Sunday, 27 April 2014

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Review


                            
Note: The first two paragraphs of this review will be me focusing on my past relationship with the cinematic exploits of the Web-head. While I can understand this perhaps being tedious for those who simply want to hear my thoughts about the film I'm reviewing, I feel that illuminating my background allows me to better establish what expectations I might have had going into The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Also, I have done my utmost to steer clear of spoilers during this review (which might result in me sounding very vague at points). If anyone wishes to use my opinion to judge whether or not they should see this film, I will aim not to give away anything but that which is essential to the construction of this review. With all that rambling out of the way, let's begin...

I am a big fan of the original Spider-Man trilogy by Sam Raimi. It was a bumpy journey, to be sure. I do still love Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, but I acknowledge that, despite their emotional resonance, they can have some very goofy moments. However, they offered enough comic-book thrills, laughs and terrific performances aided by wonderfully engaging story-telling. Then came Spider-Man 3, a film which left many people feeling disappointed and even angry. Too many villains, an idiotically goofy Peter Parker, a badly misused Venom (one of Spider-Man's most famous adversaries), a deluge of subplots... The list of problems is large. But, while I agree with all of those listed and more, I still LIKE Spider-Man 3. Let me emphasise me liking it but not loving it like I did the previous two. Sure, it has its problems, but it had a very troubled back story. After Raimi already had two villains set up, he was put under immense pressure from both the fans and the studio Sony to put Venom/Eddie Brock in the film (hence why the character shows up around the half-an-hour mark and has little screen time onwards). Another theory flying around was that, since Raimi felt this might be his last Spidey film, he tried to cram in as much as possible so that he could leave a bigger impression. The issue of "cramming too much in" is something I want to touch on again later.

A mere five years after Spider-Man 3, Sony released a 'reboot' in the form of Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man. While the brief period between these two reeked of commercialism (Sony basically had to make another Spidey film to avoid losing the rights to Marvel Studios), the film itself was surprisingly strong. Many criticised it for repeating Spidey's origin story, but I honestly felt that it worked for two reasons. The first is that, in showing a different Peter Parker/Spider-Man to the one previously portrayed by Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield needed a film to make his mark (which he did spectacularly). Secondly, it told the origin in its own way. We see Peter before he turns into Spider-Man, we see that his family has secrets and we see more down-to-earth, lovable characters. I like the characters in Raimi's trilogy, but I ADORED them in The Amazing Spider-Man. Their ticks, their interactions, the dialogue... TASM was a superhero film which refreshingly focused on characters and the simple dynamics which evolved. As a result, we got a truly beautiful romance between Garfield's Peter and Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy. While it was by no means perfect, The Amazing Spider-Man was a truly satisfying reboot of the character for me. And the ending promised that there was much more to look forward to...

Well, with The Amazing Spider-Man 2, that 'much more' has arrived.

We pick up with Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) and Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) as they deal with different events in their life. As is common in the world in Spider-Man, these events are only going to become more complicated by the appearance of new villainy on the streets of New York. This villainy takes the form of Max Dillon/Electro (Jamie Foxx), a walking time bomb with the ability to control electricity. Peter's past also plays an important role through family secrets and the return of once best friend Harry Osborn (Dane Dehaan)... 

From the very beginning, director Marc Webb shows that his craft has improved immensely. This is definitely a more ambitious undertaking than the first film, and Webb handles the task with admirable skill. Does the film at times feel cluttered? Yes, it does. But Webb's confidence keeps the film mostly on track, and he zips terrifically from drama to comedy, from romance to action and back again. Plus, while this film may feel cluttered, it promises to shed more light on some of the elements here in future installments (a promise which was lacking in Spider-Man 3).  

The film opens with two thrilling action set-pieces which not only provide dazzling spectacle but also progress the story. Webb almost seems to dare you to try to watch the first Spidey sequence without transforming into a giddy little kid. I didn't even try to resist; the camera captures Spidey in all his web-slinging glory like never before, and it's an absolutely intoxicating rush. The action in this film is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor, both in terms of scope and intensity. If you're looking for big-screen spectacle and excitement, you'll definitely get your ticket's worth.

