Audiences were packed into the movie theatre in 2012 to learn the fate of Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man. They left with the death of Gwen Stacy’s father, Captain Stacy, and a promise from Peter Parker to Captain Stacy to stay away from Gwen. Since then, we’ve been intrigued to see where this story would lead.

Peter Parker, actually Spider-Man, and Gwen Stacy start the audience on their journey in a familiar place of romance. Andrew Garfield and his on-and-off screen girlfriend, Emma Stone who plays Gwen Stacy, bring an evident and genuine chemistry that has the audience head over heels.

In the sequel, flashbacks serve as reminders to the disappearance and death of Parker’s parents and the situation he grew up in. The audience is thrown right back into the story with the same love for the characters from the first movie.

While the Spider-Man appearances increase, a controversy of whether or not Spider-Man is helping the city unfolds, because Spidey just doesn’t have enough to worry about.

When the plot switches to the story of Electro, the villain of the sequel, the movie sends out an important message. Electro, played by Jamie Foxx, starts off as a vulnerable employee at Oscorp named Max Dillon. Dillon refers to himself as invisible, and is constantly pushed around in the busy streets of New York. Because this poor treatment eventually leads Dillon to turn evil, we are reminded to stand up for those who are picked on.

As Spider-Man soars across the skyline of New York City, I felt as if I was flying right behind him. With each explosion and fight, I watched with terror as if I was right next to the action.

As much as this movie moved me, I felt it did have some flaws. Considering the movie has multiple storylines going on at one time, they seem to lack fluent transitions between them. Although the multiple story lines connect by the end, I feel as if smoother transitions could have contributed to a better understanding of the plot throughout the movie.

Overall, I would not only recommend this movie, but I would watch it again. It leaves me wondering what the direction of the next movie in the saga will be, and I am anxious to go back to the theater to follow Peter Parker in 2016.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 sends the audience on a whirlwind of emotion that leaves you feeling inspired and looking forward to brighter days. Although struck with tragedy, Parker is able to pick himself up to be a beacon of hope for not only the city of New York, but for the entire audience.