THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2

**Spoiler alert: My undying love for Andrew Garfield may become slightly obvious**

Basically…

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) continues his quest to discover the truth about what happened to his parents and how they’re connected to Oscorpe’s hidden secrets. This in turn creates more villains for him to face as Spiderman at the same time he unexpectedly welcomes old friend Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) back into his life.

In other words…

If all spiders looked like Andrew Garfield the world would be a much better place.

The main men and leading ladies…

Whether you prefer the nerdy Tobey Maguire or the isolated Andrew Garfield depiction of Peter Parker, the Amazing adaptations work in an entity of their own. The latest arachnageek may be bordering on 31 but he still passes as the uncomfortable teenager trying to settle into the big bad world after high school. His adorable nervousness around Gwen (Emma Stone), shyness around adults and awkwardness in any sort of social situation compliments the entirely opposite traits he possesses while in the lycra and hiding behind a mask. The unquestionable chemistry between him and his real-life girlfriend is to be expected and is extremely satisfying, natural (and enviable) at the same time.

In the chair…

Maybe it was the incredible irony in his surname that attracted Marc Webb to the Spiderman franchise but regardless, it was a huge challenge trying to reboot the already flawless Sam Raimi trilogy from just a decade earlier. With that success still fresh in everyone’s minds he had to take a different path and introduce new challenges for the hero to face. And while the first failed to do that in many ways, taking the viewer on a very similar path to the original, the sequel doesn’t. Webb successfully left Spidey geeks questioning how and when events would occur while those watching it blindly were entertained by the unknown.

So…?

Spiderman as a movie ticks all the boxes for superhero and special effects fans just as much as it does for those looking for a sentimental, heartfelt story about love, loss and confused teenage angst. But as expected, the sequel loses what it’s really about and becomes a mess of action packed drama with too many characters and too much happening. At least with the first movie in a superhero franchise most of the plot is dedicated to introducing the story and developing their transformation. With sequels though, he’s saving the world (again) before we’ve barely taken our first handful of popcorn. And Webb? You’re guilty as charged. If CGI shots of Spiderman swinging through the streets of New York and lifting cars with one hand is what you want then you’ll get your money’s worth. Those looking for more of Peter Parker’s journey away from the mask will feel short-changed though. This isn’t a classic, it’s just a continuation.

Worth the money? 

For two hours of Andrew Garfield...?