Peter Parker runs the gauntlet as the mysterious company Oscorp sends up a slew of supervillains against him, impacting on his life.
Marc Webb's superhero sequel is savvy, punchy and dashing enough to stir the blood of even the most jaded adult.
Bright, punchy and earnest, Webb’s affable sequel is tough to dislike despite its tonal whiplash and clumsy script, which is redeemed by Garfield, Stone and DeHaan’s powerhouse trio.
In short, this is an energetic and thoroughly enjoyable sequel that continues to justify Sony's decision to reboot the franchise in the first place.
A few too-broad gags aside — and even these are in the funky spirit of ’60s Marvel — this is a satisfying second issue with thrills, heartbreak, gasps, and a perfectly judged slingshot ending.
Spins an erratic, dull, unfocussed web.
If you've seen the Sam Raimi films it's hard to escape a sense of déjà vu but aided by Garfield and Stone this is pretty winning.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 almost succeeds in being something interesting and unusual for a superhero movie: a love story.
Garfield carries a massive Hollywood blockbuster on his shoulders and makes it look like the simplest thing in the world. That is so much more impressive than blowing up half of New York.
For all the CGI pizzazz, this film only actually feels likable when Garfield and Stone do their insouciant double act – or when Garfield cheekily whistles the theme tune from the animated TV series.
The real problem with The Amazing Spider-Man 2 isn't so much over-familiarity as a lack of wattage. There just isn't the energy and inventiveness that illuminate Marvel blockbusters at their best.
Garfield remains a raw and lively alternative to the era of a sleepy Tobey Maguire. But is his baggy, disjointed, action-stuffed movie amazing? Not quite.
It’s woefully weak stuff, a series of soapy plot points that add up to very little. But at least we can stop with the Dark Knight references. The age of Twilight-influenced superheroes has arrived.
Andrew Garfield is note-perfect and the chemistry he shares with Emma Stone is reason enough to watch, but The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is too cartoony and childish for its own good. Spidey’s costume is an improvement, but the film feels like a disappointing backwards step for the series.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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