The summer movie season gets underway this weekend as The Amazing Spider-Man 2 hits cinemas, with anticipation high for this latest instalment of the superhero franchise.

Directed by Marc Webb, this eye-popping sequel continues the filmmaker's rebooted take on the young and quippy web-slinging hero Peter Parker/Spider-Man.

Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone return to reprise their roles as Parker and love interest Gwen Stacy.

Hollywood veteran Sally Field is also back as Aunt May, while newcomers to the series include Dane DeHaan as Harry Osborn/Green Goblin, Jamie Foxx as Max Dillon/Electro, Paul Giamatti as Aleksei Sytsevich/Rhino. Canadians Colm Feore and Sarah Gadon also appear in the new film.

At first glance, the film seems like the perfect summertime popcorn fare, but the story is bloated to the point of bursting, says CBC's Eli Glasner.

Watch Glasner's review of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in the attached video.