Cinematic Paradiso

How to Train Your Dragon 2 Review

Directed by: Dean DeBlois

Casts: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Cate Blanchett, America Ferrera

Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Release Date: 12 June 2014

This summer, Hiccup and his dragon-best friend Toothless return for bigger, bolder adventures in How to Train Your Dragon 2, taking place 5 years after the vikings of Berk made peace with the dragons. As the duo travel beyond their northern home to discover new lands and reptiles, their bond grow stronger in face of emerging dangers and turbulences.

Praises: How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a prime example of a sequel done right, expanding on the formula which made the first one a success rather than repeating it. The much beloved young viking and his winged-companion continue to charm audiences with many "aww moments'"; couple that with some really heart-felt scenes it's near impossible to not leave the cinema hall without wiping a few tears off our eyes.

Admitting to have drawn inspirations from Star Wars' The Empire Strikes Back, director/writer Dean DeBlois made this second chapter the bridge to the 3rd and possible conclusion of a planned trilogy, hence the darker shift of tone is highly noticeable. He did it in such a way that as the audiences of the first grows, so does the story and characters. Certain critics noted that it may be a tad bit too intense for younger audience but I hold my stand - to me the movie balanced its appeal to kids and adults evenly.

Though I wouldn't blame them. The inclusion of Dragon Bludvist (who definitely sounds like "Bloodfist") as the chief villain itself sheds a grimmer light but one that I finds necessary to make the story better. He's a man who antagonises the dragons from his own earlier bitter encounters, however, unlike the vikings his hatred for the beasts rends him cruel and vicious and as a result becomes a megalomaniacal warmonger. His existence is opposite symbolism of Hiccup's peace-loving persona, which makes him a bad guy with actual weight to the story.

From the trailers alone, we know that Hiccup's long-thought-to-be-dead mother is in fact well and alive. Wait, how? I will let you figure that yourself if you haven't already but Hiccup finally has it all - a complete family, a dragon buddy and the love of his life. How short-lived this happiness turned out to be and the subsequent repercussions truly magnify the emotional experience and serves as a stunning reminder that animation films can mess with our hearts as well as any live-action endeavour.

Now now, it seems as though all I fascinate about is how serious everything is in this sequel. That's not the case really, for the film is a whole load of fun as well. DeBlois knows better not to let the sense of joy drop too low - after all it's what made the first so endearing to us. Many moments to laugh our hearts out, guffaw at the silliness of certain horny dragon-riders and seeing the world through the eyes of Hiccup and Toothless, How to Train Your Dragon 2 reinvigorate the child and youth in me.

Vastly entertaining with breathtaking visuals and majestic scores, it is indisputable that this is the best animation film Dreamworks has churned out for quite some time and the best since Disney's Frozen last year.

Complains: I guess all that being said, I still prefer the first one slightly over this as seeing Hiccup and Toothless getting to know one another and their bond getting stronger - it felt a whole lot more personal to me. How to Train Your Dragon 2 hit extremely close to home, but still a notch lower than its predecessor.

Rating: 9.1/10
Hit or Miss: Even if everything else in the film fails (which they don't), Toothless is ridiculously loveable. Hit.

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Kuroshitsuji Review

23:43 | Labels: Movie Reviews

Directed by: Kentaro Otani & Keiichi Sato

Casts: Hiro Mizushima, Ayame Gouriki, Mizuki Yamamoto, Yuka

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Suspense

Release Date: 12 June 2014 (Malaysia)

Loosely adapted from the manga & anime of the same name, Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) follows the exploits of Shiori Genpo (Gouriki), head of the Genpo noble family and her tailcoat butler Sebastian (Mizushima) as they solve crimes as the Queen's "watchdogs", all while searching for the true murderer of Shiori's parents.

I was a huge fan of the anime's first season (and would like to pretend the horrendous season 2 never existed) so I'm half-heartedly skeptical about how a live-action adaptation would play out. To make it easy on those who know zilch on the original story, Sebastian is a demon - vowed to serve Shiori until the point where she exact her revenge and henceforth consume her darkened soul. Sounds grim, but the main appeal of the original work is the relationship between the butler and his master. As Sebastian stands hungrily by his master's side to devour the precious soul, he can't help but also be simultaneously amused by his master's humane actions that is often accompanied by cold demeanours.

