Really worth watching

Rating: 8/10 (27 July 2012)

It might seem strange to do another Spider-Man movie after just a decade, but I don't think it is that odd considering there's a new Jane Austen movie/miniseries every five years or so. After all it is not a copy of the first movies, but another interpretation of the original story of Spider-Man (the comics). I haven't read the comics myself, so I can't judge the film in that perspective. I will try not to compare the films too much, and just talk about The Amazing Spider-Man as a good or bad film. Let's begin with the story.
We first meet Peter Parker, a shy guy, a little bit lonely, a little bit geeky, but not in a cliché way. This character is actually very believable, and very lovable and I'm sure it has a lot to do with Andrey Garfield's great acting. There is something very genuine about him which makes us like him at once. We learn how he lost his parents and came to live with his aunt and uncle (perfect cast with Sally Field and Martin Sheen). His transformation into Spider-Man is a result of his curiosity for his father's work at Oscorp, and there's an interesting parallel between his physical changes into Spidey, and those of Dr Connors' transformation into the Lizard, and how it affects them differently.
The dialogues are very well-written, with a lot of humor and wit (I loved the last line before the credits), and there is a certain darkness to Peter that was lacking in the other Spider-Man movies (especially in the third, which was supposed to be darker).
As for the girl Peter is in love with, Gwen, we appreciate the fact that she's not constantly in danger and can take care of herself even though she doesn't have super-powers. She doesn't exist just to be Peter's love interest and damsel in distress ; she's very smart and doesn't need to be saved every other day.
The action scenes are just the right length, and they don't try too much to impress us. I do have one complaint however, and that is regarding the split personality of Dr Connors. Even if it's not as bad as in Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, it thought "seen this, done that" and I would appreciate if screenwriters didn't feel the need to always give split personalities for bad guys. Or at least, don't make the guy talk to himself, I'm tired of this device since Gollum.
On the whole, it's a great movie and even if you think the first ones have done it all, I can assure you you'll be proved wrong. It has everything you can expect from a super-hero film : good action, good story, a bit of darkness, a bit of romance, and a lot of humor.