Recollection Reflection Review: 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2'

To accompany the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming, I've gone back and reviewed all the Spider-Man films so I'm also revisiting The Amazing Spider-Man 2. If you missed any of my other Spider-Man reviews, you can find them at the following hyperlinks: Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, and The Amazing Spider-Man.

'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' Review

Recollection- 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' Review

Reflection- I can recall around the release of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 that the idea of Spider-Man swinging over into the Marvel Cinematic Universe seemed like a pipe dream. Sony seemed hell-bent on establishing their own shared universe with the characters at their disposal and the likelihood of Spider-Man appearing alongside the Avengers was a long shot. With that in mind, I thought The Amazing Spider-Man movies were the closest Spidey would get to swinging straight out of his source material. However, a lot has happened since then and fast forwarding to today you'll find an unprecedented deal was struck between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures allowing shared control of the character and we now have two MCU flicks featuring the wall-crawler in some capacity. Since then, I've watched The Amazing Spider-Man 2 a few times and I've gotta say my tune has changed over time but you'll hear more on that in a moment. I feel the best way for me to elaborate on my opinion will be if I include spoiler-heavy plot points though, so this review will include spoilers.

Review- The Amazing Spider-Man 2 swings forward into the life of Peter Parker as he graduates high school and fights crime on the side. Meanwhile, Peter's conflicted about his promise to Captain Stacy as he begins to realize the severity of the dangers that accompany his double life. However, his greatest battle is just beginning as a new adversary Electro emerges, his old friend Harry Osborn returns to New York, and Peter recognizes Oscorp to be the thread tying everything together.

Marc Webb returned to sheppard the web-slinger's sequel but the film feels devoid of distinct direction. Like Spider-Man 3, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly where Sony interfered but The Amazing Spider-Man 2 reeks of studio interference. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 swung all over the place in search of a reliant anchor point but it never stays in one place long enough to find its footing. Nevertheless, the finished product suffered from an over-reliance of setting up the franchise's future and it's just sad revisiting The Amazing Spider-Man 2 with the foresight none of those plans will ever materialize. 

The script penned by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Jeff Pinkner, and James Vanderbilt is jumbled across the board. The characters sprawled throughout The Amazing Spider-Man 2 seem to belong in drastically different movies, while the film itself is tonally inconsistent from start-to-finish. In one moment the film is downright dour, but in the next it'll crank the campiness all the way up. The film never sticks to the realistic portrayal Webb swung out with in The Amazing Spider-Man, but it can't commit to the camp that accompanies New York's friendly, neighborhood web-head either. The screenplay juggled about four major threads that seldom intersected with one another, if at all. These being the mystery of Peter's parents, Harry Osborn's sickness, Max Dillon's rampant wrongdoing as Electro, and the romance between Peter and Gwen and the consequences of such. 

First off, Peter's investigation into the disappearance of his parents is suddenly abandoned about two-thirds of the way through but it almost had to be addressed simply because The Amazing Spider-Man introduced that story arc. However, these scenes were largely pointless in regards to furthering the story overall and even progressing that specific storyline in a meaningful way. It's understandable that Peter would want to know what happened to his parents since the viewers are in the same boat but it almost goes without saying that every time I revisit The Amazing Spider-Man 2, I'm irritated by its inclusion for drawing attention away from other interesting events and going nowhere. 

Secondly, there's all the drama with Harry Osborn that carries no weight because the audience has absolutely no pre-existing connection to Dane DeHaan's self-loathing Harry. Harry comes off as a irritable, whiny nuisance who faces an ill-conceived sickness that can magically be cured with Spider-Man's blood?... His transformation into the Green Goblin feels contrived for the sake of including a rather revolting rendition of the Green Goblin. At least, Raimi realized he needed to carry Harry's descent into villainy across three movies and Harry's arc to becoming the Hobgoblin occurs naturally throughout the trilogy. However, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 introduces Harry to viewers, hoping audiences will grasp the connection between him and Peter despite their cold scenes together and it definitely doesn't work. 

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 also incorporates side-antagonists Electro and Rhino, to which many like to point out doomed this project from the get-go, but I think it has more to do with the abundance of plot points and Sony's over-insistence to jump-start a new shared universe no-one really wanted. Sure, the use of three different evil-doers naturally handicaps the narrative because it takes focus away from the other two but it's not the primary problem. Would the movie have been better if Sony and Webb agreed to only concentrate on one villain? Maybe, but in reality there's essentially two threats. 

