Very enjoyable. Character driven with exciting action and a decent storyline.

Rating: 8/10 (26 November 2014)

So far this is my favorite movie of the year, but Battle of Five Armies will probably take its place when it comes out in three weeks. I only saw the first of the 2000's Spiderman movies, but I didn't like it very much. While this new series is lacking in a couple of areas, it certainly fixes the problems I had with the older one. We have a very different Peter Parker to follow. While the old one was shy and nerdy, Andrew Garfield's Peter Parker has a strong personality and is a easier to root for. I know that this is illustrated better in the first movie, but it is evident that becoming Spiderman only changes Peter physically. He has the same level of courage and outgoing nature before and after becoming Spiderman. This is especially true in his relationship with Gwen, because he is okay with her knowing that he is Spiderman and it doesn't change her opinion of him.
In this second installment, he is faced with multiple problems in his two lives. He has to worry about the usual crimes of New York, surviving the attacks of Electro, keeping Gwen safe and in his life, discovering the truth about his past, doing what is best for his friend Harry Osbourne, and the simple issue of getting enough sleep. It is clear that he feels truly free and joyous when he is acting as Spiderman. Now, some people might say that the screenwriters gave him a different personality in his two egos, but I would argue against that. We see the same personality traits when he is in both guises. Also, the little jokes he makes while fighting crime might be part of his disguise. I know that some people find this part of the character annoying, but that's just a matter of taste and nobody can deny that he has a distinct personality in this version.
With Peter in all of his endeavors is Gwen Stacy. She joins the ranks of strong female characters and is very helpful in both areas of Peter's life. She isn't afraid of what will happen to her because of their relationship, which is another plus for her character. The only plot point involving her that I disliked was how she and Peter were supposed to not be together. I understand why it happened, but it was kind of unnecessary because they didn't stay apart long enough for it to really be relevant.
Next on the character list is Max Dillon/Electro. He is a very potent villain with a strong motive. At first glance, it would seem that his transition into villainy is forced and implausible, but if you take a step back and look at his situation before becoming Electro, it isn't so implausible. His anger has always been bottled up inside of him because of how he has been neglected. Spiderman gives him hope and purpose, so when he feels that Spiderman has forgotten him and has betrayed him, his anger explodes and he has a way to vent it with his electrical powers.
The final main character is Harry. Dane DeHaan plays him very well and develops his character naturally. He experiences much of the same emotions as Max does, except that his involve his new job of running Oscorp. Also he feels anger towards Peter rather than Spiderman. I didn't really like the scene at the river with the two of them, because I felt like they were trying to act cool in front of each other the whole time (this was the one point where I felt like the acting was lacking). Harry's plight is worthy of sympathy, but it is also clear that he is blinded by his own problems. So, when he gets the means to take revenge on Peter and Oscorp, his actions are not surprising. The two things I wish they had explained better with his character are his relationship with the one Oscorp guy that was his sort of adviser, and what specifically would have happened to him if Peter's blood had not cured him. Also, I still can't figure out if his Osbourne disease was cured at the end.
The only other character worthy of addressing is Aunt May, who is key in helping Peter discover his past.
In terms of execution, I would say this movie did a good job. The effects were very good. The action choreography was spectacular, particularly the slow motion. Here we see that Spiderman has improved his abilities and resourcefulness like in his encounter with the Rhino and the scene in Times Square. The acting was good all around and the characters were well scripted for the most part. The wide variety of sounds in the film score were a great accompaniment to the film.
While I enjoyed the movie very much, there were a few spots where it lacked. The smaller plot points were underdeveloped, such as Harry's situation with Felicia and the other Oscorp workers. Peter's past was made to seem important, but kind of took the back seat in the scheme of things. Lastly, the Ravencroft doctor was given too much of a personality for the size of his role.
I would recommend it to people who are fans of Spiderman, superheroes, or classy characters like Peter and Gwen. If those things don't entice you, it has a good story and very good action sequences. I wouldn't recommend it if you're someone who insists on looking for flaws in a film. If not, it's worth considering for a Christmas gift or an online rental. One last big thing for prospective viewers to look out for is the trailer. About 80% of the lines in the trailer are not in the movie, though some of the ideas they convey are. However, all of the action sequences from the trailer are included. Overall Rating: 8.6/10.