REVIEW | The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (in 4DX Cinema)

The 2012 unexpected reboot of the Spider-Man trilogy was imposed upon us, therefore they owe us a great remake. Marc Webb's first ever The Amazing-Spider Man, with Andrew Garfield as the webslinger, was competent and well-received with its distinctly more personal and intimate approach to the mythology.

But then came Part 2 in 2014, which dramatically changed in tone and approach; from its serious, intelligent predecessor, the second part has suddenly become a kiddie movie, lacking in depth and emotional engagement. The movie feels panicky and self-conscious, desperate to please and impress by cramming as many stories and as many action-packed sequences into its lengthy 2.5-hour running time.

In Part 2, Peter Parker receives more insight into his parents' disappearance, gets torn inside by his complicated relationship with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), and faces a trio of OsCorp-produced villains, played by Dane De Haan, Jamie Foxx, and Paul Giamatti, as part of his crime-fighting public service.

Only the short-screened De Haan as the Green Goblin can elicit a sense of threat in this movie, yet De Haan is even too intense of an actor to play a shallowly developed villain, and his presence is almost off; you want him plucked out of this movie and transferred to a movie with a more rich and substantial plot.

Jamie Foxx, as the clingy human electrical generator, gives Max Dillon a solid character but ends up as nothing more but a visually pretty Electro. Paul Giamatti was relegated into a sad, Russian, last-minute villain.

The movie's climax, though, ends tragically; a heart-stopping, beautifully captured sequence that evokes all kinds of emotions. A split-second act of jaw-dropping, eye-popping conclusion, proving that even great heroes cannot always save the day. Without this last act, Part 2 would have been empty.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2, with all its frills, extravagant visual display, and flawless CGI super effects, feels emotionally inadequate and out of control. A superhero movie that clings into superficial entertainment elements that it sadly forgets that great stories depend on an emotionally rich and smooth narrative.

If you're a Spider-Man fan or a superhero-wannabe kid, go see it, as it is understandably an essential need for your psyche. For non-fans, no need. And if you're planning to see it in 4DX cinema, I highly recommend it.

2.5 out of 5 stars

Opens April 30, 2014 in Philippine cinemas

Photo credits: Columbia Pictures 

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4DX CINEMA EXPERIENCE
Watching The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Bonifacio High Street last April 30, 2014, opened its doors to the first-ever 4DX cinema in the country. Here's a glimpse of what 4DX is:

Elements of the 4D Cinema (*asterisk = the elements used for the Spider-Man movie):

-Seat motion and vibration*

-Jets of air or water* (air only)

-Mist 

-Wind*

-Strobe lighting*

-Fog or smoke

-Aromatic vapours from a collection of 1000 scents (probably ranging from smell of flowers to stench of garbage, -depending on the scene)

-Bubbles

(List source: www.Yugatech.com)

My 4DX cinema experience was a joy. It did not feel like a ridiculous amusement park ride as I expected.  The seat motions were subtle, not at all distracting you from the movie, but truly enhancing your experience of movie immersion. 

With your seat tilting to all sides and vibrating, you'd feel like flying side by side with Spider-Man, with the wind in your face. You'll also feel in your body every crash and collision, as well as sensations of falling, rising, and flying.

The only complaint is the unnecessary seat vibration when lights are switched on in the movie. Eh?

My favorite was definitely the plane scene, where you will experience 4DX at its best.

4DX cinema experience will be worth your P450. Definitely a thrill. Warning: with action-packed movies, once you go 4DX, you can never go back. 

4DX cinema = 4.5 out of 5 stars