Paul Giamatti's Aleksei Sytsevich (aka the Rhino) is only in two sequences book-ending The Amazing Spider-Man 2 so you'd be hard-pressed to really call him one of Spider-Man's foremost foes in this movie. That leaves you with Electro and the Green Goblin, who never really fight Peter together even though they join forces to break into Oscorp for about five minutes. The film's a mess and that's without mentioning the drab dubstep dragged together by Hans Zimmer, The Magnificent Six (Junkie XL and Michael Einzinger), Johnny Marr, and Pharrell Williams. The more character-resonant orchestral compositions are striking because they completely contradict the rest of the score by enhancing the onscreen events. These themes are greatly appreciated in comparison though because they sound epic and befitting to the character of Spider-Man rather than included for the sake of popularity. 

Despite all the storytelling shortcomings, there are actually redeeming qualities that enhance The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and are the reason I ever enjoyed it to begin with. Most notably, Andrew Garfield's take on the wall-crawler. Over the course of the movie, Peter demonstrates his heroism in many ways but there's one sweet scene where he swings down to help a young boy who was being bullied that has always stuck out to me. He not only helps rebuild the boy's windmill but escorts him home and actually engages in comforting conversation with the boy. I've always felt it's moments like these that define Peter as the friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man and drew me to the character in the first place so seeing a feature length, effects heavy blockbuster take the time to interject a scene like this is heartwarming to say the least. 

On the other hand, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 features numerous slick action sequences for Spidey to shine including a mad scramble through the city involving Plutonium, the Electro's antics in Time Square, a shocking sequence at a power plant and then a ticking, terrifying fight in a clock tower. All of these set-pieces utilize a plethora of visual effects and I've got to say they hold up remarkably well as Electro looks like he zipped right out of the Ultimate Spider-Man comics. I believe credit is also due to the costuming department for weaving an outfit for Spidey that bears the resemblance of his trademark tights with the well-known webbing and eminent engorging eyes. 

The stand-out sequence though is undeniably the clocktower fight depicting the death of Gwen Stacy. Upon rewatch, I watched a majority of the film with little-to-no reaction but this scene still mangled to elicit an emotional response from me because it's so heart-wrenching. This carries the story significance of following through on Peter's worst fears and invokes the realization that those closest to him will always be in jeopardy due to his super-heroics. Sorry for that morbid detour but I felt Gwen's death is such a key part of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 that it couldn't be avoided in this discussion. 

Of course, the shining stars of The Amazing Spider-Man movies were Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone due to their illustrious pairing and how well they fit their respective roles. I always felt their relationship seemed infinitely more believable than the pairing of Maguire and Dunst because the sparks never stop flying between the two. While I've found his Peter Parker to exhibit some creepy characteristics upon subsequent revisits, there's no denying that Garfield knocks it out of the park when he puts on the mask and Stone charms your socks off as Gwen Stacy. Sally Field is also deserving of recognition for her hefty contribution in the dramatic department as Aunt May. 

I touched on each of the villains to some degree earlier in my review but DeHaan's Osborn is cold and calculating, Jamie Fox's rendition of Max Dilon is kooky and unsettling and Paul Giamatti's Rhino is nothing more than a thinly sketched Russian caricature. There's no assistance from the supporting ensemble who do little more than progress the plot so it's ironically entirely up to Garfield, Stone, and Field to save the day. 

In summary, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 undoubtedly has its merits with outstanding leads and memorable moments scattered throughout, but it ultimately gets dragged down from gleefully swinging about New York by Sony's overcrowded ambition.

Film Assessment: C-

Throwback Thursday Review: 'The Amazing Spider-Man'

Sorry for the delayed review but this week I'm wrapping up my Spider-Man series of reviews with a Throwback Thursday Review of The Amazing Spider-Man and Recollection Reflection Review of The Amazing Spider-Man 2. I've already published my review of Spider-Man: Homecoming, so click on the blue hyperlink if you want to check that out. Next week I'll be publishing a Throwback Thursday Reviews for Rise of the Planet of the Apes, a Triple-R Review over Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and a review for War for the Planet of the Apes. Reviews you can expect to see through the month include Throwback Thursday Reviews of Inception and Shaun of the Dead in addition to reviews of new releases Dunkirk, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, The Emoji Movie, and Atomic Blonde.

'The Amazing Spider-Man' Review

The Amazing Spider-Man accompanies an orphaned, teenage Peter Parker as he seeks to learn the truth behind his parents disappearance several years ago. His investigation leads him to Oscorp, where he's bitten by a radioactive spider and begins to exhibit extraordinary abilities. Once tragedy befalls Parker's family, Parker realizes he must use his powers to help others and fight crime as the Amazing Spider-Man. 

In The Amazing Spider-Man, director Marc Webb sought to deliver a new grounded take on the web-slinger's origins. Webb's interpretation retained the crucial components of the traditional origin story but shifted its focus in a different direction. Webb's spidey flicks centered on many mysteries surrounding Spider-Man that were never explored in Raimi's trilogy such as what happened to Peter's parents. Webb even forged a new path for the wall-crawler with a darker, realistic tone, grounding Peter in our reality rather than positioning him in the context of a campy comic book. 

