A New Spin on a (Not So) Old Friend...

Rating: 8/10 (25 June 2012)

I recently attended a preview screening for The Amazing Spider-Man, and it was, without a doubt, an excellent (re-)interpretation of Spider-man's origins. Yet, after the film, I overheard a number of people comparing it to Sam Raimi's "original" trilogy. It's as if by saying that they enjoy this film, people feel they are somehow "betraying" the memory of Raimi's trilogy, which is, of course, nonsense.I love Raimi's efforts, and include Spider-man 2 as one of my favorite (not just superhero) films, but to compare them, particularly in either positive or negative terms, would be, to my mind at least, completely pointless. The Amazing Spider-man stands firmly on its own, yet it could just as easily be placed right alongside Raimi's films, as it in many ways, complements them. I have also read, with interest, a couple of reviews citing thematic similarities between The Amazing Spider-man and the Twilight saga, which is just plain ridiculous. After all, I don't recall seeing Gwen pull a Bella and lock herself in her bedroom for six months (or was it a year? I forget) after her last conversation with Peter, do you? As for those that have "reviewed" the film without even seeing it, well, the less said the better.
Andrew Garfield's portrayal of Peter Parker/Spider-man was just brilliant, his is a character you can empathize with and cheer for, and it was refreshing to see him display some heroic qualities even before he is given his powers by the not-so incy wincy spider. Emma Stone showed great humanity as Gwen Stacy. Sassy, funny and fiercely intelligent, she was an inspired choice to play Spidey's first love. Rhys Ifans was suitably conflicted as Spidey's nemesis. I was also thankful that Dr Connors went through an organic, therefore literal, transformation into the creature, it makes me look forward to seeing how the filmmakers portray other members of Spidey's "rogues gallery" in the future. I would have loved to have seen more of Uncle Ben, because, well, Martin Sheen is just awesome. Sally Field gives us an Aunt May that epitomizes the saying "still waters run deep". She is quietly dignified, and also strangely accepting of the, very traumatic, changes happening around her, particularly when she witnesses, first-hand, the very real consequences to Peter following his new status as both a superhero, and designated vigilante.
For me, what made the story of this particular Spider-man so interesting, was not what was put in the film, but what was left out. I won't spoil it for those that haven't seen it (yet) but part of the appeal of this incarnation of our favorite web-slinger, is that the film leaves out some of the very (canonical) elements that we, as an audience, expect to see in a "traditional" Spidey film, and that's what I loved about it. The filmmakers haven't pandered to what we thought we should (and perhaps feel entitled to) see, but have instead given us something that, like this version of Peter Parker himself, is both familiar, and yet completely new at the same time. It subverted my expectations whilst also satisfying those that I already had when I entered the cinema. Because of this experience, I left the film both surprised and elated, with my mind already running through what may, or may not, happen in the next installment. The Amazing Spider-man feels like it is one part of a greater story, and I, for one, eagerly await the next chapter.
There is a lot in The Amazing Spider-man to enjoy, for fans of Raimi's trilogy, to readers of the comics (of which I count myself as one) as well as cinema goers in general. I wont go so far as saying that there's something here for everyone, because that's just wishful thinking. What I will say is this, if you leave your ideas of what a Spider-man film should, or should not, be (or even what has been) at the door, there is a lot to savor, appreciate and even marvel at, in this interpretation of one of our most iconic characters.