Bob is mostly right about the "Too Many Villains" Thesis and he's one of the people with an inexplicable hatred of the Amazing franchise, no matter what they do. (Sure, I share a lot of the concerns about studio meddling and hack corporate focus-grouping, but it doesn't stop Amazing Spider-Man from being a downright decent film, sure significant problems, but miles ahead of the Raimi offerings). All that said: Spider-Man villains aren't Batman villains.
In the better Batman stories, the villain reflects back some aspect of Batman's twisted persona. They are Bruce Wayne through a mirror darkly. That's why it's important that they receive development (and usually screen time). Actually, they usually need more screen time that Batman himself. Batman is at his most interesting when he's reacting to the villain.
Spider-Man is pretty much the exact opposite. His villains are just another reason why his day is going to suck. They are chores, deadly no doubt, but mere obstacles that get in the way of him having a normal and/or happy life. Peter doesn't need to hear the Rhino try to explain that "we're the same, you and I". Because they aren't. At all. We don't need a sob story about your sick daughter or dead wife to understand that Spider-Man needs to kick you in the face. Use that screen time for Peter's personal life (where he gets kicked in the face).
For evidence of how well the villain overload can be done, check Spectacular Spider-Man. Norman Osborn's company was creating super-soldiers purely to distract Spider-Man from (the much more profitable) organized crime. This fast-tracked a Sinister Six team-up by episode 10, all to lead into the introduction of the Black Suit. Since it seems ASM2 is replicating the Oscorp angle, I would hope they are going to crib the whole thing, because it was ultimately very well done. It satisfied the desire to see a Sinister Six in operation, explained why they would work together in the first place, and served to demonstrate how much of an upgrade to Peter's powers the symbiote was. Both efficient story-telling, exciting television, and enjoyable nerdservice.
In the better Batman stories, the villain reflects back some aspect of Batman's twisted persona. They are Bruce Wayne through a mirror darkly. That's why it's important that they receive development (and usually screen time). Actually, they usually need more screen time that Batman himself. Batman is at his most interesting when he's reacting to the villain.
Spider-Man is pretty much the exact opposite. His villains are just another reason why his day is going to suck. They are chores, deadly no doubt, but mere obstacles that get in the way of him having a normal and/or happy life. Peter doesn't need to hear the Rhino try to explain that "we're the same, you and I". Because they aren't. At all. We don't need a sob story about your sick daughter or dead wife to understand that Spider-Man needs to kick you in the face. Use that screen time for Peter's personal life (where he gets kicked in the face).
For evidence of how well the villain overload can be done, check Spectacular Spider-Man. Norman Osborn's company was creating super-soldiers purely to distract Spider-Man from (the much more profitable) organized crime. This fast-tracked a Sinister Six team-up by episode 10, all to lead into the introduction of the Black Suit. Since it seems ASM2 is replicating the Oscorp angle, I would hope they are going to crib the whole thing, because it was ultimately very well done. It satisfied the desire to see a Sinister Six in operation, explained why they would work together in the first place, and served to demonstrate how much of an upgrade to Peter's powers the symbiote was. Both efficient story-telling, exciting television, and enjoyable nerdservice.