Robert Kirkman, the acclaimed creator behind the comic book series "Invincible" and "The Walking Dead," recently offered a rare and direct critique of "The Amazing Spider-Man 2." Kirkman described the film itself as "a mess" but simultaneously praised Andrew Garfield's portrayal of Spider-Man.
During an appearance on "The Escape Pod" podcast, Kirkman stated that he typically avoids publicly sharing negative opinions about films. However, he admitted his significant disappointment with "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," elaborating:
"Andrew Garfield is a great Spider-Man. There are some really great things in both of those movies, but that movie was a mess." He also noted that while he liked Jamie Foxx and Garfield, their performances did not alter his assessment of the final film's quality.
Released in 2014, "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" saw Peter Parker grappling with Electro, the Rhino, and a conspiracy tied to Oscorp, all while investigating his parents' past and navigating his relationship with Gwen Stacy. The film's numerous plotlines often drew criticism for its overcrowded narrative upon release, ultimately failing to successfully launch Sony's planned Spider-Man universe.
Garfield himself has previously hinted that the film could have taken a different shape. In a 2014 interview, he revealed that he had filmed many scenes exploring Peter's struggles as an orphan and his emotional depth, but some of that content was ultimately cut. This resulted in the theatrical release differing from the script he initially read. Garfield expressed pride in much of the filmed material, though he was somewhat surprised by the public's reaction.
Despite "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" not being a box office failure, the series concluded prematurely. The Spider-Man character later transitioned into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Tom Holland taking over the role. Nevertheless, Garfield made a celebrated return in "Spider-Man: No Way Home," appearing alongside Holland and Tobey Maguire, which led many viewers to re-evaluate and appreciate his rendition of the hero.