Ticking over the trilogy clock.

Rating: 7/10 (16 April 2014)

The first Amazing Spider-Man film gave off a unique vibe- It had the look and feel of an indie film, but, could boast a huge marketing campaign, star-studded cast, and healthy budget. And, on top of that, It was a great film; brilliantly acted, choreographed, and a solid, If sometimes typical superhero motif, the question on everybody's mind is, Is the second one, which sees people of all ages flooding into cinemas worldwide, just as good?
Well, here's the short answer; No. Why? This film suffers from a phenomenon that many before It have. It's the second film In the franchise. And, the inborn issue with this Is the fact that It doesn't feel as fresh, new, and exciting as the first, and, the story won't do anything too bold. The second film has to play It safe, else It risks overshadowing the climactic third. The amazing Spider-Man 2 doesn't stray from the superhero film comfort zone, as to give Itself breathing space for the third to blow our minds.
So, what If we talk about the film whilst disregarding the fact It's an integral piece of a franchise? Well, It's a great film In that sense. We pick up during Peter Parker's (Andrew Garfield) renaissance, he's never been In better form as a vigilante, has a trophy girlfriend, and has started working his way into Photography. Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) Is Peter's aforementioned trophy girlfriend, and, a huge plus point to this franchise, and this film In particular is the chemistry between the two leads. The fact Garfield and Stone are real-life sweethearts really adds that extra bit of kick to the emotional side of Gwen and Peter's relationship.
Another thing this film does really well Is this idea of Peter Parker is our main man, It's just dumb luck that he's Spider-Man. Despite the film being called Spider-Man, It never real feels like that's all the film Is about- we're watching a young man trying to pave his way In life, and all the highs and lows that come with being the Spider-Man are just supplementary to that. Superhero films can sometimes fail to feel like a story of human struggle, and, this Is, for me, the most impressive thing about The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
However, Garfield and Stone aren't the ones to steal the show here. Oh no. Jaime Foxx appears as Max Dillon, soon to be known as "Electro", and literally lights up the screen In every scene he appears In. The meek and powerless Max, after suffering an accident at Oscorp (Go figure), gains the ability to control, emit, and even turn into purplish-blue electrical bolts. There is something so unnerving about Foxx's performance. He's not a sadist, he's not insane, he's just really, really upset with life. He isn't like The Lizard, a massive, muscle-y menace. He is far more terrifying, and far more interesting.
So, what doesn't this film do well? Well, nothing, really. But, when you take Into consideration the fact that the only real role of this film Is to develop Spider-Man a little bit more, and whet our appetites for the next instalment, this film just doesn't do anything bold, or utterly unforgettable. I recall the scene in The Amazing Spider-Man 1 where the cranes line up, so Spidey can get to Oscorp in time, as being one of the most poetic and beautiful scenes in Superhero film history- but, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 just doesn't have that flavour, that poetic feel, It's done In a very, very safe fashion, and It feels like It's just ticking over the clock until the third one comes out, and does something truly, Amazing.