"The Amazing Spider-Man 2" doesn't swing into theaters in the United States until May 2, but Sony's superhero sequel has already started screening abroad, ahead of its international release.

As such, reviews for Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone's second stab at the "Spider-Man" franchise have started trickling in. While some reviewers think director Marc Webb's new "Spider-Man" movie is superior to his first, others believe the "Amazing" sequel gets too tangled up in its own web.

Read on for reviews of "The Amazing Spider-Man 2":

The Story

"Andrew Garfield reprises the role of Peter Parker, who continues to don the blue and red spandex suit of Spider-Man and keep the residents of New York City safe. The one person he cares most about protecting is Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), though he becomes somewhat preoccupied when the social introvert Max Dillon (Jamie Foxx) gets caught up in an accident at Oscorp, attaining supernatural powers in the process and becoming the formidable adversary Electro. Though once a fervent admirer of Spider-Man's heroic work, he soon becomes a bitter enemy. Spider-Man must also contend with the reintroduction of his old and dear friend Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), who takes over at Oscorp, hoping to emulate his late father and use their advanced technological means to keep him alive." -- Stefan Pape, Hey U Guys

Eyes Off The Prize

"Peter and Gwen find themselves tangled up in relationship woes (Stone is wonderful again, but doesn't get nearly enough screen time), and running alongside this is a theme of abandonment among its three headline characters. Both Peter and Harry grapple with absent fathers, while Foxx's nerdy Oscorp employee Max Dillon is perennially ignored until an accident turns him into a supervillain. Webb's eye lies mainly on this trio at the expense of Peter and Gwen, but thankfully Garfield and Stone's chemistry is enough to paper over these cracks in the screenplay." -- Simon Reynolds, Digital Spy

Love Conquers All

"All the electricity Webb needs is right before him, in the continued perfect match of his leads. Andrew Garfield's killer timing is the least of his ideal Spidey qualities -- he remains a rare combination of funny, sexy and awkwardly charming, nailing every part of Peter Parker's clear agenda to be the coolest superhero ever. He could hardly do better than Emma Stone as his dream soulmate -- she's button-cute and smart enough to steal his heart. Peter and Gwen know they should break up, and keep trying to, but you can't pretend away chemistry like theirs -- it's an atomic fact. They light the film up with a sparkle and sadness it couldn't live without." -- Tim Robey, The Daily Telegraph

Swing Low

"It's a film of many scenes, but not much structure, of many events, but no real plot. And worst of all, it's not really about anything. Previous 'Spider-Man' films had a singular journey at their heart, even when Sam Raimi's movies were at their worst, but it's unclear what Webb is trying to say here. The various villains and side characters don't add up to anything thematically coherent, beyond 'these guys will look cool as toys.'" -- Oliver Lyttelton, The Playlist

The Final Word

"2012's 'The Amazing Spider-Man' has its passionate defenders, and accumulated an unassailable $750 million box-office haul, but it sure took its sweet time gluing the radial spokes of its web into place. Now that effort pays off with its sequel, a more intricately woven skein of action, effects, character development and cheesy one-liners. The eponymous hero hits his super-heroic stride here, as does Andrew Garfield in the role, especially when Spider-Man's alter ego Peter Parker learns there's always some fine print in a contract with this many benefits. The plot gets itself tangled up in multiple villain strands, but in the main, this installment is emotionally weightier and more satisfying than its predecessor." -- Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter

"The Amazing Spider-Man 2" opens in the U.S. on May 2.

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