The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro is as audacious as it is entertaining. While it may not reach the dizzy heights of Marvel’s best movies, it still packs in enough lavish action, special effects and comic-book japes to satisfy fans of the genre.
There’s a great deal of conflict of the usual sort, with explosions, web flinging, the saving of innocent bystanders and the like – all taking place against the backdrop of a city in turmoil – and Peter Parker’s relationship also on the rocks. It’s almost a case of too many crooks threatening to spoil the plot.
The actors don’t usually have much to work with in a superhero blockbuster, but this one is worth watching for the chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone as Peter Parker/Spiderman and Gwen Stacy. Dane DeHaan impresses as the Green Goblin, and Jamie Foxx sensibly underplays and lets make-up and wardrobe provide the chills for his super-villain, Electro.
Like director Marc Webb’s previous Spiderman film, the emphasis is on style over substance, but this time the sheer warmth of Garfield and Stone’s on-screen interaction means the drawn-out narrative is easy to pass over. It’s exactly the sort of sequel one would expect from Webb: smart direction, congested screens teeming with fire, electricity and violence, and all the time Spiderman fighting his inner demons.
Overall, it’s a tried and tested formula with arguably nothing original. However, it’s a fun ride.
More InDaily film reviews:
The Invisible Woman
Like Father, Like Son
Any Day Now
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Noah
Half of a Yellow Sun
I, Frankenstein
Need for Speed
