Whatever anybody says about The Amazing Spider-Man 2, there's no doubting the fact that - for the sum of its parts - it's content to be a fun ride. This is made obvious by the dynamic action scenes, the constant banter between characters, and the wise-cracking nature of the movie's titular hero. That's not to say that there aren't quieter, more reflective moments on show, but The Dark Knight Rises it ain't. In this regard, the film almost seems to be taking its cues from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with its increasing emphasise on gags. So there are funny in-jokes to be had here (Peter whistles the iconic Spider-Man theme at one point, just to let you know that the movie's intentions are light-hearted), goofy moments, and a sense that the director - all in all - doesn't want to play things too seriously. Sure, compared to the more noticeably cynical first installment, this chapter feels far less consequential on the whole (well, until the ending, that is), happy to exist as adrenaline-fueled entertainment... but is that such a bad thing? Sometimes it's nice to just sit back and enjoy the ride. That said, there's very nearly the feeling that The Amazing Spider-Man is actually a quirky romantic comedy disguised as a superhero flick - some might even say, going by the ace performances from our leading couple, that such a movie would have even been preferable.
