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THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN
The Amazing Spiderman is the spectacular and imaginative re-boot of the Sam Raimi franchise about the high school student who becomes a superhero thanks to a bite of just the right spider. This film is slam-bang entertainment that works thanks to an intelligent and layered screenplay, lighter in tone than the Sam Raimi films, that brings a new and welcome backstory to the legend, some spectacular visual effects, and a pair of charismatic lead performances, especially a less wimpy and more likable leading lady.
This film takes pretty much the same story path that the 2002 Sam Raimi film did with a couple of startling exceptions. In this film, we get to meet Peter's parents at the beginning of the film. Peter's father, briefly but effectively played by Campbell Scott, was a genetic scientist working on the blending of spider DNA with other animals, and has somehow put him so much danger that he and Peter's mother had to disappear and leave Peter with his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and his Aunt May (Sally Field). This reveal brings an added richness to the story because it implies that Peter's father might have had some influence on what happens to Peter in this story.
Other story elements mirror the Sam Raimi films. We watch Peter lose Uncle Ben, put another high school bully in his place, discover and try to figure out his powers, and get the attention of pretty Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), who it turns out is the daughter of the chief of police (Denis Leary), who, of course, thinks that Spiderman is vigilante and not the good guy that he claims. What we have here is the story from the Sam Raimi franchise tweaked to a believable effect with a little more humor than the Raimi Spiderman.
I loved Peter's initial discovering of his powers on a crowded subway, one of the highlights of the film for me. Once he realizes he is different, Peter doesn't just go out and fool around like Tobey Maguire did, he goes straight to his PC and actually does research about what is happening to him and trying to determine possible adverse effects. I was also impressed by Peter's more direct handling of his alleged secret identity....I love that he tells Gwen almost immediately and that it really doesn't change the way Gwen felt about him before she learns the truth, but it doesn't scare her away either. The only person he really isn't honest with is Aunt May, but like the Rosemary Harris version of the character, I think this one knows what's going on but chooses not to talk about it. I also love the way the story subtly sets up sequels through a promise Peter makes and we know there is no way he will be able to keep it.
Andrew Garfield's goofy charm brings a deliciously human quality to the role of Peter Parker and Emma Stone is a vivacious and intelligent romantic interest, way superior to Kirsten Dunst's MJ Watson. Rhys Ifans offers the performance of his career as Dr. Curt Connors, the demented, one-armed former partner of Peter's father who becomes The Lizard and Denis Leary was solid, as always, as Captain Stacy. The film boasts first rate production values under the skillful guidance of director Marc Webb, with special nods to cinematography, film editing, visual effects, and sound effects editing. This is everything a great popcorn movie should be...just sit back and drink it in.
The Amazing Spiderman is the spectacular and imaginative re-boot of the Sam Raimi franchise about the high school student who becomes a superhero thanks to a bite of just the right spider. This film is slam-bang entertainment that works thanks to an intelligent and layered screenplay, lighter in tone than the Sam Raimi films, that brings a new and welcome backstory to the legend, some spectacular visual effects, and a pair of charismatic lead performances, especially a less wimpy and more likable leading lady.
This film takes pretty much the same story path that the 2002 Sam Raimi film did with a couple of startling exceptions. In this film, we get to meet Peter's parents at the beginning of the film. Peter's father, briefly but effectively played by Campbell Scott, was a genetic scientist working on the blending of spider DNA with other animals, and has somehow put him so much danger that he and Peter's mother had to disappear and leave Peter with his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and his Aunt May (Sally Field). This reveal brings an added richness to the story because it implies that Peter's father might have had some influence on what happens to Peter in this story.
Other story elements mirror the Sam Raimi films. We watch Peter lose Uncle Ben, put another high school bully in his place, discover and try to figure out his powers, and get the attention of pretty Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), who it turns out is the daughter of the chief of police (Denis Leary), who, of course, thinks that Spiderman is vigilante and not the good guy that he claims. What we have here is the story from the Sam Raimi franchise tweaked to a believable effect with a little more humor than the Raimi Spiderman.
I loved Peter's initial discovering of his powers on a crowded subway, one of the highlights of the film for me. Once he realizes he is different, Peter doesn't just go out and fool around like Tobey Maguire did, he goes straight to his PC and actually does research about what is happening to him and trying to determine possible adverse effects. I was also impressed by Peter's more direct handling of his alleged secret identity....I love that he tells Gwen almost immediately and that it really doesn't change the way Gwen felt about him before she learns the truth, but it doesn't scare her away either. The only person he really isn't honest with is Aunt May, but like the Rosemary Harris version of the character, I think this one knows what's going on but chooses not to talk about it. I also love the way the story subtly sets up sequels through a promise Peter makes and we know there is no way he will be able to keep it.
Andrew Garfield's goofy charm brings a deliciously human quality to the role of Peter Parker and Emma Stone is a vivacious and intelligent romantic interest, way superior to Kirsten Dunst's MJ Watson. Rhys Ifans offers the performance of his career as Dr. Curt Connors, the demented, one-armed former partner of Peter's father who becomes The Lizard and Denis Leary was solid, as always, as Captain Stacy. The film boasts first rate production values under the skillful guidance of director Marc Webb, with special nods to cinematography, film editing, visual effects, and sound effects editing. This is everything a great popcorn movie should be...just sit back and drink it in.