Review of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

The Amazing Spider-Man 2, released on May 2, 2014, and directed by Marc Webb, is the second and final chapter of Sony’s rebooted Spider-Man saga starring Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. With a cast including Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, Jamie Foxx as Max Dillon/Electro, Dane DeHaan as Harry Osborn/Green Goblin, and a brief Paul Giamatti as Rhino, it’s a sequel that swings high but doesn’t always stick the landing. Set after the Lizard’s defeat in the 2012 film, Peter grapples with his promise to Gwen’s dying father to stay away from her, while new threats tied to Oscorp—Electro’s transformation and Harry’s descent—test his resolve as New York’s web-slinger.

The Highlights

Andrew Garfield remains the beating heart of this iteration. His Spider-Man is a perfect blend of agility, wit, and vulnerability—his rooftop quips and mid-air banter feel ripped from the comics, making him arguably the most authentic Spidey on screen at the time. His chemistry with Emma Stone is electric (pun intended); their real-life romance fuels a palpable tenderness that elevates every scene they share. The film’s emotional peak—Gwen’s death in the clock tower, mirroring The Night Gwen Stacy Died from the comics—is hauntingly executed, with Garfield’s raw despair and Zimmer’s score hitting like a freight train.

Visually, it’s a stunner. The web-swinging sequences, especially in 3D, are kinetic and immersive, showcasing Spider-Man’s acrobatics in ways the Raimi films couldn’t match technologically. Electro’s design—glowing blue and crackling with energy—pairs with a dubstep-infused soundtrack (Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams) that’s divisive but undeniably bold. The action, like Spidey saving civilians from Electro’s Times Square rampage, captures his everyman heroism well.

The Low Points

Where it falters is ambition outpacing coherence. The film juggles three villains—Electro, Green Goblin, and Rhino—plus Oscorp conspiracies and Peter’s parental backstory, resulting in a narrative that’s overstuffed and undercooked. At 2 hours 22 minutes, it drags; the middle act meanders with exposition about Richard Parker’s secrets, feeling more like franchise setup (for a canceled Amazing Spider-Man 3) than a standalone story. Electro’s arc is shaky—Foxx plays Max as a bumbling caricature before his transformation, and his grudge against Spider-Man feels forced. DeHaan’s Harry fares better, with a chilling turn as the Goblin, but his shift from friend to foe is rushed. Rhino’s late cameo is pure fan service, adding little.

The tone wobbles too—goofy humor (Peter’s ringtone blaring during a tense moment) clashes with the darker beats, undermining the stakes. Critics panned it (51% on Rotten Tomatoes) for echoing Spider-Man 3’s villain bloat, and they’re not wrong. It’s a film that wants to be everything—romance, tragedy, action blockbuster—but doesn’t fully nail any one thing.

The Verdict

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a flawed gem. When it soars—Garfield’s Spidey swagger, the Gwen romance, that gut-wrenching finale—it’s top-tier superhero cinema. When it stumbles, it’s a textbook case of sequelitis: too much, too messy. It’s better than its reputation suggests (Garfield’s performance alone outshines much of the MCU’s output then), but it’s no classic. I’d rate it 6.5/10— a thrilling, emotional watch if you can overlook the clutter. Stream it on Disney+ for the highs, but don’t expect a masterpiece. Garfield deserved a third swing.