Film Review: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

The Amazing Spider-Man 2    9/10

Director: Marc Webb

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan

Plot: Oscorp unleash a number of super villains against Peter Parker while he faces struggles in his personal life.

Spider Man seems to have had a pretty successful run since its original, live-action trilogy (which began back in 2002 to a staggering $821 million at the box office). Following on from this success, 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man proved to be the most successful reboot ever, taking in an equally impressive $752 million and a haul of positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2, in contrast, feels like we’re actually getting somewhere this time around. The first film was very much a copycat of the Sam Raimi original, albeit with far grander effects and an impressive cast. Here, we finally get to expand on Peter Parker as a character, as well as his relationship with the marvellously likable Gwen Stacy (played by Emma Stone) and Aunt May (played beautifully by Sally Field). Andrew Garfield proves yet again that he is the perfect Spider Man; he succeeds in the emotionally charged scenes well. As well as the main cast, we’re also treated to an array of villains this time around; Jamie Foxx as Electro is far better than anticipated. Electro’s hunger for electricity plays out so well on-screen visually and his confrontations with Spider Man are cinematic gold! Dane DeHaan is, however, the standout amongst the newcomers to the series. It’s no secret that he transforms into the Green Goblin and he does so brilliantly. Though his screen time as the green fiend is fairly short, he steals each and every moment (the transformation scene specifically is truly gripping).

Marc Webb (the irony of this surname though…) has managed to steer this series in the right direction. He has a real eye for the action sequences, which must’ve been a difficult transition from his other works, such as 500 Days of Summer. However, the effects cannot be truly admired without the 3D. 3D has been used on countless occasions to little success but when it works, it really works. The shots of Spider Man falling through the sky will blow you away, and the attention to detail throughout is very rare in blockbusters such as this. Where Webb may fall slightly though is in the humour. It may well be in the hands of the screenwriters, but it feels a little too pushed and a little too desperate at times – it’s only a minor criticism but it does detract from the darker themes at hand.

In Conclusion: some may argue that The Amazing Spider Man-2 is a little heavy on the CGI front – I would disagree. This sequel is a visual, 3D feast that blends fantastic villains (except the Rhino… which felt hollow and pointless) and action sequences with a top cast. Dane Dehaan stands out overall while Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone’s chemistry is piping hot – this is the best Spider-Man movie to date.

Film Review: The Raid 2

The Raid 2   8/10

Director: Gareth Evans
Starring: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra

Plot: After leaving prison, Rama finds himself undercover once again and must uncover the corruption within the police force.

It’s really very rare and remarkable to see an up and coming director, like Gareth Evans, to storm straight to the big screen with an Indonesian action film (let alone a sequel). The Raid: Redemption – released back in 2011 – took $15 million at the worldwide box office on a minuscule budget of $1.1 million. As a foreign-language film, it received its cult classic status almost immediately when it opened at the Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim. The Raid 2 rams up the budget to $4.5 million this time around, and takes this newly established franchise to a whole new level.

The Raid 2 is colossal, slick and merciless in its action sequences. The first film concentrated its action in a giant tower block, whilst the sequel opens up its bloody and head-snapping canvas to a wide range of different locations; from a prison, to bars, to the tube... there really are no limits here. The close-combat fighting is even more slick and even more baffling than the first, with just as many shocks and surprises along the way. As well as knife wielding and fist throwing, there’s also some car chases to enjoy here too. As the film progresses, even more of these sequences are thrown into the mix and each fight scene feels completely different to the next.

While the majority of us went to see this film for its action, there are many that may want a stronger and tighter storyline than the first. Well, it may be that it’s subtitled or because there’s a whole array of characters which zip in and out of the film with little purpose, but it’s extremely difficult to follow. The film seems to criss-cross from these quiet scenes of dialogue to these massive action sequences with little purpose. Though Evans has attempted to make this more about the story and characters, we’re all here for the thrill ride.

In Conclusion: while the setting of the first film in a tower block was a huge part of its appeal, The Raid 2 wants to be unique and it certainly doesn't disappoint. There’s blood, there’s screams and there’s also a surprising amount of humour. While The Raid inevitably redefined the action genre upon its release, The Raid 2 goes even further than that – a foreign film to most certainly see (where can I buy a Hammer Girl poster and when will a spin-off of hers be green lit?)

Film Review: Noah

Noah   8/10

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connolly, Ray Winstone

Plot: Noah is informed of an apocalyptic flood and must take out a mission by God.