What makes it so much more than a showcase for wonderful visuals is the exceptional work of the actors, whether they are returning or making their debut in the world of the web-slinger. I'm sorry, Tobey Maguire, but Andrew Garfield is now officially my favourite Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Whether he's shooting off quips left and right, confronting harsh emotional truths or helping to bring life to one of the best film romances in recent memory, Garfield is nothing short of perfect. His Peter Parker is so relatable, likable, sympathetic and genuine that the inclusion of superpowers is just an icing on the cake. Matching him beat for beat is the adorable Emma Stone, whose Gwen Stacy continues to put Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane Watson to shame. Much like Garfield, she is such a lovable screen presence that she lights up the screen every time she appears. She has movie-star charm, wit and intelligence to spare. And the two of them together... The romance between the two is one of the best I've seen in cinema for a long time. I don't have enough superlatives for Garfield and Stone here. They both breathe vibrant life into their characters wonderfully, and this film wouldn't work nearly as well without the two of them at the centre.

For all of my gushing about Garfield and Stone, I do have to give credit to all of the other fantastic performances here. First and foremost is Dane Dehaan as Harry Osborn. Dehaan, in my honest opinion, is one of the best young actors working today (check out Chronicle, Lawless, The Place Beyond the Pines and Kill Your Darlings for proof). As Harry Osborn, he damn near threatens to steal the film from under Garfield and Stone. Dehaan is a captivating screen presence, creating both a threateningly slimy yet oddly understandable character. The motivations for Harry's actions throughout the film are genuinely fascinating, and Dehaan's multi-faceted turn gives Harry's story genuine weight. As Max Dillon/Electro, Jamie Foxx also delivers a sympathetic yet imposing performance. I was really interested in seeing what Foxx would do with this character primarily because Electro is one of my favourite Spider-Man villains. Thankfully, Foxx didn't let me down. Electro is a force to be reckoned with, and while Foxx initially comes across as comical in his portrayal of Max before his turn to the dark side, there is an underlying sadness which quickly boils into a tragic rage. Foxx's terrific work makes Electro an impressive foe. Once again, Sally Field is flawless as Aunt May. Her chemistry with Garfield is wonderfully natural, making it feel like they've really known each other for years, and their scenes together are beautifully understated. In his brief screen time, Paul Giamatti leaves a lasting impression with his deservedly over-the-top portrayal of Russian thug Aleksei Sytsevich. Colm Feore, Campbell Scott, Chris Cooper, Marton Csokas and Embeth Davidtz all provide solid support. My only negative note about the cast is that it's so big that actors like B.J. Novak and Felicity Jones are given almost nothing to do. But I'd have to assume that if a young actor was given even a small role in something as high-profile as Spider-Man, they'd jump at the chance. Judging by a lot of the footage from trailers which didn't actually appear in the film, I'm assuming that perhaps some scenes with them in were cut out. Given how much this film already had to get through, that might not necessarily be a bad thing.

Technically, the film is close to flawless. The visual effects are nothing short of spectacular, especially when showcasing Spidey's agile swinging through the city and Electro's manipulation of electricity. Visually, Electro is Spidey's most impressive adversary by far, his whole body pulsating with power. Electro also gets an exceptional musical theme courtesy of Hans Zimmer and The Magnificent Six (with contributions from Pharrell Williams and Johnny Marr), whose work throughout the rest of the film is equally brilliant. The score perfectly emphasises the emotions of dread, romance, heroism and danger as they appear throughout the film. The soundtrack is also wonderfully chosen, with a particularly pitch-perfect placement of Phosphoroscent's Song for Zola lending beauty to one of the scenes between Peter and Gwen. In fact, I'm listening to the score/soundtrack while writing this, and I'm strongly resisting the urge to purchase the deluxe edition. It is fantastic to listen to, whether in the midst of the film or separated from it. The editing is also strong, helping immeasurably in the film's rapid-fire pacing. Finally, the 3D (which was an unnecessary addition to the other recent superhero film Captain America: The Winter Soldier) is genuinely impressive here, providing a greater level of immersion while never feeling like a gimmick.

