Mark Webb... Perfect name for a director to direct a Spider-Man movie!

Rating: 7/10 (13 July 2012)

I am a big fan of the Raimi/Maguire trilogy, but to be honest, I think this is the best film till date. This one is more faithful to the comic books than the three other previous films and it has a more darker story. This puts more emphasis on Peter Parker's past and goes more deeply into the mystery of why his parents disappeared.
One example is Mary Jane Watson. She was already Peter's first love in Rami's first film, but Mary Jane was actually a good friend of Peter when he was in a relationship with Gwen Stacy. After Gwen Stacy passed away, Mary Jane showed sympathy for Peter, they both became best friends and later went into a relationship and got married.
Another example is the Green Goblin. Green Goblin came too early in the films. If you've read the comic books you know for sure that Gwen Stacy was taken as a hostage of Goblin and was pushed from the bridge (which might can be an inspiration for the final fight scene in Raimi's first film when the Goblin pushes Mary Jane from the bridge). Spider-Man rescues Gwen, but eventually realizes that she was already dead when Goblin pushed her down from the bridge. I can say that the only thing that was right (according to the comic books) in the final fight scene in Raimi's film was that the Goblin killed himself with the glider.
But back to this film. I think that Andrew Garfield was the perfect Peter Parker/Spider-Man. His innocent face, curiosity, the way he talks to annoy the bad guys makes himself to be the right choice of actor to play the role. Both Garfield and Maguire were really good actors, but Garfield was a bit better than Maguire. I especially liked this part: ''Look, if you really wanna steal a car, then don't dress like a car thief''. Then he acts like that he is afraid and falls to his knees and says ''You found my weakness, it's small knives'' and then shoots the web on the thief.
Emma Stone was also the perfect choice to play Gwen Stacy. Both Garfield and Stone had a very good chemistry throughout the film. Rhys Ifans and Denis Leary did a great job and gave life to their roles as Dr. Curtis Connors/The Lizard and Captain George Stacy. Martin Sheen and Sally Field were good choice of actors to play Uncle Ben and Aunt May, but I think Sheen was a better Uncle Ben, and Rosemary Harris (Raimi/Maguire trilogy) was a better Aunt May. And finally Chris Zylka who played Flash Thompson. I really missed Flash in the Raimi/Maguire trilogy. After all, I was really surprised that Zylka had a bigger role than Joe Manganiello.
James Horner has delivered yet another fantastic film soundtrack and has given life to every scene in the film. Mark Webb, who directed the film has done a very good job and I really hope that he comes back to direct the next films of this trilogy.
The film is perhaps a little too fast in some parts, but otherwise it keeps what it has promised. This film shows that Peter Parker does not have full control over his powers. He has a web shooter and must learn to shoot correctly to swing around New York City. The film is packed with action, love, comedy and excitement and I guess that all of Spider-Man fans will love this film. This is perhaps a movie with a story that has already been told, but it is well told!
Strongly recommended!