Must See in IMAX 3D for the Full Experience

Rating: 9/10 (8 July 2012)

OK, it's not a given that a huge Anime fan is also a comic book fan, but when it comes to most of the major franchise titles from DC and Marvel Bruno Wang will admit that he is a bit of a glutton. That said, I am a huge fan of the Spidey franchise and feel that the original trilogy was done extremely well.
With that out of the way, the new "The Amazing Spiderman" is, in and of itself, a really good flick. The only criticism I would say coming out of the theater is that it lacked the usual schmaltzy humor that accompanies 'comic book' films. Sometimes that humor is just the right ingredient when dealing with, what we all know deep down, are impossible realities such as doctors turning themselves into giant lizards.
The new Spiderman movie succeeds on many levels though, not the least of which is the CGI. This is pretty much a MUST see in IMAX 3D. IT was really designed for the full on experience both visually and from a sound standpoint. You will however have to wait till near the final third of the film to really see the intense CGI and 3D effects...but it is well worth the wait.
The Amazing Spiderman tells a story, basically much more of the original Spiderman legacy, and it does a superb job. It is a deeply emotional and well-acted script with very little fluff. The first hour of the film is pretty much plot build and also introduces the key characters. Rather than jumping immediately into intense action sequences, we are taken deep into the origin of Spiderman and we get a very real sense of connection with his family and his love interest.
Andrew Garfield really does a great job as the new franchise front man Peter Parker and, much like his predecessor Tobey Maguire, he has boyish good looks that allow him to pull off being an 18 year old high school student. Emma Stone plays his love interest, Gwen Stacy, and she also has the ability to pull of her role as a 17 year-old. It is the fire and naiveté of teenager energy that makes the script much more realistic for these two actors. Stone also delivers some very emotional scenes and really carries you through her feelings with near perfection. Garfield does a great job playing the angst ridden teen who is, at the same time, trying to grapple with his super powers after being bit by a genetically engineered spider.
The story line follows Peter as he hunts down the mysterious disappearance of his parents and uncovers his father's research into cross-breed engineering. In the process, Peter Parker contacts Dr. Curt Connors (aka The Lizard) and offers him part of a missing formula for genetic enhancement. While visiting Connors at OsCorp, Peter gets bitten by the spider and, well...
The choice of Martin Sheen and Sally Field as Uncle Ben and Aunt May is absolutely outstanding. Here we have two veteran actors who bring this deeply emotional substance and reality to the film. The balance of the harsh, know-it-all, energy of the late teen and these two sincere and loving caretakers is the perfect blend. This heightens the audiences experience on Parker's deep inner struggles. Denis Leary also delivers a strong performance as Captain Stacy, Gwen's father, the police captain who is dealing with the 'meddling' of the outlaw Spiderman and his own sense of civic duty to the city.
Since the film has crushed the box office in its opening week it is pretty much a lock that there is a sequel. We are treated to a forward view at the end of the film and introduced to a shadowy, but unknown, character.
I give this film a Bruno Wang 4.5 out of 5 stars. The CGI is absolutely stunning, the IMAX 3D experience is one of the best I have seen to date...particularly near the very end where you are taken on an almost dizzying ride in 3D. The acting is solid and brings out some very strong emotional sequences. Again, the only criticism would be the lack of laughs that, while usually corny in comic book movies, brings a small sense of reality to the films.