The Amazing Spider-Man Review
It hasn’t been too long since the Sam Raimi Spidey-Flick and as a result when the announcement came everyone was right to be uncertain about. Granted we have had reboots and retelling in movies (Batman Begins) and comic books (Daredevil: Yellow & Man Without Fear). However, these have had the benefits of years in between and a valid reason for updating. Therefore, if you’re going to re-web instead of swinging to the next instalment, you’d better pull it out the bag.
The problem the movie has post credits is it’s ham-strung by being another origin story so soon after already having an origin story. In order to stay faithful you can only interpret a high-schooler being bitten by a radioactive spider so many ways. So, you can add in some clandestine parental conspiracy and, well, not much else. After all, you take your re-imagining too far afield and you just may face the Thwip of Spider-Fans everywhere!
Whether your Spidey-Bible is that of Raimi’s films or the comic book, the feeling of treading old ground is all too apparent and you are waiting for web-slinging to start. This is something the makers seem aware of , so crawling over the origin with enough depth to anchor
later themes we skip ahead to the fun. A justifiably brief montage of suit making and web slingers (which make perfect sense) and we get to the fun. In all honesty, spidey just feels more spidey than the last incarnation. The webslinging is spot on and whether it be real or CG infused, the poses are straight from the book whether it be Amazing or Spectacular. The fights too are arachnicity (real word check!) and survival instincts in equal measure. You’ll be crawling and ducking along with our gangly hero. Some superb nods are added for those looking. Although he doesn’t earn his spurs in the wrestling ring, he manages to crash land in one and a ring side poster gives the inspiration for the spidey suit. Plus; Sidekick award for the best Stan Lee cameo goes to Amazing spider-Man, where in the middle of fight-for-your-life bombast Lee continues check-in books while his life is saved. <Ed – Not only that but if you look closely, you’ll see that Stan is actually wearing an homage to Peter Parker’s original vest top/bow tie combo from Spidey’s comic book origin>
Where this film really succeeds is the casting. Garfield imbues Peter perfectly with vulnerability and trepid confidence. Making the quipping and sassing of street scum believable once he’s masked (rather than the whimpering Maguire). Similarly, Emma Stone hits all
the right notes to have you see what Peter does in her. More than just girl-next-door and sad banality of Kirsten Dunst. Stone earns
the affections rather than it being a given. This is ultimately where the movie finds it’s core and heart. We all remember the those
cripplingly awkward moments talking to the opposite sex in high school and rarely have we relived so vividly. The result is a more
believable and likeable Spidey and this particular sidekick would venture a more successful one.
By the time the credits roll you may be disappointed or fulfilled. But, regardless of any protest you will sign on for the sequel in a few years time in spite of what you say now (I’m talking specifically to the Raimi fans).
3* – A whole-hearted super-hero movie that concerns itself just as much with the characters as it does with the super-herosim. It’s also has
enough energy and vigor to get your spandex fix.
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