‘Amazing Spider-Man 2’ trailer has Parker and villains in fine form

Answers start to be revealed in the new trailer for “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,� as the movie picks up the scent of mysteries left open by the first film.

That’s particularly true in the matter of Peter Parker’s father and his knotty past relationship with shady Oscorp, for which he once worked. The first movie left open what it is that the older Parker did for the company and why those doings led to his disappearance, but such events seem to be at the heart of this film’s revelation and action.

As the plot-centric trailer for the new Marc Webb film reveals, the company has Parker-slash-Spider-Man, played of course by Andrew Garfield, under surveillance, and the hero appears to be in danger as a result.

A number of new characters, particularly villains, make their appearance in the spot as well, with Jamie Foxx getting juiced as Electro, Paul Giamatti decked out as Rhino and Dane DeHaan smooth-talking his way through the trailer as Harry Osborn, seeming to help but cooking up mischief with dad Norman (Chris Cooper). A glimpse of Vulture’s wings also has fans talking, as the new movie deepens the number of villains from the first installment and also sets up more to come in planned sequels in 2016 and 2018.

PHOTOS: Movie Sneaks 2013

The first movie came up against criticism from some that it was treading over the ground of Sam Raimi’s earlier trilogy. That already seemed somewhat beside the point given Webb’s more character-oriented touches and other differences; the trailer’s suggestion of new villains and a broader mythology would seem to make it further moot.

The trailer contains a number of serious superhero-ish moments (“I made a choice; this is my path,� Parker says in the spot, one of several such comments). Still, one of the first film’s great charms was also the very human Garfield having a very convincing romance with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). That seems to be back in spades as she ribs him over the bullets he dodged on his way to a date.

Sony is releasing the new film May 2, somewhat earlier in the season than the first film’s July 4 weekend opening.

ALSO:

‘Amazing Spider-Man’ gets more sequels

Paul Walker: A fan reminisces, then a journalist

Paul Walker in ‘Fast & Furious 7’: What may happen (and why it matters)

Follow me on Twitter: @ZeitchikLAT