A heartfelt comeback from Spiderman

Rating: 8/10 (4 July 2012)

When Sony Pictures announced a Spiderman 4 with Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire back one thing was sure. It could only be better than Spiderman 3, but it was still with a worried mind I read the news. Sam Raimi dropped out and Tobey quickly went the same way, leaving Sony and Marvel with the obvious choice of rebooting the series. The choice of Marc Webb ((500) Days of Summer) was brave and Andrew Garfield as Spiderman ditto. Having seen it, I can only say one thing: Thank you, Sam Raimi for dropping out!
The film obviously shares quite a few plot lines with the first Spiderman from 2002, but these scenes touched me way more in this version. Quite simply because the characters are more likable, better acted and more human.
This is not like your everyday superhero film. Now I'll admit that I'm not a big Spiderman knower, but I do know that he is supposed to be this very teeny, everyday life kind of superhero. Marc Webb succeeds in bringing this life in a way that Sam Raimi can only dream of! With the same charm, sweetness and wit as (500) Days of Summer he portrays Peter Parker with all the problems of a teenager, but also with all the possibilities that a teen sees in life. Peter Parker is suddenly not just a nerd in a suit. He is a human and for that reason you feel much more connected to him when he is in the suit facing danger.
Andrew Garfield is the new Spiderman and he is leagues ahead of Tobey Maguire. Tobey had some charming moments as Spiderman, but having seen Garfiels portrait, he outclasses him. He is perfect as the teenager who is hopelessly in love, whose parents (uncle/aunt in this case) is on his nerves and who is seeking for a way in life. He produces some touching moments that you rarely see in superhero films. Add to that a comedic talent that secures inch perfect delivery of Spidermans hilarious one-liners. Look out, Ironman - you've just got competition for funniest superhero!
Emma Stone is irresistible as the love interest Gwen Stacy (played by Bryce Dallas Howard in Spiderman 3). Gwen Stacy is in many ways a much more fitting love interest for Peter Parker and Emma Stone is simply perfect! As with Summer in (500) Days of Summer Marc Webb has produced a female lead who it's hard not to fall in love with! The romantic scenes between Garfield and Stome is just as great as the ones between Deschanel and Gordon-Levitt in (500) Days of Summer. Marc Webb is a self-proclaimed romantic and that is why he is able to make sweet romance seem so cool and fitting in this otherwise dark universe.
Rhys Ifans is given the undesirable job of portraying Dr. Connors. Undesirable, because the villainous alter ego of Dr. Connors, 'The Lizard' ends up being a very weak villain character - much like Venom and Sand Man in Spiderman 3. The animation of The Lizard isn't on par with the rest of the effects either and he is not more intimidating than a gremlin. It's sad, because in many ways Ifans gives a performance as great as that of Willam Dafoe in Spiderman (2002).
Those are the major characters, but of the many supporting actors I would like to point out Martin Sheen as Uncle Ben. He had some shoes to fill after Jon Voigts performance in Spiderman. However, I completely prefer Martin Sheens version. He is much more likable, much more parental and way funnier! A very likable character. You should also look out for an awesome cameo performance from Spiderman creator Stan Lee - a very memorable scene!
The story is not amazing, but the script is - the dialogue is very smooth, quick and surprisingly funny. Just as a teen hero should be! The score from James Horner is quite ordinary, though especially one scene with Lizard and Gwen Stacy features some awesome musical notes reminding me of the likes of 'Psycho'.
I have no doubt that this film is too sweet, too charming and too romantic in between the darkness for some, but for me it worked. It succeeded in doing what Christopher Nolan has done with Batman. He has made these heroes recognizable and Marc Webb continues the tradition. Their heroes share our flaws, our feelings and our troubles. I cannot think of anyone better than Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone to do this. Consdering this realistic tone, which obviously makes the film darker, it is a shame that the villain is as cartoonish as The Lizard. For that reason I cannot give a 5/5. But one thing is sure when Webb and Garfield is swinging in to the cinemas again in 2014 I will be there and my expectations will be high!
4/5