A solid reboot . Do we really need it?

Rating: 6/10 (7 July 2012)

The Reasonably Decent Spider-Man would be a far better title for this movie. The two leads, Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone do excellent jobs; Stone, indeed, is way better than Kirsten Dunst. The movie is much more character-focused and less action-filled than the original Raimi trilogy. But it's also much less dynamic and quirky.
There's some funny moments but much of the plot is a mixed bag, many strands simply don't go anywhere or trail off into nothing. Parker's parents feel like Harry Potter all over again. Aha, I spot Steve Kloves in the writing credits!
We've seen a guy turn into Spider-Man before, of course. And we've also seen the decent scientist turn into a super-villain spiel. The movie is watchable but never really excites; it is teen orientated but isn't teen mush. At times Spidey seems strangely grounded - only occasionally do we get the swinging past skyscrapers stuff; and yes, there's a people in peril on a bridge sequence. Too much feels like "Done that, have the T-shirt." But it's Garfield who really scores well here. I won't say he's better than Toby Mcguire but he feels much more like the comic-book Parker. It's a really good performance but in the wrong movie. I can't help feeling Sony would have been better simply continuing the series with the new actors rather than re-booting it. Saying that Denis Leary has a nice role as Capt. Stacey.
I also think the Peter/Mary-Jane/Harry thing, one of the original films' great strengths, is sorely missed here. And because the film stays resolutely in High School there's no J.Jonah Jameson either. I'm probably sounding a bit harsh on the film - it certainly isn't a failure in many respects. I just don't think we needed it yet.