Praises: Fanboy-ing aside, there are several stark differences between the anime and the live-action. For one, Sebastian's original master is Ciel Phantomhive - a Victorian era noble while here, it's Shiori, a noble living in a 21st century "Eastern Nation". Apart from the settings, the stories differ significantly; but Hiro Mizushima of Kamen Rider Kabuto fame managed to pull off a rather impressive Sebastian Michaelis, maintaining much of the character's charming charisma without making it feel cartoonish.

A realistic Sebastian can be tricky (it's a flawless, handsome demon for Christ's sake!) but Mizushima makes it seem like an effortless stint and though he serves a different master here the love-hate relationship between Sebastian and Shiori mirrors the one with Ciel, thus not much to complain about. One of the many twists is that Shiori is actually a girl dressing up as a boy for the Genpo head can be of only from the male species, a comedic nod to the fact that Ciel looks quite much like a girl in the anime. I find this change rather hilarious and offers a refreshing take of a more emotionally compelling bond between the two.

Much like the Phantomhive household, Shiori too has a clumsy, over-attached maid servant Rin and the quiet, tea-sipping old butler Tanaka. Both offered comedic reliefs while maintaining their role from the anime and despite shortage of two (namely an explosive-frenzy chef and a superhuman gardener) they filled up the void quite well, offering Shiori a sense of family-love that she has long lost. I can't get enough of their antics really, therefore I appreciate the excellent choice of Mizuki Yamamoto and Taro Shigaki for the respective parts.

The film makers know well not to dish out a Sebastian that lacks class, elegance and of course, speed - I delight upon the fact that the demon butler moves with blinding agility both in battles and in service, something that mustn't be lost in translation. Another plus is that the action choreographies felt neat, demonstrating the demon's abilities without being way over the top.

Plot wise, the film adopts a more current approach on social illness and themes of modern world and while I personally prefer the original 19th century London fix, these contemporary flavours can be quite exquisite. Fans of the anime/manga might be able to figure out the entire narrative before halfway through the film but still, the characters do smart things to thwart a seemingly smarter menace, giving a sense that the movie is constantly ahead of the audience.

Complains: Unfortunately, the film loses its pace and momentum towards the climax. The final confrontation felt overly draggy, and just when you think it's over something else pops up to prolong it. I understand the need to emphasise the dramas in order to develop and flesh out the characters but much of the intensity is lost in a stretched-out finale.

It doesn't help that the villains are outright flat, one-dimensional characters that are utterly uninteresting. Hanae makes one helluva boring antagonist with a selfish motive sparked from deprivation of love; while her character aims to be tragic instead she came off as a spoiled whinny brat. There is at least one possible sequel given the way this film ended, so hopefully the film makers will get the baddies right next time.

Jeez I almost forgot, there's the Undertaker.... a total waste of space.

Rating: 6.8/10

Hit or Miss: Imaginative much but missing a few marks, Kuroshitsuji is best served with a pinch of salt. Marginally hit.

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Edge of Tomorrow Review

19:47 | Labels: Movie Reviews

Directed by: Doug Liman

Casts: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Jonas Armstrong

Genre: Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Release Date: 29 May 2014

Alien forces dubbed "Mimics" launched a worldwide invasion on Earth, rendering humans defenceless and on the brink of destruction. Major William Cage is the face of the US military but has not seen a day of combat in his career. He unwillingly finds himself in the midst of a suicide mission - only to die minutes later before reliving the day over and over again in what seems to be a never-ending time loop.

Praises: Slimy mechanical aliens. Grungy-looking battle suits. Lots of explosions and deaths. Time travel. Tom Cruise and his beautiful puzzled-eyes. Sounds like a pretty cheesy, messy, been-there-done-that kind of film right? I admit to not having much high expectations for Edge of Tomorrow but when the credits start rolling, I stood up and gave the film a double thumbs up.

The overall plot felt clever, fast and evenly paced, innovative and intense, keeping me engaged throughout without losing momentum. Tom Cruise plays a military officer who is anything but a soldier. He is a PR figure, good with his speech, excellent with his persuasion. To put him on the battlefield guarantees a certain death, and true enough he didn't even last 5 minutes before meeting his Maker - or so we thought. I think it's fair to say we have more than enough of Tom Cruise being a skilled fighter/special agent; to see him confused, scared and helpless is rather interesting and refreshing.

