The Amazing Spider-Man

Directed By: Marc Webb

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans

Released 3rd June 2012

Certificate 12A

Reviewed By: Lewis Filer

Forget everything you thought you knew about Spider-Man. This is the untold story.

Finally hitting our screens today, ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ has became one of the most anticipated films of the year. With the recent success of Joss Whedon’s Avengers Assemble and the recent installment being a complete reboot of the franchise, it needed to make an even bigger impression than before.
Luckily it does just that and more. Taking the directing role of the web slingers adventures from Sam Raimi, Music Video and 500 Days of Summer director, Marc Webb completely re-imagines the story of the high school nerd slash superhero and gives us a very different take on the story that Raimi didn’t explore.

Highschool nerd and outcast Peter Parker(Andrew Garfield), spends his days trying to unravel the mystery surrounding own past while trying to claim the love of his high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase belonging to his father who mysteriously abandoned him as a child, in his Aunt and Uncle’s basement, which leads him to his father’s former research partner, Dr. Curtis Connors (Rhys Ifans). The discovery of his father’s secret along with an encounter with a genetically altered spider, will ultimately shape his destiny to become “Spider-Man” and eventually bring him face to face with Connors, who also has a dark secret that ultimately threatens everything Peter knows and loves.

Marc Webb known mostly for his directing work on music videos for bands such as Evanescence, Green Day and My Chemical Romance took to the role of film director in 2009 with his brilliant anti rom com 500 Days of Summer. With only one  film under the directors belt, it would seem like Webb had taken on the huge challenge of bringing the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man back to big screen. It would sound like such a risky challenge but the results have blown that idea out of the water.
The Amazing Spider-Man is one of the best Marvel on screen adaptations yet sporting gorgeous visuals and a brand new back-story, and is high up there with Marvel’s other greats such as Avengers Assemble and X Men: First Class.

Unlike Raimi’s trilogy, this re-telling explores further into Peter’s past and the events that lead to losing his parents and becoming an orphan, which in turn, help explain the later events that lead to that  fateful spider bite.

It’s safe to say that the casting choices were brilliant but most importantly, Garfield shines with an outstanding portrayal of Spidey.  Garfield who now takes the lead role after three previous Spidey films definitely had a lot to live up to with fans having high expectations for his portrayal as Spider-Man. Despite this, he superbly pulls off the role of Peter/Spidey in ways thats Toby Maguire didn’t, adding a lot more humour and likeability to the character.
Saving the character of Mary Jane for late in the series was a very smart move. The introduction of Gwen Stacy as Parker’s love interest before MJ, was a brilliant decision being much closer to the comic books, and will definitely add more to the story of Peter’s journey as Spider-Man (for fans that know what happens).
Ifans plays the role of Dr Conners/Lizard brilliantly while establishing a connection with the audience that resembles pity for his ‘disibility’ and determination to do good for the world, even still at times when he becomes the monstrous Lizard.

The special effects were fantastic and the web slinging scenes across New York were gorgeous to look at, especially when we are offered first person views from Spidey swinging through the city. The only negative thing i would have to say about the special effects would be that sometimes the cgi was quite poor for such a big budget release, particularly the Lizard who appeared too cartoony at times, but other than that, it was perfect.
The first of the franchise to be shot and released in 3D it would seem that being able to witness Spider-Man swing through the city in 3D was going to be a stunning visual treat, but ultimately the 3D failed and was highly was questionable as to why it was used at all. There were some scenes that were using the 3D to its full gimmicky potential, but not enough to justify making the audience pay more for a little bit of extra depth. Back to a good point now, The Stan Lee cameo is by far one of his best and is one of the funniest scenes in the movie.

Also, don’t rush out of the cinemas too quick, the mid credits scene is one to wait for, giving a hint at the next villain but not giving too much away to some, i mean it was pretty freaking obvious who it’s going to be but for those who just can’t place the voice to a character, just wait until the next installment.

There has been a lot of unfair bad press about this film in the sense that it doesn’t tie everything up in the end. Of course it won’t as it’s the first of the new series, the audience need something to look forward to! There are some who won’t like this new direction but from what i’ve seen online and people i’ve spoken to, the majority have fallen in love with Spideys new incarnation and i for one cannot wait for the future of this new story.

Seriously, if i could go on forever about this film i would, so to just cut it short, i’ll say, ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ is this summers film to see. The best one yet and with a family friendly 12A rating, anyone can swing along the webslinger’s return to the big screen.

Fan of ‘Andrew Garfield’? MM reviews for ‘The Social Network’ and ‘Never Let Me Go’

Fan of ‘Emma Stone’? MM reviews for ‘The Help’ and ‘Crazy Stupid Love’