While I feel Webb's ideas had merit, the darker tone simply doesn't fit the character as snuggly considering Spider-Man is a character who's meant to have fun. Sure, Spider quips a lot but the angst and realism almost feel contradictory to the inconceivable events. Webb is able to get the web-head swinging but it takes some time to pick up speed as the first half of The Amazing Spider-Man is bogged down by the well-worn origin story beats. 

Screenwriters James Vanderbilt, Alvin Sargent, and Steve Kloves were tasked with weaving a new narrative web for the slinging franchise to inhabit that was relatively reminiscent of what had come before while including distinct differentiation where possible. Vanderbilt, Sargent, and Kloves stride sufficiently in that regard but never quite escape the shadow of the spectacular storytelling showcased in Raimi's trilogy. The third act's admittedly very unbalanced as the writers frantically search for a coherent ending to no avail but they do manage to uncover some underlying emotional elements to help swing things in The Amazing Spider-Man's favor.

Where The Amazing Spider-Man shines is in the stylistic sequences of Spidey swinging around New York and the action set-pieces. Each battle between Spider-Man and the Lizard remains fairly entertaining, even though they never quite reaches the visceral heights of Raimi's energetic action. The visual effects are excellent and have held up well over time as the Lizard looks like he leapt straight out of a comic book into the real world. I also always liked the design of this Spider-Man suit and the inclusion of web-shooters as they were nice nods to the web-head's source material. James Horner composes a score suited to this version of the character but it's nowhere near as exciting as any of Elfman's themes. The Amazing Spider-Man's most accomplished asset though is undoubtedly its capable cast.

Andrew Garfield brought new life to the web-slinger with a charming and endearing attitude. I never quite bought into his version of Peter Parker since he exhibited more of an angsty teen hipster than an actual nerd but I've always enjoyed his take on Spidey. Garfield not only had the physicality for the role but he nails the line delivery anytime he's wearing the suit. I always bought into his quippy demeanor and felt he perfectly translated that aspect of the character.

Opposite Garfield, Emma Stone imbues Gwen Stacy with intelligence, determination, and a relentless dedication to set her aside from falling into the archetype of damsel-in-distress. Stone also stands apart from just being "the love interest" also thanks to her spunky go-getter personality that enables her to have a hand in the unraveling events. Stone and Garfield were dating at the time but their dynamic has always been one of the saving graces of this franchise since their chemistry was off the charts and the romance felt incredibly authentic. 

Filling out the supporting ranks, Martin Sheen and Sally Field serve as proficient parental figures in Peter's life as Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Both actors convincingly expressed concern and worry for Peter without over-doing any of the anxiety while Dennis Leary's Captain Stacy exhibits all the tenacity that would accompany the heading the NYPD and the unease of an overprotective dad.

Elsewhere, Rhys Ifans brilliantly brings a dual-pronged portrayal of Doctor Curt Connors as a brilliant mind that makes a rapid descent to becoming a mad reptilian scientist. Ifans' Dr. Connors doesn't hold a candle to previous Spidey rogues but he serves his purpose here admirably. 

Even though its no longer the new kid on the block, The Amazing Spider-Man still swings around as a relatively sufficient reboot that's buoyed by its lead performers and stylistic flair. 

Film Assessment: B-

'Silence' Review

Nominated For: Best Cinematography.

In Silence, a number of Catholics endure persecution in feudal Japan for their beliefs and attempts to spread Christianity. A Portuguese church hears wind of this from one of the high priest Father Ferreira's letters and two priests are sent to Japan to not only retrieve Father Ferreira but spread their beliefs, unknowingly to face the ultimate test of their faith. 

Silence is Martin Scorsese's passion project, he's been trying to adapt Shûsaku Endô's novel for over twenty five years and constantly claimed he wasn't quite ready to tackle the source material and I think he was wise to wait. Scorsese masterfully directs the feature length faith epic with gorgeous visual allegories captured by Rodrigo Prieto that are impeccably weaved and cut together by editor Thelma Schoonmaker. Scorsese's 74 years old yet his films are no less poignant. There are a number of interesting creative choices made by Scorsese in regards to the overarching sound design. 

For one, Silence was appropriately silent. There's little-to-no score throughout, with occasional hushed instrumentals in the film's more pivotal moments, and even the dialogue was softly spoken, almost like a prayer (literally a prayer in some cases). The only background noise to be heard is nature itself, perhaps to be interpreted at face value as silence but to be God's voice by others. This obviously ties into the thematic messages explored about response to prayer. Scorsese and Jay Cocks adapted Endô's novel into a screenplay that is riveting as a character study, exploring the progression of three different belief systems; the devout believer, the doubtful follower, and the silent Christian. 

