Movie Review: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

I am not really a fan of superhero franchises (especially reboots) so I went to watch the "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" with few expectations. Turns out the film's not so bad. Yes, you have Spider-Man; the girl Spidey loves; and three villains. So what's new, apart from better visual effects.

Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man is a lot more likeable, charming and funnier than Tobey Maguire ever was in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy. Garfield's Spidey-suit fits like a glove and his New York twang complements the webbed superhero's new-found sense of humour.

Enter Electro, a nerd-turned-villain-whom-you-feel-sorry-for, and all Spider-Man has to say about his new high-voltage adversary is “Yo, Sparkles.” The two square off -- at Times Square -- for what is possibly the best action sequence in the movie.

Not to forget Emma Stone (my favourite young Hollywood actress) as Gwen Stacy. When not flashing her million-dollar smile, Spidey’s spirited girlfriend is almost the brains of the operation. Well, almost. Must admit Garfield and Stone have some good chemistry going.

There is a surfeit of bad guys -- Dane DeHaan as Harry Osborn (although a gaggle of teenage girls next to me were of the opinion that James Franco was “definitely” more drool-worthy in the role); Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx as Electro; and Paul Giamatti in a blink-and-you-miss-him bit as a Russian henchman/Rhino avatar.

There were some unintended laughs as well. In a crucial bit towards the end, when Gwen is falling from a clock tower and Spidey is trying his best to rescue his lady love, a child’s voice piped up in the darkened cinema hall -- “Papa, woh mar gayi?” (Dad, did she die?) -- Applause and laughter rang out, not quite the effect director Marc Webb intended for the scene.

All in all, a good effort. "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" may not be that amazing, but then there’s nothing like popcorn, cola and a good yarn to beat the heat in New Delhi. I go with 3 out of 5 stars for this webbed sequel.