When you think of a traditional biblical epic, you may well picture a three-hour long, speech-heavy and slow moving film from the 1950s… Darren Aronofsky – the genius behind Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream – removes every ounce of boredom and has created a timeless epic.

To start with, the performances in Noah are all remarkably tight. Russell Crowe and Ray Winstone take to the stage as two acting veterans in an epic showdown, and they play out their scenes with real weight (a particular speech just before the flood begins by Ray Winstone is spine tingling). Emma Watson and Logan Lerman stand out the most in the supporting cast; Watson’s character faces tribulation after tribulation and twist after twist. Watson proves that she can establish herself in a post-Potter world. Logan Lerman really surprises here also; his need for a wife plays out devastatingly before the flood hits and he, too, shakes off all remnants of the child actor within him. The real standout here though, is Jennifer Connolly. Her role as Naameh - the mother of the family - fleshes out as the film progresses, and by the final thirty minutes, she oozes this deep, maternal strength that is truly gripping to watch!

Aronofsky has not only assembled one of the most explosive cast of the year thus far, but also a film that makes you feel something - whether you have any religious affiliation or not. The flood plays out in the middle third of the film and unfolds unflinchingly on the big screen (it takes absolutely no prisoners). The shots of these giant rock monsters flinging hundreds of men through the air are colossal, and everything you could possibly want from a blockbuster.

There are some bizarre side stories to the film though. Anthony Hopkins is fantastic, yet his story as Noah’s grandfather is a little bizarre and sidetracks the film at random points. Douglas Booth seems to be sidelined throughout too; he has a lack of dialogue and there are times when he, as well as some other minor characters, are completely disregarded and pop up merely to remind us that they still exist!

In Conclusion: Aronofsky succeeds in making the family drama as epic as the flood itself, which plays out like a battle in Middle Earth. There’s something here for everyone – a disaster film to remember.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Captain America: The Winter Soldier   8/10

Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson
Plot: Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) battles a new enemy, The Winter Soldier, as well as a new threat from SHIELD.

Marvel seems to have hit the correct mark with sequels – Thor: The Dark World – and missed it with others – Iron Man 2. Whether you prefer the sequel to its predecessor or not, you cannot deny that Marvel always strive for better, and The Winter Soldier is no exception.

Whilst the first Captain America film immersed itself in a slow-burning origin story, The Winter Soldier is a bolder and more exciting film. To begin with, the action scenes in the film are relentless; the film opens with a giant boat, capture sequence which cranks up the momentum and lays the foundations for even bigger set pieces later on. Certain sequences in cars are phenomenally staged and flawlessly assembled; there are steering wheels ripped off, giant battering rams thrown about and enough explosions to put The Avengers to shame. We should be thankful to Marvel for this film, because there’s always been a sense of their films holding back for the next one – whereas the $170 million budget here says otherwise.

Though the action sequences are some of the best you may see this year (let alone from a Marvel film), the entire production wouldn’t quite succeed without its acting royalty. Chris Evans returns as the titled character and he manages to delve deeper and deeper, by exploring his character’s traumatic memories of war. Samuel L. Jackson makes a comeback – yes, again – and plays perhaps his largest role in a Marvel film to date. Those that may not be his biggest fan should remain seated; as he plays a crucial role in one of the most spectacular car chases you may ever see (take note of a giant battering ram which you yourself will want to own). The real star of the show here though is Scarlett Johansson. Her close-combat kicks and punches are so gut-wrenchingly powerful, that you wonder why she hasn’t had a film of her own yet. Also, Johansson and Evans get to play out together here in a Brad and Angelina-type ensemble, yet you constantly question where their real intentions lie.

There’s little to criticise here. The story itself is gripping but a little difficult to follow at times. It’s a film that is loyal to its most trusted followers, as it leaves little for those that haven’t seen the first film recently. The 3D – which was spectacular in IMAX – is a decent conversion but not entirely necessary. It isn’t on the scale of Gravity or Avatar, but the option is there (you won’t miss anything seeing it in 2D).

In Conclusion: Captain America: The Winter Soldier is ginormous and far bolder than any other Marvel film. The story plays out like a giant cat-and-mouse, espionage thriller, rather than the typical good guy, bad guy flick we’ve become so familiar with – this is a must see. Plus, stay through the credits, there are some post-credit scenes you won’t want to miss.