Doesn't compare to Joss Wheadon's work, but not too far off!

Rating: 8/10 (3 July 2012)

First of all, I've never been so encouraged to write a review after reading the horrible reviews this film has undeservedly been getting. And only a very few of these reviews may I add, even seemed to offer a decent input as to what good reasons the film didn't work for them. It's almost as if there's a really butt hurt Sam Reimi making multiple accounts just to completely trash the film out of spite. This film isn't with out flaws, don't get me wrong, but it's in a league of it's own compared to what we were offered 10 years ago. I really don't understand why so many people keep comparing this to Reimi's films. Amazing Spider-Man is a little darker, gritter, a little more believable, more human and offers a lot more depth and character development. Unless you're literally about 12, I really don't understand why so many reviews on here are complaining about the film being set at night a lot, or the lack of Mary Jane, or the fact that Spider-Man wasn't some over powered and over the top super hero and instead we were offered a more believable character, and constantly cross referencing back forth between the earlier incarnations like they're supposed to be carbon copies rather than a reboot. So far these negative reviews seem to be coming from viewers who don't even seem to understand anything about the Spider-Man comics.This film has also been much more accurate to the story arc that this is based on so far as well. People are complaining about the CGI on Lizard. It really wasn't that bad. I mean, hello? Plastic Goblin from the original? People are also complaining Spider-Man seemed a little weak. I liked that. He's had his powers about maybe the course of a few months in the film.. I find the film easier to believe watching Peter Parker develop into Spider-Man, and seeing that Spider-Man has a more vulnerable and human side, and it adds a real sense of danger watching him take on lizard and actually come out of the fight with some cuts and bruises because he wasn't over powering the villain in a predictable way like in Reimi's version.
The acting was great. Garfield did a great job and the connection between himself and Stone felt authentic, although I will admit it felt a little rushed. Sheen's short but brilliant role is worth noting. Uncle Ben and Aunt May felt more genuine and believable in this version, not overly warm and stereotypical as in Reimi's which I personally found them hilariously clichéd in, and they just felt so forced it was crigneworthy. Ifans was delivered his role extremely well and naturally, although the Lizard villain himself left the audience asking a lot of questions, and it felt like his transgression from down to earth scientist to antagonist was a little rushed or scenes were heavily cut.
Overall, a great film. I'd almost dare say this was to Spider-man like what Batman Begins was to Batman, though far from being as engaging and having as much depth, or as much realism, and having a teenage drama theme at times. I see no real reason for anyone to as disappointed as they seem to be in some reviews, other than the fact they went in expecting a carbon copy of Reimi's camp, cheesy, over the top unbelievable action packed superhero film aimed at a younger / family audience who don't like the darker, more emotionally driven and more believable and down to earth version.