Gwen is very effective.
  • Emma Stone ("The Help") is Gwen Stacy, his steadfast girlfriend, in on his secret identity and smart as a whip; but we have to remember, Peter had promised her father he would stay away from her...
  • Jamie Foxx ("Django Unchained") is Electro/Max Dillon, the nerdy guy everyone overlooks...even on his birthday. Finally, he gets MAD!
  • Dane DeHaan ("In Treatment") plays Green Goblin/Harry Osborn, once a close friend of Peter's, soon to become a sworn enemy. Their fathers were fellow scientists working on that experimental spider serum.
  • Sally Field ("The Amazing Spider-Man") returns as Aunt May, who can't help but worry about her sweet nephew because he persists in asking questions about his parents.
In this one we learn more about Peter's father, which is a welcome addition, and the relationship between Peter and Gwen is easy and fun. Another plus, this had more humor, with one-liners and goofy physical comedy. The late-in-the-movie evolution of Harry Osborne to Green Goblin is nothing but a prequel to the next movie.

To me, this felt like three movies...1) a nice PG-13 movie for Spider-Man fans, 2) an overwhelming eyeful for lovers of CGI, and 3) that afore- mentioned prequel. I enjoyed it, but found myself yawning during the lengthy scenes in which Midtown Manhattan is demolished. The screening version I saw was in 3D, so I dutifully ducked from flying debris and marveled at a snowfall. Be advised though, the story is paramount, $o don't $pend your money on 3D.
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Take a peek:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1198238233/
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