Spidey's triumphant return eclipses predecessors

Rating: 9/10 (12 August 2012)

When the amazing spider-man was first announced as a reboot following the at best messy spider-man 3, the fan base opinion was severely divided. There were those who were excited by the prospect of revisiting Peter Parkers origins and thrilled by the idea of a new, more faithful approach to the characters that resembled more closely the original comics. Then there were those who were filled with doubt and dread. Cynical that the reboot would bring anything new that hadn't already been done better in Sam Ramis first film, cynical that the new film would try and appeal to a hip younger audience and would feel uncomfortable like twilight in spandex. With a sigh of relief the web heads loyal followers can rest easy however. It must be stressed that this new, fresh take on the story is A)in no way offensively teen marketed and B) actually pretty damn good. Of course we follow the same familiar plot: nerdy teenage boy with hopeless crush living with his aunt and uncle is bitten by a genetically enhanced spider and develops superpowers, uses power for own gain, power responsibility, after tragic event becomes a hero blah blah blah you know the rest. However you cant blame the film makers for this, spider-mans origins are an integral part to who he is and are therefore impossible to change, but kudos should go to Marc Webb for at least telling these events in a way that feels new (Peters first experiences with his spidey sense for example is humorous and inventive as is a scene in which Peter tries to get to grips with his new found strength). What's more important anyway than what we've seen before is whats new. Gwen Stacey makes a MUCH more charismatic love interest than Mary Jane, shes funny, likable and does more than just whine at Peter and then scream when she needs help for the whole running time. Emma Stone has made Gwen Stacey into a character that you understand Peters affection for aiding your emotional investment when things all go wrong. Its a strange point to make but its true, for perhaps the first time the love sub plot in a comic book movie is not only entertaining but its in places rather emotional and effective. Marc Webb manages to tell a more human real love story as the sub plot to his blockbuster than most Rom-coms (or certain vampire films) do. The rest of the cast are also likable and believable all round, Martin Sheen is a funny charming uncle Ben. Ryhs Ifans is a sympathetic but enjoyable villain as the lizard. Even Chris Zylka as Flash Thompson gets a bit more 3 dimensional in one notable scene. but of course the focus here is and always should have been on Andrew Garfield. Here is the films biggest strength. It needs to be said that Garfield truly wipes away all memory of Tobey Maguire and that also he may be one of the most if not the most, perfectly cast lead in a superhero blockbuster. Forget Bales threatening moody batman or Downey Jr's funny witty iron man, Garfields Peter is lovable, funny, heroic, believable and simply is the spider-man the comics portray. He has the perfect physicality to the part, has impeccable delivery with both emotional dialogue and humorous banter. He caries the film from good to triumphant so when the great powerful moments come with James Horners (excellent) score blasting in the background you really feel engaged and thrilled. Outside of casting, the special effects are all seamless (ignoring a couple of cartoonish shots of the lizard) and some of the stunts spectacular. Its a shame then that non of these individual parts add up to any amazing set pieces or action scenes. The battles between spidey and the lizard are entertaining and engaging but never thrilling. There's nothing too special here in the action department. The films most memorable fight (a frantic battle between the lizard and spidey in the school) is fun but not jaw dropping, although it does feature Stan Lees greatest cameo yet. Thats not to say the film is not visually impressive. Marc Webb has brought style that Sam Rami's more cartoonish camp siderman films simply could not dream of. The city lights blur in th night as spidey glides elegantly through the air, the lighting in one sewer based moment is exquisite as a web structure is constructed before is gracefully and beautifully with soft almost magical fairytale esque music accompanying it, and Marc Webbs first person swinging shots are, whilst videogamey, very dynamic. But the true quality of Sonys spider-man reboot isn't really in the fantastical scenes, its in the more personal, heart warming scenes which is wear the film incidentally is light years beyond the whinny irritating emotionality of the first series more intimate moments (See any scene with Mary Jane). This time round things happen on a smaller scale to effect Peters life and we genuinely care. We care about his relationship with aunt May, we care about him trying to maintain peace Gwens farther despite saying all the wrong things, and most of all we care about him and Gwen. Sure the villain may not be as threatening as many of Batman's more memorable foes (although the lizard does have a believable sympathetic story to go with his human alter ego), sure the actions never up there with spider-man 2's train sequence or the dark knights bat pod tunnel chase and sure many scenes feel familiar and (very rarely) weaker than they were in the past films. But overall the amazing spider-man is more emotional, more charming, more believable and more stylish than many of its genre. Doubters, you can put your fears to rest now.