Things get a lot worse for Major William - he dies, then revives the next second to relive the day again. And again. And again. To live through the same fear and pain repeatedly while seemingly unable to alter the ending can put a huge dent on anyone's psyche. Then comes the bitter-sweet mix - meeting Rita Vrataski (Blunt), one of the best Mimic-slayers in play. Having to die on your own repeatedly is one thing, having to see someone you care die along with you is another. In quite an unlikely romantic setting, the two leads have excellent chemistry mix that pretty much left a heart-wrenching feeling tugging at the bottom of my stomach.

Collectively the visuals are an orgasmic treat; be it the ships, suits, or alien tentacles they work cohesively with the narrative to never give a single dull moment. The concept of time-loop was used without creating much self-conflicting paradoxes, effectively feeling brilliant while avoiding serious complications. A sci-fi cinematic experience that doesn't tire, Edge of Tomorrow puts Tom Cruise right back in the game.

Complains: How often do we see great buildups in movies only to be hampered by a lukewarm climax? More than my fingers can count, really. Edge of Tomorrow may be ambitious right from the start but seemingly resort to cheap, safe fallback towards the end, giving a somewhat confusing and not to mention predictable conclusion to a story that could offer plentiful. Was it to cater to mainstream appetite I do not know, but the film certainly lose some points with me there.

Rating: 8.7/10
Hit or Miss: Edge of Tomorrow is one of the better films this summer, a sleeper hit as I like to call it.

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Maleficent Review

23:42 | Labels: Movie Reviews

Directed by: Robert Stromberg

Casts: Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley

Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy

Release Date: 29 May 2014

A retelling of one of Disney's most well-known classics Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of its chief villainess, Maleficent offers a rather sympathetic tale of origin, a look at the betrayal which led to the once kind and loving faerie into becoming the mistress of evil we all know and fear (kind of).

Praises: I'm no master fan of Disney fairytales, but at the very least I know what to expect of a Sleeping Beauty remake - somewhere along the line of a bad woman in black who cursed a princess to sleep and prince charming comes to the rescue with a kiss. Although that isn't entirely wrong, writer Linda Woolverton gave a few surprising twists to the narrative to make the entire experience familiar but fresh, even for those who grew up with the story.

Prior to the film's release, the public has taken keen interest on Angelina Jolie's new stint - teaser images of the Tomb Raider actress in full Maleficent costume garnered positive response with great anticipation. Now, having finally watched the film, I must say I'm truly enchanted by Angie's spectacular performance. She moulded the character that would befit her own image and the end result can be described as "sexy evil". There's no other better way to put it - Angelina Jolie is Maleficent and likewise Maleficent is Angelina Jolie. Even if nothing else impresses you, there's no denying that she is simply magical.

Of course, she wasn't the only one noteworthy in the film. Sharlto Copley played the paranoid and treacherous version of King Stefan, who incurred the wrath of Maleficent after betraying the latter for the throne. What I mean by that, well, you have to watch the film to find out (this is strictly a spoiler free review!) Sharlto of District 9 and Elysium fame is definitely a brilliant choice when it comes to a role that is rather twisted in the mind.

Now, how can it be a Sleeping Beauty film without the eponymous princess herself? Elle Fanning puts up a really attractive smile as Aurora, the cursed heir of King Stefan who's fated to prick her finger on a spinning wheel spindle during her 16th birthday and inadvertently falls into deep sleep. Her relationship with Maleficent is unlike any other we have ever seen or heard and is integral in her emotional transformation (apart from the betrayal for sure). Without revealing further, it's safe to say Aurora is a whole lot more integral to the plot progression and culmination than her mid-20th century incarnation did.

Sam Riley may not be a well-known name yet at this point, but he sure is entertaining and funny to watch. Be it a crow, a wolf or a giant reptile.... he's charming nonetheless.

To sum up the good parts, Maleficent thrives on its casts to deliver an old story anew and for someone like me who often shrugs at fairytales, I enjoyed the film for the most part.

