> REVIEW
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The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Rebooted…
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By Simon Francis | July 2012
DIRECTOR: Marc Webb
WRITER(s): James Vanderbilt / Alvin Sargent / Steve Kloves
Ten years after Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire launched Spider-Man onto the cinematic stage with a riotous adaptation of Marvel’s favourite son, and five years after their bloated trilogy closer, Sony ditched their ideas for a forth instalment and re-booted the entire franchise. Enter director Marc Webb and rising Brit star Andrew Garfield.
With only a handful of titles under his belt, Webb (500 Days of Summer) has been tasked with (re)telling the well known story from scratch, so close to the original trilogy, and with an abundance of worldwide critics and fanboys begging the question, why? No pressure then.
Unlike Raimi’s trilogy, Webb swings into the Spidey universe eager to explore the disappearance of Peter Parker’s parents and more precisely his father’s involvement in a series of top secret experiments. Staying true to the comics, Webb’s Parker (Garfield) still resides with his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field) and charts his growth into awkward, outcast teen, albeit one with a razor sharp wit and occasional act of bravery, which earns him the attentions of school bully Flash Thompson (Chris Zylka) and love interest Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone).
When Peter comes across his father’s briefcase it leads him to old colleague and mentor Dr. Curt Conners (Rhys Ifans), an amputee who wishes to rid the world of weakness by combining the genes of lizards to regenerate limbs on demand. With Peter’s help he manages to create a formula and with a little pressure from the head honcho at Oscorp opts to try it on himself with predictably monstrous results.
Meanwhile, whilst snooping around, Peter is (of course) bitten by a radioactive spider thus giving him the powerful abilities of the arachnid. Webb (re)treads familiar territory as Peter enjoys testing his new powers and it isn’t until Uncle Ben is killed by a thief, following an argument, that he assumes the role of vigilante and sets out to find the killer.
Webb does very well to stay true to the original comics, most notably by including the web slingers on Spider-Man’s wrists which Peter invents, as opposed to being a genetic side effect of the spider bite (which is a later revelation). It helps ground the character and affords him a fresher, smarter edge before he disappears under the costume.
Another angle Webb introduces is the love story between Peter and Gwen. Boasting many elements of the director’s earlier works with a signature indie sensibility, Garfield provides a cool but definitely geeky Peter to Stone’s tough but inviting Gwen.
It’s a brave move but one that helps separate it from the recent origin pack and screenwriter James Vanderbilt along with Spidey vet Alvin Sargent and Harry Potter’s Steve Kloves serves up a narrative that flows with a little more emotional depth than previous outings.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Spider-Man movie without action. 3D, CGI action that is, and Webb brings the spectacle with some breathtaking roof-top set-pieces, while the flight and fight sequences, including the anticipated skyscraper throw-down between Spidey and The Lizard, are consistently exciting, even if Ifans’ alter ego has been noticeably short-changed in the effects stakes.
The after credit cookies predictably tease a sequel and if you’re still left asking the question, why do it all again? Then Webb’s web slinger offers something a little more sinister than Raimi’s aim to please attempts. It may not reinvent the franchise but The Amazing Spider-Man has certainly rejuvenated it.
Script…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Sharp, funny and occasionally inventive, the experienced trio of Vanderbilt,
Sergeant and Kloves retread and break some new ground in the familiar tale,
relying more on the emotion rather than the action of the iconic character. 3
Direction………………………………………………………………………………………..
The first hour provides a great Webb-esque look into the trials and tribulations
of Peter Parker’s teenage years followed by some dizzying action sequences and impressive CGI. 3
Verdict…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Not quite amazing then, but a welcome return for Marvel’s favourite son
nonetheless. 3
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