The Amazing Spiderman 2: Shock tactics

British actor Andrew Garfield is once again called upon to don the suit as Peter Parker. Emma Stone is his girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, and Sally Field is Parker’s adopted mother. Campbell Scott, whom we only see in the beginning when director Marc Webb unveils some of the background, is Peter’s scientist father, Richard, who provides an explanation as to why he was forced to disappear from his son’s life.

In a flashback, Parker records a video message in an attempt to explain himself before his disappearance. Along with Mary Parker (Embeth Davidtz), he boards a flight that is hijacked by a man sent to kill him. He thwarts the attempt on his life, but the pilot loses control of the plane.

There are two villains in this story. They are played by Jamie Foxx and Dane de Haan. Foxx is completely transformed from Max Dillon, a mild-mannered electrical engineer who works for Oscorp Industries (and who idolises SpiderMan), into electricity-oozing monster Electro, after an on-site accident involving electric eels.

De Haan plays Harry Osborn, an old friend of Peter and the son of Norman Osborn, Peter’s father’s boss. Sent away to boarding school around the same time Peter’s parents disappeared, Harry reconnects with Peter for the first time and eventually develops his own evil persona.

This version of SpiderMan serves as a sequel to the 2012 production and has upped the tempo, with more special effects and the demolition of Times Square as its centrepiece.

There is no lack of action here as friendships are tested, criminals are pursued and Peter and Gwen’s relationship is accelerated – despite the promise Peter made to Gwen’s late father that he’d not get involved with her.

The acting from the key characters is solid, without involving too much angst – with the energetic Garfield making a commanding SpiderMan.

This heady mix is adroitly directed by Marc Webb, who gives his characters plenty of room to move within a story canvas dominated by CGI sequences. Those who enjoy the added effects of 3D will not be disappointed: this production has been geared to fully capitalise on the format.

As another Marvel comic-book adaptation, this one should prove a worthy competitor to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which is also currently on circuit.