The Amazing Spider-Man 2

How to rate a film that is visually beautiful, technically well-crafted and boosted by Hans Zimmer’s music, but its content is just so incredibly boring? After all, even animated movies for kids have more imaginative and fresher scripts that meet the kids’ parents halfway. Given that The Amazing Spider-Man 2 follows a long line of comic book blockbusters, the feebleness of its plot is unacceptable. Half of the film is filled with a romantic storyline, the monotony and clichéd nature of which leave the audience speechless, while the other half consists of skirmishes with bad guys that would look overused and dull already in the second instalment of Sam Raimi’s trilogy. Zero development, no winking at the viewer, nothing. Without any juice or a hint of creativity. Stale water boiled twenty times over. Nobody can make me watch the next episode; I’m quite done with Spidey. (24/04/2014)

The series with Andrew Garfield is certainly more likeable than the decade older one, even though they have almost the same visuals and love story. Emma Stone is more natural, Spider Man is more human-like (more realistic), and the action is more robust. However, it is still the most childlike comic book hero among the main ones, and it still isn't grasped as it could be – or rather, it is still a sterile Hollywood action movie with a lot of clichés, corny scenes, and expected twists that don't necessarily need to be there. It's the same thing for the twentieth time. It's charming, but it's already getting repetitive. (01/05/2014)

Emotions overcome reason, anger overshadows some more humane feelings, and somewhere deep within, there's that persistent desire for a deeper understanding of oneself and one's own origin. I wrote that in the previous installment, and I'll write it again now – and perhaps for the last time. Sam Raimi's version was great, but it is Marc Webb's personal approach and scriptwriting greatness that makes The Amazing Spider-Man an unforgettable series. Even after this Electric Rhapsody becomes just another interchangeable summer action film for everyone else, I will remember much more. I will remember Emma Stone, who dialed down her sassy approach and ultimately became the true and genuine Gwen Stacy. I will remember the nervously escalating storyline of Harry, which, even in a smaller space, causes a chilling sensation. And above all, I will remember a more mature Andrew Garfield, who effortlessly handles both the jumping red and blue quipster and the torn-up mess seeking help from his loved ones. In combination with the first film, it is a perfectly intoxicating experience, thwarted only by the greed of Sony bosses on the path to a unique trilogy. It's a tremendous shame, making all the preparation for further adventures utterly futile. Considering the power of the story about the rise of a young loner to becoming a hero, it is so frustrating that my frustrated arguments became irrelevant only a month later when Spider-Man returned to Marvel instead of another reboot. How he fared among the established Avengers, however, is a different story altogether. (05/07/2014)

The first film was about hormones, the second accepts the fact that it has to expose the character to something more fundamental (death, responsibility, loneliness) and somehow develop and problematize the character. Unfortunately, there is a syndrome of beating empty straw with the expression of a farmer whose cattle have died. The clichés and love twists are so stupid that even the nonchalant Webb loses grace and the whole thing is reminiscent of the weak moralistic moments of Raimi's trilogy. A certain inconsistency also continues between the detached adolescent escapades in the clouds and quite harsh moments (the introductory scene is something like Nolan would do) / an effort to motivate the villains more comprehensively. It's nothing that Spidey would excel at, so exactly, as was said here - the action is excellent and imaginative, whilst the link between it is a bit barren. Still nothing that offends me, but also nothing I would watch with increased attention and affection. (24/04/2014)

This is exactly what you expect from a similar movie nowadays. There's a lot of action, it's heavily focused on special effects, the 3D looks excellent, it's occasionally funny, epic, and introspective, and yet I can't help but feel somewhat unimpressed. Modern CGI-filled movies unfortunately leave me cold, so I'm really glad that the screenwriters at least stuck to the canon and did exactly what every fan of the comic series anticipated. Moreover, it looks promising for the next installment, especially with the villains involved. (27/04/2014)