My first and now my favourite Spider-Man

Rating: 10/10 (3 May 2019)

I guess whether or not we like a super-hero movie depends on what we are looking for in it. I want them to inspire me to always strive to be the best version of myself. I want them to unapologetically show heroes being heroes, without caring if that makes them 'cheesy', protecting and defending more than they attack, constantly learning from life and from others, overcoming personal struggles and losses, using their brain more than their brawn etc. I especially love any story where the protagonist is smart and a fellow nerd. This movie does it all for me.
Garfield might be too good looking to pass off as a bullied teenager, but he made up for that with his acting. He portrayed perfectly the awkwardness that bullies would hone in as a weakness, the need for validation that comes from this and from losing his parents that led him to give the formula away so callously to please Dr Connors, the rebelliousness and teenage angst etc. I also liked the tragic arc of Dr Connors and how his path to the dark side was paved with good intentions. I also liked all the side characters and Gwen. The humour was also on point, as was the music.
More importantly, I like and admire the Peter Parker in this movie. He is a true hero through and through who is also incredibly smart and can build his own suit and solve his own problems unlike in certain other adaptations.