You are here:

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Name: The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Director: Marc Webb
Released: 2014
Duration: 141 min

Representation Score

4.4/10

Fair

2014

PG-13

Director

Marc Webb

Runtime

141 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film follows traditional superhero genre conventions, limiting its impact on progressive representation. While it presents an intelligent female lead and critiques corporate ethics, these elements are overshadowed by a lack of diverse casting and reliance on conventional clichés. The narrative heavily depends on established romantic and tragic clichés. The central characters reflect a homogeneous demographic, and the depiction of disability serves mainly as a plot device for villainy, rather than a nuanced exploration of lived experiences.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Amazing Spider-Man 2 have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. It focuses solely on heterosexual relationships, such as the central romance between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy.

How does The Amazing Spider-Man 2 portray gender?

Fair

Gwen Stacy is portrayed as an intelligent and proactive character. However, her role is closely tied to her romantic relationship, reinforcing traditional damsel-in-distress clichés.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Amazing Spider-Man 2?

Limited

The cast is predominantly white, with few characters representing diverse racial backgrounds. Despite being set in New York, the main characters and antagonists are mostly depicted as Anglo-Saxon.

How does The Amazing Spider-Man 2 represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative criticizes corporate misconduct through Oscorp's actions. Electro is portrayed as a victim of systemic neglect, adding a layer of sympathy to the antagonist.

Does The Amazing Spider-Man 2 include disability representation?

Fair

The film deals with terminal illness through Harry Osborn’s degenerative condition. This portrayal leans towards the 'tragic victim' cliché, using illness as a catalyst for villainous behavior.

Present on Screen

Gwen Stacy is portrayed as an intelligent and proactive character in the story.
The film provides a nuanced critique of corporate ethics and unchecked capitalism through Oscorp.
Electro is given sympathetic complexity as a victim of systemic neglect.

Limited or Absent

The central cast lacks racial and ethnic diversity, adhering to conventional Anglo-Saxon casting norms.
The narrative relies on traditional 'damsel' clichés and conventional romantic structures.
Disability is depicted through the 'tragic victim' cliché rather than exploring ability to act or lived experience.

Official Synopsis

For Peter Parker, life is busy. Between taking out the bad guys as Spider-Man and spending time with the person he loves, Gwen Stacy, high school graduation cannot come quickly enough. Peter has not forgotten about the promise he made to Gwen’s father to protect her by staying away, but that is a promise he cannot keep. Things will change for Peter when a new villain, Electro, emerges, an old friend, Harry Osborn, returns, and Peter uncovers new clues about his past.

How are these scores produced? →