Passable, but still not up to Raimi standard

Rating: 6/10 (16 December 2014)

Version I saw: UK cinema release (2D)
Actors: 6/10
Plot/script: 5/10
Photography/visual style: 6/10
Music/score: 6/10
Overall: 6/10
If the producers of this film thought everyone would have forgotten the Raimi versions by now, they were dead wrong. The reasons for these films are well-documented: contractual stipulations mean Sony lose the rights to the character if they don't make films on a semi-regular basis. The commercial machinations are quite interesting, in a way, but not very artistically credible.
To be fair, in some areas, this version stands up quite well. Andrew Garfield makes a good Spidey, balancing the nerdy weakling and wisecracking hero sides of the character. This has especially pleased some people who never liked Tobey Maguire's portrayal, although I think he was at least as good. The rapport with co-star Emma Stone is good as well; whether this is just good acting or a sign of their reported off-screen romance I do not know, and to be honest don't much care, although I understand that it makes a great bit of PR. Too bad that... well, you'll see.
Out of the two villains, Dane DeHaan has even more of a balance to strike as the schizophrenic Harry Osborn/Green Goblin, and manages it with more aplomb than James Franco did, in my opinion. It's just a shame that James Foxx is given so little to do as Electro. He is a very good actor, and doesn't deserve to be CGIed almost out of existence and given an emotional register that ranges from angry to very angry.
The plot holes have been commented on by others, but I think they overstate the matter. Yes, there are plot holes, and contrivances, and none of the good stuff is quite enough to forgive this, but many of the criticisms don't hang together for me.
The biggest difference between old Spidey and new, and the one that is most difficult to surmount, is the director. Marc Webb seems capable enough, but he just doesn't have that touch of flair that Sam Raimi could add at times. Without that, the new films will never be more than passable.
For my full review, see my independent film blog on Blogger, Cinema Inferno: http://cinemainferno-blog.blogspot.co.uk