Complains: For all it's worth, the effort to revamp Sleeping Beauty did not spare it from certain Disney cliches. There are several moments when I'm drawn into the character conflicts only to be taken aback by certain lines so cheesy I cringed. I know it's still a Disney flick, but to have the story flicking back and forth indecisively between what's corny and what's not seems rather lackluster on the writers' side.

The visuals are stunning but holds no weight on the narrative, besides, it's not something we have not seen in other fantasy films.

Rating: 7.7/10
Hit or Miss: A remarkable summer treat from Disney, I beckon. Hit.

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X-Men: Days of Future Past Review

02:06 | Labels: Movie Reviews

Directed by: Bryan Singer

Casts: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Ellen Page, Peter Dinklage, Nicholas Hoult, Evan Peters, Shawn Ashmore

Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Release Date: 22 May 2014

As war machines called the Sentinels lay waste to the race of mutants and any humans who dare assist them, the final remnants of X-Men hatches a plot to rewrite history by sending Wolverine (Hugh Jackman)'s consciousness back to the past, to unite a younger Professor X (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) together in a final attempt to save the future.

Praises: Being the most anticipated superhero film of the year, X-Men: Days of Future Past definitely live up to its expectations, much thanks to director Bryan Singer. Having directed the first two film in the franchise before dropping out in favour of Superman Returns (which turns out horrible by the way), we have seen some pretty disastrous mutant outings. X-Men: The Last Stand was fun but clumsy and cluttered. X-Men Origins: Wolverine was so outrageously f*cked up I won't even consider it canon. X-Men: First Class and The Wolverine restored some faith in the series, but weren't quite the spectacle unlike X-Men and X2: X-Men United.

Errk.... errrk..... rawwwrrr

The music playing during the opening credits immediately kicks in a warm nostalgic feeling, a heighten sense of familiarity that this IS a Singer X-film. It takes no time to plunge audiences right into the grim, dystopian future where the world is devastated by the war against mutants; where even humans cower in fear against their own weapon as the Sentinels spare not those who bore genes that could potentially give birth to mutants. We see some epic showdown between several surviving mutants and the killing machines before Wolverine earns himself a time travelling job, thanks to the fact that his brain won't snap in the process. In comes Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page) who's phasing ability allows her to send one's mind back to their younger self.

Charles: Damn I feel short

Back in 1973 (that's 50 years of time-leap!), Wolvie has to convince a beaten-down Charles Xavier and a grudging Erik Lensherr to set aside their bitter rivalry after the events of First Class and work side-by-side to find and stop Raven/Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) from killing scientist Bolivar Trask (Peter Dinklage), which will inadvertently set in motion a chain of events that will lead to the creation of the Sentinels. While a plot that involves time travelling often or not give birth to confusing paradoxes, DOFP does the opposite: it closes most of the gagging plot holes unwittingly conjured by previous instalments. That feat alone is impressive, furthermore it's achieved utilising a large ensemble cast without complications.

The princess and the hunks

Despite majority of the story taking place in the past, Singer knows well to cater to fans of the original X-crew (not chronologically speaking, of course). Imagine my adrenaline when I see the chilling Bobby a.k.a. Iceman (Shawn Ashmore) in action, the thunderclap accompanying the presence of Storm (Halle Berry) and the magnificent sight of Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen's version of Professor X and Magneto walking down the aisle. These characters represent the mutants' "real last stand" and Singer makes sure their presence are carried consistently throughout. He knows when to shift in-between time periods to cast a greater urgency for the heroes to complete their quest in '73, as every second ticks by the mutants are one step closer to total elimination. Rest assured, it ain't all retro as newcomers Blink, Sunspot, Warpath and Bishop have also joined the party in the last line of defence. Though they have little dialogues to speak from it's still fun to witness these newbies pit their powers against the relentless Sentinels.

Here, take my love! Voom!

That being said, those who expect DOFP to be an action-packed extravaganza might be disappointed. Cramming the screen with explosive, mindless showcase of mutant powers just isn't Singer's style. Look at the first and best two film of the lot. Are they swarmed with plentiful action? Not really. Just enough to compliment the intense storytelling, without giving out the feeling of "cheap entertainment". The same is done here; to truly appreciate the film one have to breathe in the complexity of the plot, the emotional conflicts between the leads and the resolutions that come thereafter.

I'm betting all my serum you're gonna miss, Erik.

