"a spectacular sight, from start to finish it keeps you gripped and engaged in the world of the wall crawler"

Following on from the success of The Amazing Spider-Man, any pre-established apprehensions towards this trilogy have turned to expectation. That's not to say there weren't still doubters, those who believe that it will be an over-crowded mess with the inclusion of too many villains. However even they can be reassured, as the the creative team, led by director Marc Webb, have done a more than remarkable job in this instance. If anything, this film has done what many sequels fail to do: surpass the initial offering.

We are reintroduced to Richard and Mary Parker (Campbell Scott and Embeth Davidtz, respectively) as they try to flee on a plane, cue the first of many astonishing set pieces in the film. Fast forward to the present day and Peter Parker's Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield) is in action trying to foil the robbery of an armoured truck by Aleksei Sytsevich (a brilliant, if modest performance by Paul Giamatti), all the while being late for graduation. However he still has time to save all of the canisters, whist also saving a school bus and an unsuspecting Max Dillon (Jamie Foxx) from Aleksei's collateral damage.

Of course Peter manages to make it to graduation on time, and this is where the emotional heart of the film starts; with the lovely Gwen (played once again by the fantastic Emma Stone). Eventually we meet Peter's oldest friend Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), and from thereon the plot begins to weave a web as he confronts his dad - Norman (Chris Cooper) on his death bed. The plot thickens when Peter discovers more of his father's past, and things start to get electrifying with the emergence of Electro, the master of electricity, spawned from the introverted Max Dillon. Foxx transforms in quite an incredible fashion, and it's one matched by DeHaan, whose character goes through something of a change himself.

Meanwhile, Garfield has certainly come into his own with the duel roles of Peter Parker and Spider-Man, building on what we loved with the first one and even keeping his keen scientific mind. He's funnier too and that rapier wit just keeps on coming, notably when he's with the bad guys or Aunt May, played by Sally Fields. The actress heads a supporting cast of Felicity Jones, Colm Feore, Marton Csokas and B.J. Novak, all great in their respective roles. It's a shame to see Jones in such a insignificant role, but fingers crossed it's one that will be fleshed out and explored in the third and final film in Webb's trilogy.

The 3D is also utilised brilliantly making stunning use of the technology and better use of the POV shots that are from Spider-Man's gaze. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a spectacular sight, from start to finish it keeps you gripped and engaged in the world of the wall crawler, with a third outing on the way, it's incredibly exciting to see where they go from here, and what with the spin-offs with the villains, it's going to be an intricate and interesting universe.