The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Chris Zylka

Director: Marc Webb

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Rating: A-

When I first heard that they were rebooting the Spider-Man franchise I rolled my eyes.  While the Sam Raimi trilogy had its fair share of problems I couldn’t help but feel like it was just a bit early to be rebooting the franchise – it wasn’t all that long ago that they were still discussing doing a Spider-Man 4 – and I didn’t really feel that it was necessary to tell another Spider-Man origin story.  At this point, everyone should know how Peter Parker became Spider-Man, it’s not that complicated of a story.  Despite my reluctance, however, I thoroughly enjoyed The Amazing Spider-Man.  There was a lot about it that sent up red flags, but it overcomes its challenges and really stands on its own as a film, suggesting that this new series might even be far better than its predecessor.

The Amazing Spider-Man follows a young Peter Parker (Garfield) during his high school years.  Following a break in at his childhood home his parents go on the run, leaving Peter to live with his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field).  Some years later as a teenager Peter finds his father’s old briefcase, which contains papers describing his work in engineering a regeneration serum that enabled humans to take on animal characteristics – a science pursued by the elder Parker’s colleague, Doctor Curt Connors (Ifans), in order to regenerate his amputated left arm.  Peter seeks out Connors in an attempt to learn more about his father by sneaking into Connors’ lab at Oscorp, where he is bitten by a genetically altered spider.  This gives Peter the spider-like abilities that we’ve come to know and love in Spider-Man, increased agility and strength, an ability to crawl up walls and on ceilings, and precognition, although not the ability to create web – rather this Spider-Man’s web is a synthetically created biocable that Peter makes.  Peter’s change causes problems between him and his aunt and uncle, culminating in Peter storming off following a fight with Uncle Ben.  While looking for Peter, Uncle Ben is shot and dies – an event that leads Peter to seek out his murderer for retribution.  As he is embarking on his new found vigilante identity, Peter also embarks upon a relationship with Gwen Stacey (Stone), the daughter of police captain George Stacey (Leary).  Disaster then strikes when Connors tests his serum on himself, turning him into a giant, mutant lizard, who wants to wreck the city to shit.

Let's start by saying that this is an amazingly acted movie.  The Amazing Spider-Man brings to the table a huge celebrity presence, one that isn't really seen in the earlier movies.  While Andrew Garfield isn't a huge name yet, pretty much everyone else in major roles in this movie is, from Gwen Stacey and her father to Uncle Ben and Aunt May.  I really liked the way that Peter Parker is portrayed in general; rather than being a borderline cheesy, heroic figure, he's as screwed up as the rest of us and doesn't necessarily make the right choices.  Rather than being all about making the better decisions, he's all about pursuing revenge for his uncle, and only becomes a hero when circumstances force him to do so.  I also really liked the portrayal of Gwen Stacey and the way that she is attracted to Peter before he becomes Spider-Man; it's nice to see that despite the fact that he's awkward he's still desirable without superpowers.  My favourite character, however, probably has to be Denis Leary's George Stacey.  There is something about Captain Stacey that is just so a Denis Leary character, and something else about him that is so completely the opposite of a Denis Leary character.  It was really fun to see him step out of his usual niche and even better to see him be the voice of reason.

Moving beyond that, there was also the great special effects.  Despite it being a superhero movie, the CGI is used somewhat subtly and therefore doesn't look fake; this is best seen in both the portrayal of Spider-Man himself and the Lizard.  In the case of the Lizard it's awesome that even in Lizard form you can still see Ifans' characteristics.  The story was also great and did a lot to set up a grander Spider-Man story, much like Batman Begins did.  The Amazing Spider-Man is based on the premise that there is going to be at least one sequel, and that you are most definitely going to see it.  While some of the story is concluded at the end of the film, the whole thing isn't and some aspects that are portrayed as having been major elements of the film in the trailer are really only hinted at.  By the end of the film you're sitting on the edge of your seat, already eager for the next one.