Looking at the ensemble cast, it comes as no surprise that the performance bar in DOFP scaled sky-high. What piqued my interest most is one particular Evan Peters who played Quicksilver, the fastest mutant on the planet. His charisma is perfect in injecting the right dosage of humour into the otherwise serious narrative, to really give that comical vibe superhero films ought to have. I wish he has a more pivotal role to play and he is hands down, the single most fun character to watch in the film.

Just...Look at that face!

Complains: Some minor things are still left unexplained, such as to how Wolverine regained his Adamantium claws back after losing them to a Japanese zombie. They are not the kind that will ruin the story flow if left unchecked but still I prefer them sorted out. Also, more Quicksilver perhaps?

Rating: 9/10

Hit or Miss: I have waited long enough for a X-Men film that delivers. Thank god the wait is over. Hit.

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Godzilla Review

02:18 | Labels: Movie Reviews

Directed by: Gareth Edwards

Casts: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Ken Watanabe

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Release Date: 15 May 2014

Godzilla is Hollywood's second attempt to bring the behemoth to the big screen after the 1998 disastrous adaptation of the famed Japanese franchise. As humanity stand helpless in the wake of monstrous forces of nature, their only hope of salvation may lie on the largest and most powerful of them all.

Praises: With over two dozens of Godzilla films in Japan and one horrid remake in '98, it's rather fair to ask: why do another one? What kind of story will it tell that could possibly be any different than before? Of course, when it comes to studio execs, it's all about profits. As bad as it is, Roland Emerich's version garnered well over $300 million, so why not right? Even if it means trampling all over a much beloved cultural icon and making it into a form of mindless, cheap entertainment.

Thankfully, we have Gareth Edwards in the director's chair, a genius who previously helmed the brilliant Monsters in 2010. He goes on to show that with the right directing, the right script and the right cast, he can turn even the cheesiest film to a masterpiece. And he did just that.

The story begins with a black and white montage of nuclear testing in the '40s and '50s, which actually turns out to be a highly classified operation to destroy Godzilla. Speeding forward to 1999, a massive radioactive fossil was discovered in the Philippines by scientists Dr. Ichiro and Viviene, played by Ken Watanabe and Sally Hawkins respectively. Around the same time, a mysterious earthquake destroys a nuclear power plant in Janjira, Japan and claimed many lives, including the wife of engineer Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston). That effectively turn Janjira into a "ghost town" overnight, with all its citizens evacuated under the premise of "radioactive hazard".

Unconvinced that the earthquake was a natural occurrence, Joe spent the next 15 years seeking the truth, inadvertently straining his relationship with his son Ford (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) who intends to move on with life. Of course, when it comes to government conspiracies no one believed him, including Ford who ended up joining the military and having a family of his own. Reluctantly he travels to Japan to bail Joe out of prison when he went beyond limit in his investigation, only to discover that all the wacko theories conjured by his estranged father may not be total bull after all.

So now you ask: what's so good about all this? And where's Godzilla? My answer is it's good because Gareth Edwards took his time to build up enough anticipation, drama and tension leading to the beast's grand appearance, making its entry more appetizing than ever. This also means the giant lizard won't be roaring until a good later portion of the film, which is fine by me. By doing so, there's ample time to immerse in the characters' individual conflicts, to absorb their emotional pain well enough to care for them.

Why give this darker, grimmer retelling of a 30-storey reptile a shot? Is it worth your money? In all modesty, yes. Reason for that is because Edwards defy viewers' expectations. Many walked into the cinema with a mental prediction on how the plot will play out - it's a monster film after all. Having indulged in Hollywood treats for years, it comes as no surprise we tend to know when the "big revelation" will come by. For some, they expect to see 2 hours worth of monster mega brawl simply because it's fun. Edwards clearly understands and he makes sure the trailers feed the eager audiences exactly these, only to subvert their expectations once the film starts rolling.

Confused viewers will then start whispering to one another: It's 30 minutes in. I still don't see Godzilla. Edwards is a genius at roping in the excitement to see the "king" rising with all its glory and magnificence, so much that the very sight of Godzilla's massive hind spikes surfacing itself is cheer-worthy. The whole build-up is a wonderful experience for me; contrary to popular claims I don't share the same sentiment that Godzilla had too little screen-time. He got just what he needed, nothing more and definitely nothing less.

