Spider-Man’s most important battle has always been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker finds that a greater conflict lies ahead. For Peter Parker, there’s no feeling quite like swinging between skyscrapers, embracing being the hero, and spending time with Gwen (real-life beau Emma Stone). But being Spider-Man comes at a price: only he can protect his fellow New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city. With the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe far more powerful than he. And as his old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, Peter comes to realize that all of his enemies have one thing in common: OsCorp.
This will be short. I actually prefer Sam Raimi/Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man (the first two) to Marc Webb/Andrew Garfield's Amazing Spider-Man. Maguire's goofy Spidey seems more faithful to the source, while Webb's take strikes me as angsty brooding teen fanfic. I do like Gwen Stacy though!
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 feels like a filler movie, a big setup for the third installment. Things I liked: Spidey's corny quips when he's chasing down bad guys, a nod to Peter's inner dork. Electro's Inception-ey soundtrack (DRRRRRRRNNN), ~electric and very unsettling. Gwen Stacy taking a stand. Things that were meh: the lower half of young Leo diCaprio's face as Harry Osborne. Peter/Harry. Electro wearing boxers ala Doctor Manhattan. Things I didn't like: nothing, really.
In the end, it gave me no ~feels. Gwen's scene was very well done, very close to the comic, but I guess I wasn't in the right state of mind to appreciate it. From friends' reviews, it seems either they loved the movie or they hated it. I'm on the middle ground. It stands well enough on its own, if only a bit empty.