--- title: "The Amazing Spider-Man 2: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man-2/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man-2" critics_score: 55 critics_reviews: 22 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014): what the critics said Critics' score 55 from 22 reviews: 5 positive, 10 mixed, 7 negative. The reviews lean mixed rather than hostile: a handful of critics are won over, a larger group is lukewarm, and a sizeable minority is bored. Almost everyone agrees on where the film’s heart is. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are praised again and again for the ease and warmth of their scenes together, and several reviews say the romance is the only part of the film that works without strain. Garfield’s loose, physical Spider-Man and Dane DeHaan’s Harry Osborn also draw repeated approval, as do the web-swinging sequences. The complaints are just as consistent. Most critics find the script overstuffed, with too many villains, too much franchise groundwork and a running time the story cannot fill. The spread is wide: The Guardian finds it lively and charming, while The New Yorker dismisses it outright, mocking its confused priorities. Notably, even the warmest reviews concede the crowding, and Slant, among the sceptics, singles out the Osborn storyline as the one thing holding it together. ## The Guardian — Xan Brooks Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 9 April 2014. Brooks finds the sequel lively and charming enough to win over even a jaded viewer. He particularly praises Andrew Garfield’s casting and the endearingly amateur feel of Spider-Man’s crime-fighting. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/09/amazing-spiderman-2-review) ## Empire — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 18 December 2012. Newman finds this a satisfying, emotionally engaging sequel, despite some tonal awkwardness and overly broad gags. He particularly praises Emma Stone’s nuanced, active Gwen Stacy and the film’s emphasis on Spider-Man protecting bystanders. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/amazing-spider-man-2-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Leslie Felperin Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 8 April 2014. Felperin finds the sequel more emotionally satisfying than its predecessor, despite its crowded villains and subplots. She especially praises the fizzy chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, which gives the central romance its spark. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/amazing-spider-man-2-film-694460/) ## Variety — Guy Lodge Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 8 April 2014. Lodge finds the sequel redundant and overlong but ultimately enjoyable, carried by its sound and fury. He especially praises the playful chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, while noting Dane DeHaan’s performance as a reason to anticipate the next installment. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-the-amazing-spider-man-2-1201154134/) ## Screen Daily — Mark Adams Fi1m's normalised score 68/100 (inferred from the text). 9 April 2014. Adams calls it an enjoyable adventure romp, though it can feel unwieldy. The standfirst’s main reservation is the film’s lack of coherence and manageability. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/the-amazing-spider-man-2/5070552.article) ## The AV Club — A.A. Dowd Rating C+. 1 May 2014. Dowd finds the sequel overstuffed and uneven, with too many plots and villains crowding out the drama. He praises the energy of the action and the convincing romantic scenes between Garfield and Stone. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-amazing-spider-man-2-suffers-from-an-excess-of-plot-1798180312) ## Radio Times — Stella Papamichael Rating 3/5. The review is mixed, reflected in its three-out-of-five rating, and finds the sequel uneven. It singles out Dane DeHaan’s performance as Harry Osborn and Spider-Man’s Times Square encounter with Electro for praise. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-ljlgci/the-amazing-spiderman-2/) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 3/5. 14 April 2012. Huddleston gives the film 3/5, suggesting a qualified response. The available text singles out Spider-Man’s appeal as a relatable high-school outsider, but gives no specific assessment of the film’s execution. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-amazing-spider-man-2) ## Total Film — Emma Dibdin Rating 3/5. 9 April 2014. The review finds the sequel bright and likable despite tonal shifts and a clumsy, overstuffed script. It particularly praises the chemistry and performances of Garfield, Stone, and DeHaan. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-amazing-spider-man-2-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Chris Cabin Rating 2/4. 28 April 2014. Cabin finds the film overstuffed and unfocused, with its backstory and detours overwhelming the narrative. He singles out Harry and Norman Osborn’s storyline as the film’s primary saving grace. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-amazing-spider-man-2/) ## Little White Lies — Chris Blohm Rating 4/2/2. 15 April 2014. The review finds the film erratic, dull and poorly focused, with a threadbare narrative. It praises Marc Webb’s dynamic action sequences but says the script undermines his visual style. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-amazing-spider-man-2) ## Evening Standard — The Standard Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 18 April 2014. The critic finds the film too long and awkwardly divided between exciting action and tiresome romance. Garfield’s athletic, vulnerable portrayal is singled out as a strength. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-amazing-spiderman-2-movie-review-andrew-garfield-zips-around-like-a-true-superhero-9265351.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Betsy Sharkey Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 1 May 2014. Sharkey finds the sequel occasionally satisfying but ultimately weighed down by its tangled story and overabundance of villains. She praises Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, whose performances and romantic chemistry give the film its heart. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-amazing-spider-man-2-review-story.html) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 2 May 2014. Edelstein finds the film bloated and often boring, despite saying it hits its marks. He praises the vivid Electro effects and Emma Stone’s charm, while criticizing the convoluted, rhythmless plotting. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2014/05/movie-review-the-amazing-spider-man-2.html) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 27 April 2014. Lane delivers a sharply dismissive verdict, mocking the film’s confused priorities and overstuffed story. He particularly complains that its pileup of unsubtle villains blurs the story’s focus. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/05/05/trouble-calls) ## HeyUGuys — Stefan Pape Rating 4/5. 8 April 2014. The critic finds the sequel an entertaining, successful blockbuster, despite its weak structure and rushed ending. He praises the performances, especially the natural chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/the-amazing-spider-man-2-review/) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 8 April 2014. The URL identifies this as a review, but the page content is blocked. Its verdict and any specifically praised or criticized element cannot be verified. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-the-amazing-spider-man-2-starring-andrew-garfield-emma-stone-jamie-foxx-dane-dehaan-20140408/) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 3/5. 9 April 2014. Brew finds the film a welcome step forward, though its overloaded story leaves it frustrating and short of its potential. He praises the action and the strong chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-amazing-spider-man-2-review-3/) ## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 8 April 2014. The critic finds the sequel entertaining but uneven, weighed down by franchise setup and unresolved storylines. Garfield’s performance is singled out for holding the film together, while Stone’s chemistry with him helps compensate for thin writing. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a563365/the-amazing-spider-man-2-review-andrew-garfield-leads-uneven-sequel/) ## Paste — Michael Burgin Rating 4.6/10. 2 May 2014. Burgin finds the film a badly scripted, overstuffed disappointment that repeatedly sidelines Spider-Man. He praises the energetic web-swinging sequences and Garfield’s performance as Spider-Man, while faulting the plot and several exaggerated character portrayals. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-amazing/the-amazing-spider-man-2) ## Eye for Film — David Graham Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 26 May 2014. The critic finds the sequel overstuffed and too familiar, with its long runtime and crowded villains undermining it. They praise the adult relationship between Peter and Gwen, along with Emma Stone’s performance. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-amazing-spider-man-2-2014-film-review-by-david-graham) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 25 April 2014. The critic finds the sequel overstuffed and underwhelming, with corporate franchise setup crowding out coherent storytelling. Garfield and Stone’s warm, funny chemistry is a highlight, but it cannot compensate for the villains, clichés, and excessive climaxes. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/amazing-spider-man-2-review-stuffed-underwhelming/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man-2.md