Just saw it today and I don't know that it was MUCH better than the first Spiderman, but I did think it was better
Some foreshadowing was on the clearly cheesy side. That disperal machine his dad built just happened to be in the label visible to the world and apparently hooked up and functioning even though it was killed off at the same time as his dad (theoretically anyhow). As soon as they said what it was I said, OK, that in the final scene and pivotal to the outcome. Just blatantly obvious. Same with the death and Gwen saying she always worries her dad won't come home.
Something else that bothered me was not just the standard masked super hero cliche' (at least these days) of the hero having to fight (a good bit) without his mask - but the fact that how many people knew or figured it out damn near immediately. Gwen, her dad, Conners/the lizard, about 25 cops, and Aunt May all knew. Not exactly keeping your identity a secret. Maybe that was sort of the point her dad makes as he's dying, I don't know. I know the previous flicks don't count here, but it's the same thing as Spiderman II. Doc Oc finds out peter is spiderman and tears off after Aunt May. You just can't go out telling everyone who you are and/or making it that easy to figure out.