Another undeniable strength of Silence is it's committed cast. Andrew Garfield may have lost the Spider-Man gig after Sony botched The Amazing Spider-Man franchise but 2016 has shown he's more than capable of sticking the landing and getting back to his feet with his remarkable portrayals in Hacksaw Ridge and Silence. Both Desmond Doss and Father Rodrigues have similar character arcs in that they faced trials of faith, but the characters couldn't be any more distinct and both roles demonstrate Garfield's incredible range and acting ability. 

Issei Ogata plays our antagonist as Inoue or The Inquisitor, the driving force determined to wipe out all Christianity in Japan. The Inquisitor is a man of high regard with clear and understandable philosophies and motivations. Oddly enough, I believe this elderly Asian man may have been the greatest antagonistic force present throughout cinema in 2016. 

However, Yôsuke Kubozuka's Kichijiro is probably the most interesting character in the narrative, a tortured human soul with a tragic backstory. Kichijiro is a broken man because he avoids earthly retribution through apostatizing regardless of what it may mean for those around him but he seeks to stand right with God and amend for his sins. Kichijiro is representative of humanity in that we all fall prey to sin and want compassion from higher powers, seeking forgiveness. 

As for other supporting players, Adam Driver is a subdued presence playing the calm devoted servant and Liam Neeson offers another crippled character for the medium. 

Silence isn't exactly the type of film you will come out of the theater gushing about, rather Silence is a self-reflecting spiritual journey. Scorsese succeeds in his telling of the faith epic as technical prowess is top notch, the formidable cast put-forth dedicated portrayal, and the film's messages are delivered in a way that doesn't come across as preachy or noncommittal. It probably requires multiple viewings to fully wrap your mind around everything Scorsese has to offer but you won't exactly be enticed to revisit the exhausting three hour journey.

Film Assessment: A

'Hacksaw Ridge' Review

Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director; Mel Gibson, Best Actor; Andrew Garfield, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing. 

Won: Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing.

Hacksaw Ridge tells the incredible true story of Desmond Doss, a World War II Conscientious Objective who joined the army under the condition that he doesn't handle a weapon or kill a person since it's contrary to his own beliefs. The film depicts the trials and tribulations Doss must face as a member of the U.S. Army, only to become the first WWII C.O. to receive a Medal of Honor after saving 75 men at the Battle of Okinawa. 

The period piece war drama is directed by Mel Gibson, the first film he's directed in ten years, and Gibson's right in his element as he realistically portrays the horrors of war in some truly grotesque sequences of violence and gore at Okinawa, probably the most horrifying combat sequences I've seen since Saving Private Ryan. Gibson in collaboration with director of photography Simon Duggan frames the gruesome sequences of warfare from some interesting angles, interjecting some unique perspective to the piece. 

However, one of Hacksaw Ridge's greatest strengths is it's empowering narrative and screenwriters Robert Shenkkan and Andrew Knight did an excellent job translating the tale to the big screen. While the first act seems a little generic, it effectively lays the groundwork for the themes and messages Gibson and his writers hope to convey to the audience over the course of the film. What really gets all the aforementioned elements across though is the actors and their performances are top notch. 

Andrew Garfield gives his best performance to date as Desmond Doss, capturing Doss' spirit by believably portraying someone who will stick up for their beliefs no matter what the circumstance. Garfield manages to ensure Doss is heroic, headstrong, charming and vulnerable all at the same time, a remarkable feat. 

Teresa Palmer stands in as Dorothy Schutte and does a fine job in the love interest role considering her she and Garfield are adorable onscreen together. 

Hugo Weaving is a standout amongst the cast as he dives into a very different role from what we're used to seeing him in as Weaving accurately brings the mentality and tortured psychology of a disillusioned soldier turned drunk father to Tom Doss. 

Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, and Vince Vaughn all play respective soldiers and do well with what they're given beyond the small one-dimensional bit moments although I wished their humanity and characterization had been further explored. 

If you're looking for a fascinating true story and compelling war drama then this is the film for you. Hacksaw Ridge is uplifted by the exceptional story it's based upon, strong direction from Mel Gibson, and a host of great performances to make for a great addition to the war drama genre, even if it doesn't break new ground.

Film Assessment: A-

'Amazing Spider-Man 2' Review

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 truly was amazing! Overall, this is definitely the best Spider-Man movie made so far! The visuals were truly amazing! The cast did a great job and worked well together. Especially Aunt May and Peter along with Gwen and Peter. I loved the J. Jonah Jameson references and hope he will show up in the next movie. I enjoyed Jamie Fox's performance as Electro, along with Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Dane Dehaan was much better than James Franco. However, it was overcrowded with characters, but it managed to be well balanced. Overall, a great superhero film!