I’ll start with this: outside of animations, this is, without a doubt, the best Spiderman film ever. It isn’t the best at any one aspect, but as a whole, the sum of its parts adds up to the best. Though still not reaching the upper-echelon of comic book films, it firmly asserts itself into that respectable second tier.

With one of the best villains–with no regard to their printed counter-parts, simply judging by on-screen quality–and some of the best cinematography in the entire Marvel-verse, the film pleasantly surprises.

It almost overdoes the teenage angst, but, painful as it is to admit, even those sections are reasonably well done with nothing that rolls the eyes too bad.

It gives screen time to the whole cast at the proper moments, shows the first threats and worldview following “The Blip,” contains good action, and, most importantly (and what Marvel so often neglects), introduces a great villain.

Though ultimately little more than filler material, it is well-made and fun filler.