We often see an array of rookie or B-list actors in monster films but evidently Edwards has no intention to let poor casting ruined his work of art. Bryan Cranston is an outstanding choice, his performance and screen-presence add gravitas to his character's tragic tale. Aaron Taylor-Johnson did marginally well, though a little more emotion on that handsome face wouldn't hurt. I really like Elizabeth Olsen in this, who played Ford's spouse Elle. It's good to see her stepped into a more matured role that of a wife and mother, a change from her previous common ones.

If you grew up in the 80's or 90's, chances are you're an avid fan of gargantuous kaiju and mecha face-off, and the reason why 2013's Pacific Rim was a pleasant fan service. Godzilla sets out to reinvigorate that passion by giving us one hell of a kaiju battle royale fans of the franchise have been dying to see. The climatic clash is a spectacle to behold, the amount of awesome-juice oozing out surpasses that of even Pacific Rim's. I won't give out spoilers but I assure you classic Godzilla devotees will applaud in glee when they see what it can do with its mouth apart from chomping, of course.

Complains: Nothing much to pick on, really, except that everyone's got a story of their own, except the "boss" of the show. Overturning expectations is great, but it has to be done with conscious subtlety in mind. I love how Edwards hold back in unleashing the big guy, but when Godzilla finally stomped the earth the awestruck can only last so long before I begin to ponder: what's his deal? What's his story, his reason for crashing the party? His awakening raises many questions, mostly unanswered.

Also, Ken Watanabe's talents could be put to much better use in the narrative. He happens to be "the scientist on board", there to give unappreciated side commentaries that got ignored for most part of the film. An actor of such calibre should never be played a decorative, with his charisma a proper character arc would have given the overall story greater depth. Aaron Taylor-Johnson answered his call okay, but his character, being the lead and all, didn't quite have a lasting impression on me.

Sushi for you, sir?

Rating: 7.5/10
Hit or Miss: A vastly improved reboot with fantastic CGI and plot treatment, Godzilla is a welcome addition to the franchise, setting a whole new benchmark for future monster films to come. Hit.

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The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro Review

01:59 | Labels: Movie Reviews

Directed by: Marc Webb

Casts: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Sally Field

Genre: Action & Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Release Date: 1 May 2014

Peter Parker (Garfield) begins to enjoy his life as Spider-Man: swinging by skyscrapers, busting asses and kissing Gwen Stacy (Stone). However, he is also aware of the looming threat that being a web-slinger brings him and those close to him. While his uncertainties (and a now broken promise) haunt him and strain his relationship with Gwen, schizophrenic Oscorp electrical engineer Max Dillon (Foxx) landed himself on a tank full of genetically altered electric eels and was "reborn" as Electro. As if the high-voltage danger is not enough, his childhood best friend Harry Osborn (DeHaan) returns to his life, which is a cause for celebration until he decides to go green.

Praises: After months of heavy-duty marketing and promotional campaigns, am I excited for the new Spidey-sequel? Yes. Did the news that there will be three villains instead of one scared me? Well, after what happened to Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3, yes. With a wary heart and mind, I braced myself for either a genius pull-off or a messy clusterfuck. End result? Neither.

Everything you pictured Spidey to be - an ass-kicking vigilante, a cocky-suave joker, a hero, a romantic - it's all there. Peter Parker's swift transition of personalities each time he's on and off the suit is what makes the Andrew Garfield's version charming. He did it in The Amazing Spider-Man and he did it again a whole lot better here. I still love Tobey Maguire's rendition but the new Pete is slowly earning a firm spot in me.

The narrative, while being jumbled up, did get one thing straight - the genuine goodness of Peter Parker despite his tragic past that made him the friendly neighbour to New Yorkers. It's kinda similar to how Marvel Studios did their Captain America. His act of selflessness in spite of all the pain he goes through daily is heart-warming and certainly made me care a whole lot for the character. Like Steve Rogers, he isn't about being the perfect hero or person. He is flawed in many ways just like every other ordinary people. The audience is able to identify and relate to him that way, and how he chose to uphold the responsibilities that come with his power - that's what makes him a symbol of hope.

You sir, need a hair treatment.

