Bad guys, fighting scenes, a cute superhero and young love are just some of the things that makes “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” great for a movie night with friends. It is a fun movie that is definitely worth seeing as it is fun to watch and the ending will take you by surprise with its unexpected twist.

As a fan of the Spider Man series, starring Tobey Maguire, I had some concerns when I heard about a new adaptation of the movies in 2012. Tobey Maguire was a great choice for that role, so imagining someone else play Spider Man was sad. However, once I saw “The Amazing Spider-Man,” I instantly loved the new Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) as well as Gwen Stacey (Emma Stone). Garfield was a perfect fit for the role with his initial shyness and later more extroverted personality that emerged as he put on the spider suit. Since I was so happy with the first movie, when I heard about “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” I knew I had to see it.

In theaters now, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” portrays Parker’s struggle with pursuing his love interest, Stacey, figuring out the back story of his parent’s leaving him as a child and, of course, stopping the criminals of New York. Parker and Stacey fell in love in the first movie, but in the new movie, his protectiveness of her leads to a tense relationship. Since Parker is Spider Man, Stacey would be a target for his enemies, and he does not want to be responsible for anything that could happen to her.

In the new movie, Spider Man is soaring through New York City, trying to catch yet another criminal when he saves the life of Max Dillon (Jamie Foxx) by pulling him out of the way of a moving vehicle. Dillon is very excited that someone notices him, later becoming obsessed with Spider Man. When Dillon is trying to fix a leak for his company, Oscorp, he falls into a tub of electric eels, transforming him into Electro, a man who gains the ability to control electricity. As Electro tries to become accustomed to his new powers, he develops a dislike for Spider Man, who he thinks is trying to hurt him.

Another enemy of Spider Man arises from Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan). Osborn and Parker were friends when they were younger, but Osborn was sent to boarding school before Parker became Spider Man. When Osborn comes back to take over his father’s multibillion-dollar company, Oscorp after his death, they rekindle their friendship. Upon realizing that he has a deadly genetic disease, Osborn decides he must figure out how to survive. When Spider Man refuses to help Osborn live, Osborn becomes angry with him and decides to take revenge. Through dangerously inserting spider venom into his blood, Osborn is able to live as he becomes the Green Goblin and tries to destroy Spider Man.

While the plot is entertaining, Osborn’s part seems unimportant toward the story. It is interesting that the writers brought in a friend from Parker’s past, but once Osborn becomes evil, his role just seems like an unnecessary twist to the plot. The Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) from the original Maguire series, had a better back story that set him up for the plot. Osborn’s transformation into an evil villain seems thrown together with not much thought behind it.

The cinematography, by Daniel Mindel, is one of the most enjoyable parts of the movie. In the beginning of the film, Spider Man is going around over the city, flying back and forth. The way it was filmed makes it feel like the audience is flying through the city with him. Not only is it fun to watch, but it also lets the audience be a part of the action.

Despite the problem I had with Osborn’s character, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would suggest that people see “The Amazing Spider-Man 2”. The great battle scenes and Spider Man flying around keep audiences stuck to their seats, while the adorable love story between Stacey and Parker pull at the audience’s hearts, especially at the end.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

2 hours 22 minutes

Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action/violence

Directed by Marc Webb

With Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx