Movies often focus on appealing to their viewers, but there is a thin line between keeping them on the edge of their seat and overwhelming with a thick plot line. 

Compared to the first “Spider-Man” series, directed by Sam Raimi starring Tobey Maguire and Kristin Dunst, “The Amazing Spider-Man” series is a step up in many ways: visual effects, engaging actors and sound effects that make one feel aware of the movie’s mood and tone.

However, one way that Marc Webb’s sequel, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” differs from Raimi’s series is the simplicity of its storyline. 

From the start of the movie, there are intense action scenes that immediately draw people in. Starting the movie similarly to its prequel, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” starts with Peter Parker’s (Andrew Garfield) parents and their destiny after leaving Parker behind. 

The movie then draws into the life of Spider-Man fighting crime on the streets of New York just moments before he attends an important event. Garfield’s playful acting made him a perfect fit to play a rebellious, charming and witty Peter Parker. 

Though the movie has a great cast, it became confusing at times because of its overloaded plot line. The twisted plot went from Parker’s love life, to his family life and from his best friend’s problems to his newest enemy. One would miss a lot just by making a trip to the restroom during the movie, which is probable due to the extensive length. 

The movie was a constant battle between Parker and Gwen Stacy’s (Emma Stone) relationship where they fought about whether they should be together or not. 

Parker is conflicted about dating Gwen while he is Spider-Man because he previously promised her father that he would not date her at the end of the first movie in the series. Parker begins to see Gwen’s father, due to his confliction, which sparks fighting between Peter and Gwen. 

Even though they spent half of the movie fighting, their relationship added an intimate and romantic feel to the movie. The actors’ chemistry kept the story alive and added a cheesy feel to the movie. 

When the movie was not focused on their relationship, it switched between the other plot lines. 

Parker reaches out to discover what his father was working on before he left so he could learn and accept why they had to leave. This ties together the beginning scenes with Parkers’ parents because he also tries to repair his relationship with his Aunt May (Sally Field). 

Spider-Man saved a man named Max Dillon (Jamie Foxx) while he was fighting crime. Dillon, ironically obsessed with Spider-Man, worked at OsCorp Headquarters, which is the corporation Peter’s father worked at. In a freak accident at work, Dillon emerged as Spider-Man’s new enemy. 

Dillon had issues coming to terms with his new powers. He found it difficult fitting into the city as a villain and sought out to blame Spider-Man. His villain name is Electro and he has electric powers allowing him to transport through air and electrical outlets. 

While the sound effects that came from Electro’s electric charge were well developed and definitely impressive, they were used a lot throughout the movie.

This gave a dubstep effect to the movie that made the noise slightly overwhelming and ultimately overused. Spider-Man even joked about the sounds in the movie during one of the battle scenes. 

In the midst of it all, Parker’s childhood best friend Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), son of the owner of OsCorp, returns home to take over OsCorp after his father’s death. After Osborn learns about his destiny, he searches for a way to cure himself and asks for Peter’s help. 

The movie had enough action to keep one interested, but perhaps too heavy of a plot line. The movie was lengthy and could have used adjustment in the way it was planned.

The plot was unfocused and there were too many characters to keep track of. It would have been better if they had removed a conflict or two. 

Just when one thought the movie was going to end, it kept going. And just when the movie ended, one thought there would be more. 

If people can get past the movie’s length and plot line, it is definitely an enjoyable, action packed movie that will keep one laughing, smiling and even crying. 

Leaving viewers at a cliffhanger ending, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” was a surprising movie full of action and romance.