Awkward Middle-Film in (Inevitable) Trilogy

Rating: 4/10 (15 March 2015)

'Amazing Spider-Man 2' was less satisfying than its predecessor, as many of the action sequences looked and felt like RPG graphics. That said, Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy was rather better fleshed-out than in the original movie. That she is the most engaging character in the film is unfortunate as - as any comic geek knows - as soon as she and Pete chat atop the George Washington Bridge, things will not be ending in hugs and puppies. Andrew Garfield is still mumbling too much, and Chris Cooper is wasted on such a small role, and his grimmacing heir is too clearly a nut from his first appearance to be anything other than a caricature. The Parker family back-story is nicely expanded (in expectation of a big reveal in Part 3, I'm betting), but everything else seems rushed.