Blows The First Film Out of the Water. This is the Spider-Man I've Been Waiting For

Rating: 10/10 (26 April 2014)

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 has been a subject of much controversy since it was first announced, which was even before the first film hit theater screens. There have been many of the same arguments given by people, saying that the series didn't need a revamp and that it will never live up to the epic proportion of the Sam Raimi films. But it's all a matter of opinion, and while I deeply loved the first Marc Webb directed reboot, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a superior film, a Spidey flick I've long dreamed to see. Spider-Man is my favorite costumed hero, I know this, everyone who knows me knows this and to me, this is the film that displays the red and blue web head in all his glory. While I still consider Spider-Man 2 one of my all time favorite superhero flicks, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 might very well top it, in many ways than one.
I finally got to see my favorite superhero act the way he did in the comics. Seeing the wisecracking, sarcastic side of Spidey brought a smile to my lips and while the Raimi films had a touch of it, this film really showcased Spidey for the silly schmuck he is. He's very reminiscent of Josh Keaton, who voiced Spidey on the Spectacular Spider-Man cartoon. Andrew Garfield has that perfect balance of humor, seriousness and determination, making Peter Parker more than just a vigilante crime fighter. He's very much like a realistic young adult. I also like the suit. While the first film's suit was more stylized and unique among Spidey's wardrobe, this one looks as if it was taken right off the comic book pages, minus the elongated spider logo and shiny black webbing.
Electro is my favorite among Spidey's rogues gallery and Jamie Foxx played Max Dillon as not only an electroshocking Mr. Freeze lookalike that likes to shoot lightning from his hands, but a sympathetic and relatable so called "nobody". He starts off as an admirer of Spider-Man, but as the film progresses and he gets a dosage of electric eel juice, he comes to despise the wall crawler, feeling that he is stealing his thunder (pun intended). There's also the Rhino, portrayed by Paul Giamatti. He's very different than the character portrayed in the mainstream comics and the various animated series, but Giamatti plays the Russian mobster turned pachyderm like the ham ball he is. Then there is Harry Osborn, portrayed by Dane DeHaan. And let's face it, the cat's out of the bag. If you have seen the trailers, you know he becomes the cackling, glider riding Green Goblin. Yes, DeHaan portrays a maniacal and in many ways grotesque goblin, but the buildup to his goblin transformation is really something to see. Harry Osborn is played out to be the misunderstood son of a rich man, who can be relatable in some scenes and teeth grindingly evil in others. We'll see if he'll don the green glider again in upcoming sequels, or if his daddio, Norman Osborn comes back from the dead to do the job.
The chemistry between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) is probably the film's best element. It was evident in the first installment and it glimmers here. I love the way the two actors work off each other and act like a contemporary couple. You can really tell that Peter and Gwen are madly in love with each other. Now if only Peter didn't make that promise to Gwen's dying father to keep her out of his Spider-Man duties. Now I'm not going to reveal anything, nor deny that a certain main character meets his or her end by the film's conclusion. You'll just have to see the flick for yourself. If your a Spider-Man fan, this might quench your thirst for a good Spider-Man adventure. Sure, some will not go gaga over this sequel or it's predecessor, but for me, it's one of the best superhero flicks I've seen in a while. Better than Man of Steel, better than Spider-Man 3, better than The Wolverine. It's simply fantastic and like the first film, it's a treat. Just go in with an open mind. You'll never know what to expect.
I just can't wait to see what Webb and co have in store next. It looks to be the beginning of a much bigger, broader Spider-Man movie universe.