The Amazing Spiderman 2

Director: Marc Webb
With: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Dane Dehaan, Jamie Foxx, Sally Field, Chris Cooper, Paul Giamatti, Colm Feore, Campbell Scott, B.J. Novak, Embeth Davidtz, Felicity Jones

A massive improvement from its predecessor, The Amazing Spiderman 2 has better stories to tell from Peter Parker's family history, to his love story with Gwen Stacy and to the villains, one of which is Harry Osborn, his long time friend turned biggest enemy.

The underwhelming and forgettable first Amazing Spiderman is well redeemed by its sequel. Although there are times when there's too much stitching of scenes all at once that one would understand why they had to cut Mary Jane's (Shailene Woodley) scenes from the film. There's so many things going on, bombarded by storyarcs and villains that even the villains themselves have their own one.

No complains here because it's more enjoyable this way, just like how I enjoyed the multiple villains of Tobey Maguire's third Spiderman movie with Sandman and Venom. Plus, this makes up for the lame Lizard villain of the first one.

Never a fan of Andrew Garfield. I don't think he can transcend Tobey Maguire as the titular superhero but he's satisfactory here. Although the reason why he's so effective as Peter Parker is because of Emma Stone's appeal. It's probably not right to give all the credit to Emma but to be quite frank, Andrew Garfield's face sometimes look problematic. But they're magical as a duo. They're a real life couple, that's why one can't help but feel the authenticity of Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy's sweet moments especially that they're associated with awesome soundtrack. Last time they had me at Coldplay's Til Kingdom Come, this time they got me with Phosphorescent's Song for Zula (a song also featured in The Spectacular Now :3 Shailene ;_;). You can always trust Marc Webb in terms of soundtrack. Remember (500) Days of Summer?

Emma Stone is just so beautiful and lovable in the film, it's deadly. It's as if every time she appears on the screen, you just love her more & more and this applies both to Gwen Stacy and Emma Stone herself. She's a gem. I love her.

It's unfair to make the monster ensemble a footnote in this writeup because this star-studded film is tremendously acted. Dane Dehaan gave an edgy touch to Harry Osborn, once portrayed by James Franco who I also commend. I've always believed in this actor who actually made my list of best supporting actors of 2013 for The Place Beyond the Pines. Really glad that he took this role because it's way bolder and more reachable for the mainstream audience. With Sally Field's small role, her revelation scene with Andrew Garfield provided one of the poignant scenes of the film. Paul Giamatti was enjoyable. Jamie Foxx, I'm just not a fan. lol

I still prefer Sam Raimi's Spiderman trilogy but what I like about Marc Webb's variant is his playfulness in utilizing Spiderman's powers. Aside from Emma Stone and the soundtrack, Spiderman's webs and acrobatic stunts even in Webb's first Spiderman movie have always been my favorite part. It's one of the better aspects I've noticed in this film compared to Raimi's.

The Amazing Spiderman 2 is heavily plotted, action-packed and sentimental at the same time. I can't imagine and I can't wait to see how they'll follow this up especially with its rather heartbreaking ending. All I can say is good luck Shailene or whoever will play Mary Jane!

Oh and if you haven't watched it yet, there's a badass Mystique scene some time in the middle of its end credits. So timely for Jennifer Lawrence to appear because I can't help but compare her to Emma Stone for reasons I don't really know yet. But yes, that's a tip if you tend to leave the movies while the end credits roll. :3

Top 10 SUPPORTING ACTORS of 2013

 

10. Paul Giamatti as Theophilus Freeman - 12 Years a Slave

Paul Giamatti making the top 10 of any Supporting Actor ranking is probably ridiculous for some, especially that this is for 12 Years a Slave and not for Saving Mr. Banks, in which he has more airtime. There's Gandolfini, Bo Larsen, Rockwell & Carell in Way, Way Back and more, but am I the only one who thinks Giamatti is a really effective villain? 12 Years a Slave has a lot of loathsome characters but Giamatti managed to be the most provoking and believable for me. To hell with the fact that he has a very little role, he's remarkable.