While I may have seemed to have nothing but praise for The Amazing Spider-Man 2, there are flaws. There is a lot going on during this film (it's telling that actors were cast in major roles, filmed and then cut), and the seams do sometimes appear. The same charge of ambition could be levelled at this film as Captain America: The Winter Soldier. However, that film played with elements which had already been established within its cinematic universe through multiple films, allowing it to both play with the universe and work as a self-contained narrative. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is introducing several elements within one film. While it does sometimes feel like we don't have much room to breathe, credit is still due to Marc Webb and to writers Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Jeff Pinkner and James Vanderbilt for their ambition. The film sometimes feels like it's setting up later installments as a result of everything taking place. But much like its predecessor, the characters, their stories and the immensely talented people involved both manage to keep my interest rooted in this story and make me very curious to see what happens next. I would have liked the film to be a bit longer by 10 to 15 minutes, just so that a bit more time could have spent on observing the relationships between characters. In the first film, moments like this were in abundance, but here (with a running time only four minutes longer than the first), there's too much going on for that simple luxury to have the same level of prominence. With that being said, there is enough development and care for us to become emotionally involved.  

Overall, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a strong and immensely entertaining superhero film. The visual effects and action set-pieces are stunning, the performances are enthralling, the direction smoothly courses over any bumps to be found in the story, the energy and pacing rarely flags and the work of Hans Zimmer and The Magnificent Six, combined with a perfect song selection, makes the film an aural delight. Plus, the film's conclusion is tremendously well-handled. Despite some problems with over-crowding, I had a great time with this film and I would have to highly recommend it to any Spider-Man fans or even those with simply a passing interest.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5. At the moment, I still slightly prefer Captain America: The Winter Soldier out of the two superhero/comic book films so far this year. I did debate giving The Amazing Spider-Man 2 a rating of 4 due to how crowded it was. Eventually, I felt that I would go for 4.25 instead. It's not quite 4.5 for me after the first viewing, but it exceeded what I would give a 4 due to its sheer entertainment value. 

Thursday, 10 April 2014

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Non-Spoiler Review)
Please be advised: The following two paragraphs of this review are mainly my thoughts on the wider Avengers Universe. If you are only interested in my thoughts on Captain America: The Winter Soldier; please skip these two paragraphs. However, seeing as this is a large cinematic universe which I haven't discussed at length before, I feel that these two first paragraphs are something I needed to write. Also, I apologise if I seem vague at points during the review, but this is done to avoid giving too much away.  

I love Marvel Studios. Outside of Pixar (before the rocky period brought on by Cars 2), few other studios take both such care and such risks with their products. Take the casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark AKA Iron Man. This was a big risk taken right out of the gate. If Iron Man, the first Marvel Studios film, tanked at the box office, the whole Avengers Universe would have been thrown into turmoil. Luckily, Downey Jr. did three things. He owned the role of Tony Stark, he transformed Iron Man into one of the most popular superheroes around and he helped to make the first Iron Man a smash hit. Not that he was the only great thing about the film; I personally rank it among my favourite superhero films. Simply put, Iron Man sparked the creation of a cinematic universe which, while hitting some bumps in the road, took careful steps towards the first 'epic' super-hero team-up film The Avengers. The effort put into this Universe was rewarded with The Avengers becoming a resounding worldwide sensation, beloved by many (including yours truly). Marvel Studios announced that there will be three 'phases' of the Avengers Universe, each ending with a threat so big that the team had to group together to fend off destruction. One phase down, and all was looking well. 

