There is life after Raimi

Rating: 9/10 (4 July 2012)

I don't know if a cast of big-name actors can save the very odd re-adaptation of the classic tale 'Great Gatsby' starring Tobey Maguire, and I don't know if the beloved big-budget 'Bourne' franchise can be successfully resurrected without its lead man Matt Damon or mastermind Paul Greengrass, but I do know that 'The Amazing Spider-Man' is perfectly able to achieve greatness in either respect.
It's almost a freedom exclusive to superhero movies, that one superhero can be played by multiple actors over time, and the franchise's popularity never slumps. Fans are in love with the comic-book character first, and the actor who plays him second. Tobey Maguire's reign as Spider-Man ended 5 years ago, as did the story as we knew it, so this latest entry would best be regarded as the beginning of an entirely separate franchise. It's a do-over, a fresh start, a lapse back to the origins of Spider-Man and how Peter Parker came to be, and Andrew Garfield does great work filling the role. Calling the shots this time around is one-time film director Marc Webb, whose feature length debut, 2009's '(500) Days of Summer' may not have prepared him for blockbuster-sized action films, but made him generally well-versed in shaping characters and spinning a love story (which carries almost as much importance as the action in a movie like Spider-Man).
While this revisited chapter of the web-slinging hero touches on a lot of the same obvious plot points – a geeky teen with an elusive past constantly bullied in school, looks to take vengeance on the untimely death of his uncle, and with a chip on his shoulder and a spider bite on his neck, gains superhuman powers, bestowing upon him the charge of protecting New York City – this Spidey story delves deeper into Peter Parker's past and does a better job at explaining why things are as they are. With a new leading man, a new love interest, a new villain, and a more telling back-story, it is difficult to see it as anything but different.
Rhys Ifans (playing Dr. Curt Connors, a mad scientist turned angry mutant lizard) described this film as a more realistic (barring his character's transformation) and less fantastical depiction of the story than the other Spidey films were, and there are many examples supporting that claim. For one instance, while the spider bite gives Peter Parker superhuman strength and amazing athleticism, his web-spinning ability is the result of a special device that he invented. In the Raimi films, firing strings of webbing from his wrists is just something that Parker was suddenly able to do, without a thought or rationalization given to where it came from or how it was possible. That is not to say that it was a bad thing or that this new film is any more plausible. It was just one of the things that Webb decided was important to clear up, making his film adaptation slightly more unique.
I do prefer Webb's vision, though some scenes were still utterly cringing and corny; particularly those involving the school bully aptly named "Flash." That said, I can't help but think that these scenes were done intentionally for comedic purposes, filling the void in J.K. Simmons' absence; in which case these were necessary and effective. A hilarious and crowd-pleasing cameo by Stan Lee tops off the fun, comedic side to the story. Still, nothing in this film was nearly as peculiar or horrifyingly corny as Maguire's evil alter-ego's slick dance routine in Raimi's Spider-Man 3. That was just weird, and frankly a little embarrassing.
The remarkably talented A-list supporting cast (including Martin Sheen and Sally Field) to rising stars Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone gives this remake an original feel in itself. The casting, in both leading and supporting roles, was spot-on. While Garfield's youthful facial features and far leaner build may not necessarily make him the obvious choice to play the part of Spider-Man, after seeing him in action he was undoubtedly the RIGHT choice. He's natural in the part, and plays the character more loosely and freely than in the previous 3 films, which makes him come across as a more likable superhero.
Playing opposite Garfield is the beautiful and blonde Emma Stone, playing Peter Parker's rock and support system, Gwen Stacy. Stone's character is a refreshing portrayal of a strong female lead, level-headed, sturdy and able to stand on her own two feet. She can take care of herself, and does not need a man, or a hero, to whisk her away. The character strays far from Kirsten Dunst's Mary-Jane, a clumsier, emotionally conflicted and clichéd damsel in distress. Garfield and Stone are expectedly well-matched, becoming far more evident when their intimacy and strong on-screen chemistry had carried beyond their movie scenes and into real life, which speaks to what Ifans was saying about the authenticity of the film.
'The Amazing Spider-Man' is a great reboot for the franchise, and it is most definitely worth the cost of a ticket, even in 3-D. The film is showing 'Amazing' success at the box office, and rightfully so. A new face and a new visionary was what the studio needed to freshen up the franchise, and liven up the big-screen.