The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

For more context on this film, you are welcome to read my Review of Every Marvel and DC Superhero Movie from 1951 to the Present


1. The Story

Peter Parker comes into his own as Spider-Man, though a troubled relationship with Gwen Stacy looms in the background.  After Spider-man saves Max Dillon from a speeding truck, Max falls into a pot of genetically altered electric eels and becomes Electro.  Electro and Spider-Man face off in Times Square, and Electro is later apprehended by Oscorp.  

In the meantime, Harry Osbourne returns from Europe to take over his father's company, and Harry learns that he is dying from the same genetic disorder that killed his father.  Desperate to find a cure, Harry seeks out Spider-man in the hope of using his blood to find a cure.  Spider-man refuses, and Harry later takes revenge by releasing Electro from his captivity and using venom taken from one of the genetically altered spiders to cure his affliction.  

Electro, desiring revenge, confronts Spider-man in a climactic battle, and Harry, now transformed into the Green Goblin, threatens Spider-man - whom he now recognizes as Peter Parker - by abducting Gwen Stacy.  During the course of their subsequent battle Gwen is killed as Peter tries to save her, and her funeral follows.  

Peter, having given up hope after Gwen's death, draws renewed strength from a recording of Gwen's valedictorian speech, and then confronts the Rhino in downtown New York.

2. How It Compares to the First Amazing Spider-Man and the original Spider-man trilogy

This movie has some pacing issues, and my biggest complaint is the over-the-top CGI.  Nevertheless, I think it was better than the first Amazing Spider-man.  The human relationships in this film give it a greater depth, and the villains display very clear-cut motivations for what they do.

Sam Raimi's "Spider-man 2" is still one of the best superhero movies ever made, and I don't think that this film is as good as that one.  Even so, it is much better than either the first or third films in that trilogy.

3. Trivia

You can see both the Vulture's wings and Dr. Octopus's tentacles in the basement of the Oscorp tower.  Harry's assistant, who is referred to as "Felicia," is also the same Felicia who doubles as longtime Spider-man associate the Black Cat.

4. What's Coming Next

Sony has already announced plans to make "The Amazing Spider-Man 3," which will appear in 2016, and "The Amazing Spider-Man 4," which will appear in 2018.  Films for Venom and the Sinister Six are also in the works.

5. The Best Idea Ever

Dear Marvel Studios: just put Andrew Garfield into five seconds of the next Avengers film.  Really.  You wouldn't even need to refer to him by name.  People would go mental over that.