There isn't as much going on as you think, BatDetective. TDK had a lot going on as well and was very well-written. It probably had more going on than TASM2, but we'll see.
Most of the things you list overlap or tie in together, so its not like there is a number of separate plot lines that have to be shoved in together to make a movie. Spider-Man 3's problem was that it had a number of different stories that didn't meld together: Sandman, Harry's revenge, Peter/MJ relationship, the symbiote/Venom, and so on. There was no central story to that film, which was the main issue here.
With TASM2, everything seems to fit together by a puzzle piece. Let's analyze this:
1. Introduction
What do you mean by introduction? How long does it take to introduce a movie? Chances are the intro will contain the plane crash scene, followed by an introduction to Spider-Man (which is most likely the chase sequence that will include Aleksei, so there is your Rhino intro).
I agree with that.
2. You need to develop the Peter-Gwen relationship
You mean further develop it. This is a sequel, so the relationship has been established and somewhat developed already. Half the job is done.
Common mistake but no. The setting is there, yes, so you don't have to create the ''origin''. But you have to build the relationship into a new level. It does take time to make you feel like the connection between those is rising to a higher level. We need to feel like the bond is growing.
3. You need to introduce Harry Osborn
This is key, but also intertwines with the introduction of Norman Osborn, Peter being told about being spied on, and more about his parents.
Introduction doesn't equal interactions. I wanna see Harry coming to New York and getting acquinted with Peter and possibly his relatives. Everything you've mentionned comes later.
4. You need to introduce Maxwell
This intertwines with the opening chase sequence of the movie.
Possibly, but not certain. We need to know who Maxwell is, what he is doing, what kind of relationship he has with others around him.
5. You need to introduce Rhino
As said earlier, being introduced in the introduction.
Well ok, but then what? Does he come back? If he does, you need more screentime than just the intro.
6. You need to *create* Electro
7. You need to *create* The Goblin
Okay, how long are transformations scenes? Barely a few minutes probably.
Minutes matter. They really do. And it's not only about the transformation, but about the context of how it's happening. For example, you set the scene that Maxwell becomes Electro. The accident happens, good. Say 5 minutes.
BUT! He doesn't become the villain YET. We need to know what's going on in his head. We need to know WHY he has decided to turn evil (overlaps with reason as to why he hates Spidey)
Also, after a such accident, Maxwell will likely be taken to hospital or Oscorp so he will learn about his powers. A bit like Doc Ock in Spidey 2.
8. Harry must have a REASON to dislike Peter/kidnap Gwen
That won't be very hard to establish. He probably wants to capture Spider-Man and get something from him, perhaps for research to save his father.
You think so? While I agree with your theory of wanting to save his father, I don't think the rest works. They are supposed to be friends in the first place. They will ''break-up'' at some point, that's for sure. But Harry will have to figure out that Peter Parker IS Spider-Man.
9. Electro needs a REASON to dislike Spider-Man
Yup. He certainly does.
10. You need cool action scenes so people don't die of boredom
We are getting 3-4 action scenes tops, and they don't take up more than 5 minutes each.
Correct but here's one thing: if you do get 3-4 action scenes, multiply it by 5 (minutes) and you get around 20 minutes. That 1/3 of a whole hour. Think about it.
11. You need to find out some things about Peter's past
12. You need to figure out about the whole spying thing
This overlaps with the Harry Osborn scenes.
I'm fine with it. But don't forget about Harry and Felicity Jones.
13. You need to give Aunt May some screentime
She will get it, but how much screen time does she need? 15 minutes overall?
I feel she will get less than 15 minutes. However, if she gets a mere 5 minutes, it does add up to everything else. Every minute counts.
14. You need to learn what Norman's role/motives is/are about
We pretty much learned his motives in the first film, and we'll expand on them some more.
You're half-right. We have a vague idea of what he's up to, but we need to have clearer answers.
15. You need to add that graduating scene
Well if you are just going to start listing specific scenes, of course its going to sound cluttered. How long is a graduation scene? Under 5 minutes probably… not even.
As mentionned before, 5 minutes really matter. You don't add scenes for the sake of adding scenes. Screenwriter's law: Cut the useless crap.
If the scene is there, there's a purpose. It's the trigger of something.
16. Uncle Ben/George Stacy must have at least one scene
George Stacy's scene is the graduation scene. Uncle Ben might show up, but it would be very quick if at all.
I'm ok about it. But it also implies that George will talk to an another character, as a ghost. Thus, the graduation scene might last longer than you think. Next, I would assume that if we get to see George at the beginning, we will see him at the ending. We need to know how his perception has evolved after the events of the movie.
17. You need to develop a relationship between Peter and Harry
Redundant addition to your list.
It's not. In the official synopsis, they say they are friends. I want to know WHY they are friends, how did they know each other. I want CONTEXT. And I wanna see that relationship go wrong because of something. It needs tension, it needs drama, it will take a good while to do the following
-Introducing a friend
-Getting to know what their relationship is about
-The problem occurs
-''Friendship breakup''
-In the end, are they still enemies, or back as friends?
18. You need one (or a few) surprise/twist
I'm sure there will be one or two.
At least, we agree on that.
19. You need to know what are Oscorp's motives
They're trying to cure Norman Osborn.
That's right, but what does it have to do with Peter? And what is the connection between the creation of Super-Villains and Oscorp. They're behind the creation of Rhino and Electro... because they're trying to cure Norman?? Doesn't compute.
20. You need a final battle
You already mentioned fight scenes.
Fight scenes and final battle are VERY DIFFERENT. They are much longer and they often determine the destiny of characters. For example, in the Final Battle, you might have to overlap Harry's death. A final battle is an easy 15 minutes.
21. You need a conclusion
…. Yes, the movie needs to end.
That's a fact, but we need to know what happened to EVERY character. This can be done rather quickly, but it's still worth mentionning. In The Dark Knight Rises, the ''conclusion act'' is starting with the ''death'' of Batman and ends with the credits. It's 5 minutes. 5 minutes DO count.
