better spider-man, better action and weaker peter parker = slightly better spider-man movie overall

Rating: 6/10 (6 July 2012)

actual rating 6.25.
this is slightly higher than the 6 i would give the second raimi spider-man movie, which is the best of that first bunch.
garfield supplies us with too much acting and emoting, as he did in 'never let me go.' he is capable, but needs to be reined in, as he was in 'the social network.' he's too fidgety, too dewy-eyed and too angry, though likely he was directed this way. fine, but not as naturally likable as was toby maguire in this same role not too long ago.
contrarily, the spider-man stuff is significantly better handled than in the other movies. it's nice to see that the guy running around in the suit...is a guy running around in a suit, not a weightless computer generated creation that has no personality. and when it is computer generated (which doesn't seem often), it meshes very well with the actual performer. the quipping/smart remarks during the fights work better than i would have expected and there are some smart moments--- the making of the motion sensitive web and the collusion of the crane operators are both pretty sharp ideas that are well presented. although the reversion of peter parker's web shooters to their original idea is different (and in line with the comic) it actually makes less sense in a movie that is trying deal more with the genetic side of parker's abilities. maybe this was done to differentiate it more from the raimi film?
like many people, after countless versions of the origin--- in comics (the original, ultimate s-m) in the previous raimi movie and also on stage, i am tied of the origin story and wish the filmmakers eschewed giving it to us again. still, a fine comic book movie.