As we entered 'Phase 2' of the Avengers Universe, it became clear that the filmmakers weren't taking it easy. Iron Man 3 had Shane Black at the helm for his second directorial outing (after 2005's hugely underrated Kiss Kiss Bang Bang). Black, along with co-writer Drew Pearce, stirred up a great deal of controversy in the fan community based on certain plot points (which I wouldn't be discussing here). Personally, I loved the fact that both Black and Pearce weren't afraid to avoid the usual Marvel formula, and I thought that Iron Man 3 was a strong film overall in spite of some flaws. Thor: The Dark World, despite taking a risk by having first-time film director Alan Taylor (who had previously done work on HBO's Game of Thrones), felt decidedly more formulaic in structure (bad guy wants to destroy the world, good guy wants to stop him). However, thanks to clever and genuinely funny humour, some really inventive touches and solid performances (with one ace in the devilishly entertaining form of Tom Hiddleston's Loki), I still found Thor: The Dark World to be a great deal of fun. So, in the final step of 'Phase 2' before The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America returns for Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

I really enjoyed Captain America: The First Avenger. I can understand why some people may not enjoy it, but its simple and joyful nostalgia appealed to me. Also, the character of Steve Rogers AKA Captain America is a admirable and strong character. I personally love the character; if these films had come out when I was a kid, Captain America would have been one great role model. Chris Evans proved both with his debut and with his return in The Avengers that he was ideal casting for the part, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier sees him at his most assured, likable and complex in the part. The film itself stands as one of the strongest films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, both adhering to the formula enough to please fans of the traditional Marvel structure while proving ambitious and daring enough to avoid being just another link in the chain to the next Avengers film.

After the events of The Avengers, Captain America has started working for S.H.I.E.L.D alongside Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) under the command of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). However, the Captain has started to question his role in this new world where fear has arguably taken over freedom. His uncertainty is only further clouded by the arrival of The Winter Soldier, a cold and calculating assassin who appears and disappears like a ghost. With this new threat, the Captain must charge into battle with his trusty shield once more...

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is helmed by brothers Anthony and Joe Russo, making their first film since 2006's You, Me and Dupree. This shows Marvel taking another risk with who they choose to direct their latest film, and once again it pays off. The Russo brothers show an unexpected visceral flair in their crafting of the film's numerous action sequences. The majority of blows, crashes and gunfire have a realistic punch to them, which is impressive. Plus, the variety of action sequences is welcome; Captain America is nowhere to be seen during one of the film's most riveting set-pieces.

But the Russo brothers, along with screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, really show their prowess when the characters start talking. The dialogue is intelligent and fun to listen to as delivered by actors who really seem invested in what they are saying. Also, it shows how ambitious the directing and writing quartet are through their willingness to construct a Captain America film with political themes and a less-than-straightforward narrative. I can imagine a lot of little kids turning to their parents and asking questions about what just happened. Kudos to them for not playing it safe.

With a plot slightly more complicated than your usual superhero film, it's important to have characters you can care about in case you lose track of the plot. Luckily, the cast here is more than up to the task. As mentioned before, Evans is great in the role. While Captain America could be seen as a bit bland by some, I feel that Evans gives him great presence and authority. Plus, Evans plays the character's uncertainties beautifully. He also shares great chemistry with Scarlett Johansson. Obviously relishing her role here, Johansson is brilliant. While her character is sultry, Johansson isn't a traditional sex object. She injects her role with great force and wit which shows that Romanoff isn't to be messed with. Samuel L. Jackson is a steely presence in proceedings, bringing his usual cool grace whether arguing with the Cap, facing off against bad guys or talking with Robert Redford's Alexander Pierce. Speaking of Redford, the screen legend does impressive work here. Redford could just as easily shown up for a payday, but it is clear from his first appearance that he is tackling this role with conviction. It's yet another great reminder of the quality talent that superhero films can attract nowadays. Anthony Mackie is also great as Sam Wilson, proving to be likable, charming and genuinely funny. And, last but not least, the actor playing The Winter Soldier does a fantastic job. The Winter Soldier proves to be a great threat, and arguably the best villain of the Marvel Cinematic Universe outside of Loki. People have complained that he's not in the film enough, but I'd argue that he's in it just enough. Much like The Joker in The Dark Knight, he is a character who could have easily overshadowed proceeding if he were over-used. In the scenes when he isn't present, the menace and power of the character is still there, and is justified whenever he comes storming in to cause chaos. I also found the story of the character and how it was woven into the overall plot to be supremely satisfying.