9. Bradley Cooper - FBI Agent Richie DiMaso - American Hustle

I'm probably the only one who thinks Bradley Cooper in American Hustle outacted his own performance in Silver Linings Playbook. Aside from his hilarious imitation of Louis C.K. in Hustle, he also managed to make an annoying FBI Agent Richie become fascinating. It also helps that he's depicting a character that's complex and vulnerable. I see more future for him if he's wise in choosing roles.

8. Dane Dehaan as Jason Glanton - The Place Beyond the Pines

One thing I can say about Dehaan's performance in The Place Beyond the Pines is that he's really good at playing the rebel. It's easy to say that he has strong facial features that can easily convey anger, but that would probably be unfair to his bold and brave depiction of a young man fighting the shadows of his father.

7. Jonah Hill as Donnie Azoff - The Wolf of Wall Street

Perhaps being a huge star's sidekick is the perfect role for Jonah Hill. He's good in Moneyball, he's even better in Wolf. He perfected douchebaggery just like what he did as a sports nerd proving that Hill is a versatile actor. There's a huge potential of him being this generation's Joe Pesci and if he picks more awesome roles, he probably could surpass his reputation.

6. Tom Hanks as Walt Disney - Saving Mr. Banks

I just can't imagine the difficulty of playing a popular character like Walt Disney but Tom Hanks made it seem it's a walk in the amusement park. :3 He managed to match the level of Emma Thompson's PL Travers and I don't think any actor other than him could do that. Well, probably some could but it's just appropriate that these two 90's Oscar stars made a huge comeback with this film. It's just unfortunate that both fell short to nab an Oscar nod.

5. Michael Fassbender as Edwin Epps - 12 Years a Slave

I find Michael Fassbender's psychotic villain Edwin Epps as entertaining. Don't judge me but it's true. In a sense that despite doing vicious things to his slaves, there's something vulnerable and lovable with his character that's just hard to hate. If there's any character to hate in 12 Years a Slave, it's Giamatti and Paul Dano's character not Fassbender.

4. Jake Gyllenhaal as Detective Loki - Prisoners

Jake Gyllenhaal's character is probably one of the most ordinary characters in this category. I wouldn't say that he made his character interesting or give him more credit for it but I find his performance in Prisoners as very calculated, balanced and humane. He's been true to his character without trying too hard and it paid off as he undeniable became Prisoners' rootable unsung hero as a cop who sacrificed his own profession, and life to an extent, to find the truth in a suburb where danger looms in.

3. Barkhad Abdi as Muse - Captain Phillips

Muse, as the main antagonist in Captain Phillips is a character who is simply despicable but also lovable and appealing because of Barkhad Abdi. Considering that this is Barkhad Abdi's first role as an actor from being a limousine driver, it's hard to not put him on top of this category. But it's easy to give him all the support he deserves when we seem him savor the spotlight he's receiving presently. If ever he doesn't continue his acting career or if it fails, there's nothing to be ashamed of because his work in Captain Phillips alone is memorable enough for him to be remembered and more importantly, to be proud of.

2. James Franco as Alien - Spring Breakers

Harmony Korine gave James Franco one of the most complex and iconic characters of 2013 in Spring Breakers. Alien, an illegal drug and firearm dealer/user seems like the perfect role for James Franco who we often see as someone who's always zoned-out. But Franco brings this difficult character with such commitment and braveness that it's hard to ignore his work for this film. Respect for the gun blowjob. Plus, who wouldn't give this man credit for singing Britney Spears' Everytime?

1. Jared Leto as Rayon - Dallas Buyers Club

Need I say more? Jared Leto was Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club. His portrayal of a transvestite with AIDS is not only a complete transformation, but also offers one of the best performances of 2013. After a 6-year hiatus in acting, he's back definitely in a huge way as his chances of winning the Oscar for a Supporting Role is as big as his name. And if in case he doesn't, at least he's number 1 in my ranking. lol

Other Rankings:

Top 5 Original Scores of 2013

Top 10 Cinematography of 2013

Top 5 Original & Adapted Screenplays of 2013 
Top 10 Supporting Actress of 2013 
Top 10 Lead Actors of 2013
Top 10 Lead Actresses of 2013