Spiderman seems to be in a tailspin. Though the movies keep making money, each successive one makes less (at least domestically, this newest one looks like it will do very well overseas). The movies aren’t bad, and even the newest one, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, is a decent movie for action super-hero lovers, but I think people are getting tired of them. After all, if you count the original trilogy and the reboots, this is the fifth in the last 12 years. Spidey’s newest adventure attempts to be grander than any previous one, but in the end it feels a little tired.
I left the theater last night thinking it was a really good movie, but the morning after I’m left thinking it was just ok. Spiderman doesn’t have any new tricks up his sleeve to show the audience. The bad guys are pretty one dimensional with no great sweeping plots or intricate dastardly plans. There is a heart-wrenching scene but it was expected and thus even that was a bit of a letdown. I’m a big fan of the Avengers film series over the last few years, because they keep events gripping and on such a large scale (though even there, I’m a bit tired of Iron Man). Don’t get me wrong, Spiderman 2 is a fun adventure. Marvel just may want to take a break and let Spiderman get some rest.
As a side note, I can understand why the filmmakers decided to cut Shailene Woodley’s filmed parts from the final release. She was to play Mary Jane, Spiderman’s longtime girlfriend in the comics. The director and team decided they didn’t want to muddle the movie and the gripping scenes between Spiderman and his old flame Gwen (played by Emma Stone), but I think it was a mistake. Woodley’s star is sharply on the rise between last year’s critically acclaimed The Spectacular Now, and the upcoming The Fault in Our Stars, in which she seems to be getting a lot of early buzz. Not sure if she’ll stick around for the next Spiderman film, and if they make another soon, they could use the star power.
Jons Movie Takes 