Well, the reviews are in and although there are many that were pretty harsh on The Amazing  Spider-Man 2, I really enjoyed this film for several reasons.  I think those who have critiqued the most harshly are those who feel that superheroes always need to stay “super” in their relationships with humanity, as in the case of the most recent Captain America film.  Captain America focused on him purely as a super hero and was a great film that mainly focused on who he was as a super hero and what he needed to do.  There were tons of fight scenes and action and everything that most superhero films need to have, but not a ton of personable or relatable elements, which is how some super hero enthusiasts think it should be, and they are entitled to that opinion.  With Spider-Man 2 while there is still great action, fight scenes and the witty, humorous remarks that characterize Spider-Man, this film deals a lot with his relationship with Gwen Stacy, which is where I feel some critics have been upset.

I happen to love this more human characterization of Spider-Man, as we have seen him battle different villains, pine after Mary Jane and face his own dark side but we have never really seen him with his first love.  It is the relationships with others that define us, that change us… that make us the people we are.  Without them, none of us would grow, learn, or possibly even care about our behaviors and outcomes.  I think that Peter Parker’s relationship with Gwen Stacy, his first real love, and her tragic loss was a huge defining moment for him as a person and a super hero.  Many people don’t know this back story and only ever think of him with Mary Jane, but learning what happened to Gwen Stacy and how it forever changed Peter Parker is crucial to really understand him as a super hero and makes him more relatable to those of us who are not super heroes.  Superheros are still people and are entitled to feel, care, and have crappy days, just like everyone else.  It is in their ability to push through, persevere and overcome their own pain for the good of society that really makes them super, not just their abilities.

In Captain America, it is Steve Rogers relationship with Bucky Barnes that helped him become who he was and that helps him to not want to harm his enemy at the end of the movie, because he can never forget that this enemy was once his best friend.  I didn’t see anyone complaining about the writers and directors choice to focus on Steve and Bucky’s relationship, so why all of the animosity towards Spider-Man?  Why are we okay with super heroes having best friends and moral friendships, but the idea of them being in love and forever being changed by this love bothers us?

Furthermore in The Amazing  Spider-Man 2, we finally learn more about who Peter’s parents really were and what they died for, which is important not only for the audience but especially for Peter.  We have always known his love for his Uncle Ben and Aunt May, but understanding who and where he came from is crucial for both Parker and Spider-Man’s development as a person and a hero, and another defining moment for him.

If I had any negative comments about the film at all, it would have to be about my disappointment in the villain.  Jamie Foxx did an okay job acting, but for me the whole idea of Electro as the super villain was a little lame.  His powers are impressive and so are the fight scenes but I like my super villains to be a little deeper, darker and more purposeful.  The whole “unsuspecting nice-guy” that gets turned into a freak by accident and then just has to choose to be a villain because there is no other choice isn’t very deep or intense.  He didn’t even have a real agenda—I mean steal back his power grid, so that people won’t be able to ignore him?  Lame!  Luckily, Harry Osborne came in to save the day and I think Dane DeHaan did an amazing job of portraying the twisted villain bent on revenge.  I was much more impressed with him as the villain, nd his personal issues and pure hatred and betrayal than Electro.

Overall I would definitely say this is a movie worth seeing if you are a Spider-Man fan.  The chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone is terrific, Dane DeHann is wonderful, and even Sally Field does a good job.  I liked the mix of foreshadowing the tragic end of the story that we see in Emma Stone’s graduation speech at the beginning and the lingering hallucinations of her father played by Dennis Leary that seem to haunt Peter throughout the film.  The dialogue was great and there are several laugh out loud funny moments and phrases reminiscent of The Avengers.  So from me the latest Spider-Man installment receives an 8, go check it out!