Sony's second instalment in its revamped Amazing Spider-Man series had a whole lot of problems. Though it made a profit, critics weren't too kind towards its sloppy, overindulgent narrative that seemed more focused on setting up future sequels and spin-offs than it did in telling a tighter, self-contained story. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gg9pGooLcM For the sake of this article, however, we'll leave the film's pros and cons aside and focus in on its generally agreed-upon shining moment: the death of Gwen Stacy. Being included in the first film, it seemed logical to many fans with knowledge of Spider-Man's comic history that her and Peter's story wouldn't be destined for a happy ending; when we got our first look at Emma Stone in Gwen's iconic final clothes during the film's production and marketing, it was a lock. When she finally drops to her death in the film, it's easy to forget for a moment the messy journey leading up to it. For many film-only fans, the moment is an undeniable, unexpected and unconventional shocker, offing one-half of the series' star draws with a deafening crack. For others who knew it was coming, the scene is still surprisingly effective in how respectfully it treats the importance of and weight behind her death in the moment. While the response to the sequel may have caused Sony to rethink their plans for the web-head's future, their willingness to embrace Gwen Stacy's fate at the risk of losing Emma Stone is notable and stands as one of two great non-MCU Marvel moments on this list.
Writer, film enthusiast, part-time gamer and watcher of (mostly) good television located on the fringe of Los Angeles, who now has his own website at www.highdefgeoff.com!