Clearly, the Garfield-Stone pair up ousted Maguire-Dunst on so many levels. Their chemistry is way off the charts; though both are couple in real-life it still takes a lot of talents to appear inseparable on screen. Spidey promised Gwen's father seconds before his death that he would stay away from his daughter to keep her safe, yet their love for each other proves to be too powerful a magnet to defy. The guilt arose from there formed heart-wrenching romantic hurdles for the two and the plot could have made better use of that. But no, in between Peter has to deal with a mentally twisted son, dig deeper into his daddy's work and avoid getting zapped. Pfft.

All. My. Feels.

What I really love about Gwen Stacy is how much of a strong character she is. Compared to Dunst's Mary Jane, she is brave, intelligent, level-headed, strong-willed and holds her ground even in face of a zillion bolt of electricity. She has this powerful presence that can never be overlooked and though not bitten by any radioactive bug, she is quite a superhero.

Who doesn't want a girl that's better in science than you?

Needless to say, the rest of the casts are solid in performance. Dane DeHaan's take on a deranged Osborn descendant is astounding and undoubtedly the actor has got a path of strong career ahead of him. Though I don't sit well with the way his character was written, DeHaan actually makes it okay. Now that's something, considering the fact that Harry was shrunk down to just being another plot tool.

Inner feral unleashed!

If you're looking for a good blend of action and humour then I guarantee you won't be disappointed. I had some good laughs; kudos to the writers for keeping up with the spirit of its comic origin. Visual wise I got to say it's the best one yet in the franchise. The battle scenes involving Electro are just breathtakingly gorgeous, a feast for graphic-junkies. They're exactly how I imagined a fight between him and the wall-crawler should be and I'm utterly pleased. Oh the dubstep that plays in the background? Totally awesome.

Can't touch me! Dum dum.... dum dum dum!

Complains: Sadly, Marc Webb and the writers got too ambitious. Perhaps they thought they could succeed where Raimi fails, obviously ignorant of the fact that you can't have a plethora of good baddies without the ample room to first develop them individually. Each has a story of their own to tell and none of it seems cohesive with one another. The inconsistent pacing and tone are jarring; at one point it's all funny, next it's dead serious and then it gets emotional. We don't get to stay in one long enough to register our thoughts and after an hour or so it just gets too tedious to catch up.

So Pete, do you think I look good in green?

Like I mentioned earlier, I wasn't happy with Harry's role in this sequel. Not only that it is ridiculously underserved, but also the fact that his friendship with Peter feels empty. They haven't met in eight years, their initial reunion was full of awkward conversations and the two doesn't seem to give off that best-friend-vibe, even after a game of skipping stones. So was it a tragedy when Harry turns rogue on Peter? I don't quite think so. They barely knew each other already; maybe if they're given more time to re-establish what they had then the outcome would be different.

You're hideous in green, Harry!

Once you exit the cinema, ask yourself this: does Electro even need to be in this film? Much like Sandman in Spider-Man 3, he holds no significance in the story other than being the muscle for a larger malice. You did think that as the central antagonist, his character would be better fleshed out. Try taking Max Dillon off the equation and what do you get? Still the same nifty tale of a crime-fighter college freshman seeking to make things right with his sweetheart and long-lost buddy, all while unravelling the mystery surrounding his father. No matter how you look at it, Electro is a case of misplaced villain, an oddball that don't synergize well with other aspects of the narrative. Further character continuity and development for Electro would be nice, also with perhaps more insight to the reason behind his mental state and behavior. There's only so much that Jamie Foxx could do to impress.

I. AM. SPAARRRRRRRKLEEEEEES.

Fan of the ending, I am not. Such choppy execution is intolerable; the very notion that it seems hurried to bridge the film towards sequels featuring the Sinister Six not only deprived it of a satisfying conclusion but also paving in several plot holes. I would prefer the denouement to be a poignant reminder of the sacrifices Peter has to make, with proper resolution in coming instalments. And don't get me started on that Rhino...

Damn you Sony... damn you.

Rating: 7.3/10
Hit or Miss: Marginally better than the first, I enjoyed The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro for all it's worth - a fun movie to catch after a hard day's work or over the weekend. But to call it amazing is too far-fetched of a thought. Hit.

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