Invincible Creator Torches One Spider-Man Sequel As A Total Dud
Invincible creator Robert Kirkman isn’t mincing words, blasting one Spider-Man sequel as dogsh*t while conceding only a few bright spots in an otherwise weak outing.
So, in the ever-expanding universe of people taking shots at Spider-Man movies, we've now got Robert Kirkman, creator of 'Invincible,' tossing his two cents in. And let's just say, he's not exactly issuing a gentle critique when it comes to 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2.'
Kirkman Does Not Hold Back
Kirkman, who's usually not the type to go public with movie hot takes, recently stopped by 'The Escape Pod' podcast. When the conversation turned to Spidey's cinematic history, Kirkman cut right to the chase. In his words, 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is dogs—.' (No, he didn't elaborate, and yes, you can fill in the blank.)
Even so, he's not crushing the entire cast and crew. Kirkman gave a little credit where it's due, calling Andrew Garfield's run as Peter Parker solid and Jamie Foxx's Electro a plus—though clearly not enough to salvage the rest. He also admitted that both 'The Amazing Spider-Man' and its sequel had some 'spectacular' moments. But when it comes to the 2014 sequel's storytelling? He's got no time for it: 'It’s a mess.'
Why the Hate? Well, He’s Not Alone
To be fair, Kirkman might be saying what a lot of people thought back in 2014. Critics were less than kind. There were complaints about the plot being all over the place and the movie bouncing between tones like it couldn't pick a lane. Josh Wilding at ComicBookMovie didn't pull any punches either, calling it the 'Batman & Robin' of the Spider-Man universe (yeah, that Batman & Robin—the neon, ice-pun disaster one). He specifically mentioned things like a cringey Spider-Man ringtone moment and the absolute fever dream that is Electro fighting Spider-Man to 'Incy Wincy Spider.' Yikes.
Money Talks, But Not Loud Enough
- 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' brought in $716.9 million worldwide, which sounds great until you realize sequels were immediately scrapped anyway. Ouch.
- Sony and Marvel eventually hashed out a deal, handing Spider-Man's next big appearance to Tom Holland, now firmly planted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In retrospect, this was probably a smart business call.
- 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' has technically outlived its critical reputation—it's currently streaming over on Disney+, if you're up for some self-induced frustration or just want to see what the fuss is about.
Kirkman’s blunt review just adds another voice to the ongoing debate about where this movie sits in the Spider-Man hall of fame (or shame). But hey, at least it gave us more Marvel crossover, so maybe we can call it a win in the long run?