Steven graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications, focusing on film studies, journalism and theatre arts. Dubbed a "prolific" writer by Hollywood icon Kenneth Johnson (The Incredible Hulk, V, The Bionic Woman, Alien Nation), Steven has been honored by the Arkansas College Media Association for his story writing prowess. He has also received recognition for his dramatic writing from the Eerie, Shriekfest and Screamfest horror film festivals. Publications include: Carroll County News, Saline Courier, Forum, Echo and Moroch.

EARLY REVIEW: 'THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2'

Posted Friday, April 25, 2014, at 6:49 AM

Photo credit: Sony Pictures

"I once told you that secrets have a cost...the truth does, too."

Movie posters have been teasing that this entry in the Spider-Man cinematic saga would be the web-slinger's greatest battle. Sadly, the highly-hyped fight, much like the "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" film itself is far from great.

Andrew Garfield returns as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Emma Stone reprises her role of Spidey's girlfriend Gwen Stacy. Dane DeHaan, Jamie Foxx, Sally Field, Paul Giamatti and Chris Cooper also star; Marc Webb directs.

Following the events of "The Amazing Spider-Man" (2012), Peter Parker has embraced his new role, as a super-hero. He also ultimately disregards the dying wishes of Gwen's father to leave Miss Stacy alone. A decision that will have dire consequences.

Our hero's life is changed forever when his old friend Harry Osborn (DeHaan) returns to New York. Osborn reveals to Peter that he is dying, and that the key to his salvation might lie in the blood of Spider-Man. Harry hopes that Peter can help him find Spider-Man, since Peter takes pictures of Spidey for the Daily Bugle. Peter hesitates to help, because he fears what effect it will have on Osborn.

Meanwhile, a fan of Spider-Man turns into a super-charged nightmare dubbed Electro (Foxx). And desperate to save his own life, Harry turns to Electro. The pair team to take on their mutual obsession -- Spider-Man.

After his father Norman (Cooper) dies, Harry finds a glider, suit of armor and an old radioactive serum derived from the spiders that infected Peter. Harry takes the mysterious formula and is transformed into the diabolical Green Goblin.

In the climactic battle scene, Spider-Man and Gwen manage to defeat Electro. After Electro's death, the Green Goblin confronts Spider-Man. During an epic confrontation in the clock tower, Spider-Man manages to take down his old friend, but at a cost that will shape the future of NY's most celebrated hero.

It's not a bad film, but the "Amazing Spider-Man 2" suffers from a similar pitfall that plagued the original film. Despite having these new actors and a somewhat modified story, in an attempt to better mirror the comic books, "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" is still a rehash of a narrative that appeared on the Silver Screen less than a decade ago.

The original "Spider-Man" trilogy also dealt with the friendship of Peter Parker and Harry Osborn. The story was touched on in each film, but climaxed in "Spider-Man 3" (2007) when Harry finally turned into the Green Goblin 2.

"Amazing Spidey 2" tells the same story again: the tragedy of Parker and Osborn. Yes, I realize it's altered, but it's essentially the same underlying narrative all over again. Now, I love the calamity of Peter Parker and Harry Osborn in the comics and movies, so this kept me from hating the unoriginal nature of Sony's new film.

The Spider-Man universe is loaded with villains and stories never explored in the movies, but the filmmakers decided to do the same old, same old stuff. With this pattern, continuing to repeat, I suspect "The Amazing Spider-Man 3" will feature a new love interest and maybe Venom as the villain? Sony, it's time to try something new.

Sony, have you ever heard of Carnage, Hobgoblin or the Punisher? Psst, they all got their starts in The Amazing Spider-Man comics.

SPOILER ALERT

The gimmick for the film was of course the highly-anticipated correlation between the movie and The Amazing Spider-Man comic book issues No. 121 and No. 122. The big question: Will Gwen Stacy die in the film?

In those books, Gwen Stacy is murdered by the Green Goblin/Norman Osborn. Peter swears revenge, but walks away instead of taking Norman's life. The Green Goblin tries to murder Spidey with his glider, but instead kills himself.

In the movie, Harry throws Gwen toward the clock tower, but Spider-Man saves her. As she navigates the innards of the tower, Gwen watches as Peter and Harry battle.

Gwen falls, but Spider-Man snags her with his webs. Gwen dangles for dear life, while the Green Goblin chokes Peter. Spider-Man finally overcomes the Goblin, but Gwen's webbing breaks. As she plummets, Spider-Man pursues her and fires another web to catch her.

However, her momentum causes her to break her neck in the fall. Peter removes his mask and holds his motionless girlfriend in his arms. Spider-Man is victorious over the Green Goblin, but Peter's love lies lifeless in his tender embrace. Gwen Stacy is gone.

I love that the film doesn't detour from the comics, and Gwen's death is very emotional thanks to the torrid chemistry and wonderful acting of Garfield and Stone. I don't like that Harry is the one that killed her, but it's just another liberty the filmmakers took. Norman Osborn is not utilized to his full potential, at least in this film -- wink, wink.

Jamie Foxx is an excellent A-List actor. But his character Electro, although prominently featured in the film, seems like an afterthought. It just seems like a waste for such an accomplished actor to get a quote-un-quote mediocre villain in Spider-Man lore to tackle. Make no mistake, Osborn's Goblin is this film's villain.

Even worse is the waste of actor Paul Giamatti, as the Rhino. Look his alter ego Aleksei Sytsevich is in the film. But if filmmakers were going to use him so little in the film, why not wait until the next installment to introduce him?

"Amazing Spidey 2" ends with Spider-Man returning to action after grieving for Gwen. Peter finds a small boy dressed as Spidey in the streets preparing to face the Rhino in all his mechanized glory. Spider-Man and Rhino collide, as the screen fades to black.

I prefer Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man to Toby Maguire's version, but that said the original trilogy still reigns supreme. "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" is a fun film, and it's definitely worth watching, but give me "Spider-Man" (2002), "Spider-Man 2" (2004) and "Spider-Man 3" any day of the week.

SEE or SNUB

RECOMMENDATION: SEE

"The Amazing Spider-Man 2" opens in theaters next Friday

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