Review Detail

Note: I haven't watched this user's edit of TASM1.

The idea of starting the movie with the unused Harry theme from the soundtrack is perfect, as it immediately centers the narrative around him, while Electro becomes more secondary (which I'm not going to complain about). Now, the movie begins and ends with Harry, aside from the epilogue (that the editor thankfully kept in). Of course, the score also sets the tone and accompanies the best change of this edit. The watch shot is repurposed and works well enough (it deserved a few contextual frames of Harry looking at his watch, but you know, we can't really make complete new scenes), The first line (said by Richard in his recording) is a clean way of opening the movie and setting the main theme even more directly than in the official release. It seems random when watched without having seen the edit of the first movie, but I knew that this whole plot had been relegated to it, so it works perfectly as a call-back. Norman's new lines are very well-made and while you definitely notice it's an edit, they still serve their purpose and don't detract from the scene, quite the contrary. It's a very minor story adjustment, but it does make it more believable that Harry'd go to such extremes.

The months inserts are mostly intrusive, but the first one (transitioning from the opening Harry scene to Spidey swinging in the air) is at least excusable, though unnecessary in my eyes (and the font feels a bit too on the nose, but I don't know what I would have picked). The one usage of the title card I find tasteful is "July", just after Gwen's breakup, as it's on the left of the screen and thus feels almost intentional by the filmmakers--it fits nicely! But the rest is unneeded (and just having "July" as a single title card would be awkward, naturally) and the passage of time is adequately shown by how the characters dress and Peter's cold. I think a better way to integrate those title cards would have been to integrate them better in the environment--for example, having a title card disappear as Spidey swings in front of it, or in the background. As it is, the idea detracts from the fast-paced montage.

The added Flash scene is nice!

The Max Apartment scene is nicely done. I think Max's imaginary outburst at his mother is a bit too far, but the scene is still good and definitely adds depth to Max. I think the editor also cut some tidbits of the scene and it works wonderfully.

The mortician deleted scene is great, but I think the music choice is just wrong. I recall it already being included in the scene, though, isn't it? I feel like the mortician would listen to an actual song instead of something that obviously sounds like it came from the score. I do appreciate the fact that the scene itself gives more of a connective tissue to The Man In a Black Suit. Likewise, I appreciate that you included Felicia welcoming Peter to Oscorp, it's a smart decision.

Keeping the Youtube video is also very much appreciated, the complaints about it make no sense. I do wish the editor had also kept the apparently much-disliked No Chimney scene. Lighthearted scenes in a movie packed (and intense!) liked this one are welcome.

The scene where Peter and Gwen yearn after each other in their room is a great addition and helps the sometimes breakneck pacing of this edit.

However, I do have trouble with the inclusion of the Gwen Acceptance scene. It's a nice addition, but it's redundant, and it doesn't work well in the current edit, as it's just after she goes to see the chairman, making it seem as though no time has passed. I think starting with shots of Peter on the roof and then showing Gwen and the chairman would have worked better, or put a scene in between (but it's a very busy movie and the scene is good already).

One problem of removing the Roosevelt subplot, I find, is that it also served to slow down the pacing as well as complementing the scene where Harry frees Electro from Ravencroft--it was a big moment in the official movie, both emotionally and scenaristically climactic. Here, it's great that Harry goes there just after having been fired, it makes narrative sense, but I find it is lacking in emotion.

The inclusion of Oscorp's massacre and Felicia's last scene with Harry is a great idea (helping make this storyline a core of the movie) but it's an awkward transition, especially as it ends and goes to the second part of the Electro fight. It feels out of place, and I think it could have been placed just before the Green Goblin actually appears. Another possibility would have been just after the preceding Harry scenes, but then you'd spend a big chunk of the climax just waiting to see if Harry's going to do something.
...Well, as it is, that's essentially what happens in the OG movie. Maybe that would have been the best compromise. But my issue mostly resides with the audio cues really not fitting well. I'm talking about the Goblin's theme progressing throughout the scene, then the movie cutting back to Electro not being defeated yet. It's abrupt and needed more finesse.

I appreciate the editor cutting most of the Sinister Six set-up.

Overall, this is all mostly nitpicking. I thoroughly enjoyed this edit. It's not perfect, but with the available material (+ the excellent addition of new Norman lines!), I'd say it's amazing. Once again, I particularly enjoy the opening minutes. Didn't expect the opening to change so much of the movie's feel.