As is to be expected of Marvel films, the technical aspects are superb (with one exception). The visual effects are incredible, especially in the climactic action sequence where they are really essential. There is a refreshing amount of stunt work also evident in the film, making the action sequences feel all the immediate and bruising. Also helping is the terrific sound work, with each clang and clash raising the stakes to more dangerous and deadly heights. Henry Jackman's score has distinct echoes of his work from X-Men: First Class, but still stands as its own thrilling musical accompaniment; the main themes for the characters of Captain America and The Winter Soldier are great examples of music building momentum and power, one with patriotism and strength and the other with a sinister malice. My one complaint on the film's technical value is the unnecessary 3D; it darkens and blurs the image and, outside of Cap's shield (which is never used in 3D fashion here unlike the first film), I see no reason why this film needed to be in 3D outside of more money for the studio. If you want my advice, see this in 2D. You're saving money and you'll probably have a better visual experience.

As with every film taking place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's important to evaluate how inter-connected that film is with the rest of the Universe. Captain America: The Winter Soldier, while never becoming a sluggish advertisement for upcoming Marvel attractions (hello, Iron Man 2), links brilliantly to the Universe in wide-spanning and unexpected ways.

I've listened to other people's complaints regarding the film, and the most prominent seem to be related to the formulaic nature of the conclusion, the unbelievable nature of some plot points and the overt use of the 'shaky-cam'. I have to agree with people who say that the finale of the film is somewhat adhering to formula. However, I personally didn't mind this for three reasons. The first is that it's very coherently shot and edited, allowing the audience to enjoy what is happening onscreen. The second is that, unlike the final battle in The Avengers, we see casualties here, which ups the stakes significantly. The third and final reason is that we care about the individuals involved. The characters have been so well-developed up to this point that we're engaged with what happens to them. So, personally, I found the film's finale to be a very entertaining conclusion. On turning my attention to the second complaint, I did have an issue with one of the plot points in the film, but one person's theory on what it could be foreshadowing actually made me appreciate it a bit more. If that person is right, it's both a sinister hint of what's to come and another great way of Marvel providing continuity throughout this Universe, both of which I greatly appreciate. Finally, with regards to the shaky-cam, I did find it an issue, but only in one scene. Even with that said, it's nowhere near as bad as it could have been (check out the final fight scene from 2012's Alex Cross if you want an example of truly awful shaky-cam). I could still make out what was happening, so while it was an issue, it wasn't a major one for me and I didn't think that it was present long enough to damage the film as a whole.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a great, grand example of a superhero film. Not only does it serve as a thrilling adventure for the title character, it also proves to be a surprisingly thought-provoking film. It's by no means perfect, but there were few, if any flaws which left an unshakable impact on me. Plus, some of the flaws which could be found are arguably a result of the filmmakers being too ambitious, which is a truly laudable thing. The actors are terrific without exception, the characters are very engaging, the action sequences are stunning, the direction is fantastic, the script and story are constantly intriguing and the technical aspects are phenomenal. I think that, along with the original Iron Man, this is one of the strongest examples of a stand-alone Avenger film. It both brilliantly tells its own story and fearlessly makes changes to the MCU. I'm incredibly happy that the Russo brothers will be back to helm Captain America 3 and, as a fan of the MCU thus far, I can't wait to see what's in store next. Until then, I'd highly recommend Captain America: The Winter Soldier. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5. Stay tuned for my spoiler review, where I'll go into more detail on things I've vaguely discussed here.

P.S. As usual for Marvel, the film has scenes during the ending credits. The first, which plays mid-way through the credits, is the usual teaser scene. I loved this, and I can't wait to see how the subjects at play here are further explored. The second, which plays at the very end, isn't as important, but I still highly recommend that you watch it regardless. It's a wonderful little moment for the film to end on.