Does Whatever A Spider Already Did

Rating: 8/10 (11 March 2020)

"The Amazing Spider-Man" of 2012 is not entirely innovative, most evidently retreading on many origin beats it's predecessor series' first blockbuster instalment popularized, but "The Amazing Spider-Man" has its own distinctive qualities that I intermittently prefer. Perhaps I would also claim it to be the better movie of the two.
Firstly, I believe Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone have a much stronger and endearing rapport than Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst had from 2002's "Spider-Man". The sparks of sincerity and charm between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy in this movie is exhilarating; a truly complimentary constellation of energy between two souls. A particularly great scene in "The Amazing Spider-Man" is where Peter is nervously struggling to confess that he's Spider-Man to Gwen on a rooftop, but then verbally falters to instead reveal it by swiftly wrist webbing her into a romantic embrace plus kiss. In my opinion, it's far emotionally superior than the upside-down alleyway kiss in 2002's "Spider-Man".
Secondly, the villain of "The Amazing Spider-Man", Dr. Curt Connors (The Lizard), rouses much empathy based on his own rapport with Peter Parker. There's a tragic "Nutty Professor" vibe, though obviously more ghastly and sinister, of a man yearning to physically better himself but it horrifically backfires. The narrative establishes early of the layered connection between Connors and Parker, and as the movie's conflict progresses, it enhances their tension to greater potency. I believe The Lizard was well portrayed in this movie, and he's one of the best Spider-Man villains to get the live-action treatment thus far. My only complaint as an avid fan and reader of the source comics, is that I would prefer his visual design to be of the traditional longer snout and lab-coat, but that's just personal aesthetic preference.
Lastly, and this isn't a compliment to the movie, but I want to mention that the costume for Spider-Man in this incarnation is admittedly ugly and dreary, barely reminiscent of the iconic costume he's famous for; stems from the dictum "if it's not broke, don't fix it."
In conclusion, "The Amazing Spider-Man" is a satisfying thrill for some aspects, but it's not entirely innovative by the web it weaves.