Yeah, but...

Rating: 8/10 (27 June 2012)

James Bond, Batman - and now 'The Amazing Spider-Man'. Another movie- series overhauled and, as was the case with the first new Bond an Batman, very well done. The first half of the movie is reserved for Peter Parker's character-development; the Highschool-outsider, accidentally developing super-powers and wondering what to do with them is comprehensibly presented up to the turning point of uncle Ben's death. Here two important things happen: First of all, Peter Parker starts to realize that he is a part of the world, that he must not waste his abilities but use them for 'the good'. Whatever that maybe: As he is to find out a little later, it is not so easy to do the right thing. This challenge to find his way is the movie's central topic and it gets turned over and over, being presented from different angles; Parker has to find his way as a person with special powers (does he want to be a 'hero'?), as a young guy in Highschool - and in love - and, simple as it seems, in as well as under the city of New York. Back to the turning- point: The second thing that happens here is a shift of focus. The movie from here onwards looks a little less into Parker's character and lays more weight on the typical action- and love-story-elements. Those are solidly done, but they are not as amazing as the first half. Sure, it is great to see Spider-Man swing through the streets of New York in 3d, but it isn't something that'll blow your socks off. The same holds true for the tragic elements that are an integral part of the story: When uncle Ben dies, you can feel Peter Parker's pain as well as the lesson he is learning. But in the end, when it comes to the love-story, he is not quite learning something. Maybe he doesn't have to. It sure feels good to see Gwen Stacy smile in the end. But it is a scene that is solidly Hollywood: Good, very good - but not amazing.