2012 Summer Movie Season - The Amazing Spider-Man: Review & Analysis

Welcome Back Spidey!!!! Marvel's Web-Slinger Makes Tremendous Return to Silver Screen!!!!
   By: Brandon Porter


 "I am issuing an Arrest Warrant for the masked vigilante known as Spider-Man." - Cpt. George Stacy

Hero, Menace, or Vigilante, Whatever you want to call him.
HE'S BACK!!!!

The Story

At six years old, Peter Parker's life took an unexpected and life changing turn. After having a stranger break into their house, Richard and Mary Parker leave their young son with his Aunt May and Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen and Sally Field) and disappear into the night never to be heard from again. Years later, a teenage Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is still trying to find answers to his parents' sudden disappearance. He soon finds a pivotal tool that may bring him closer to the truth he so desires. His discovery will have him coming in contact with his father's former partner Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans) and bring him closer to his high school crush Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). But after a slight detour while on a facility tour of Oscorp, Peter finds himself bitten by a Spider and then gains super human strength, reflexes, and agility. When a mutant humanoid monster threatens to infect New York with a citywide virus, Peter Parker must answer the call and become one of the world’s greatest heroes...The Amazing Spider-Man!!!

Peter Parker Discusses the discovery of his father's briefcase
with his Aunt May and Uncle Ben.

Analysis

The first trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man was released in the summer of 2011 and was met with both confusion and skepticism. Though it had been over ten years since the first Spider-Man film was realized, it had only been four years since the third film, Spider-Man 3, was released. Many fans and audiences were puzzled on why a reboot of the franchise was coming so soon. As more and more trailers became released, interest grew as well as anticipation. With a new director, actors, and story, the world prepared itself for the return of Spider-Man. The Amazing Spider-Man received very solid reception from fans and critics all around. A Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score of 73% and $145 million dollars at the box office as of July 7th, it is apparent that fans and critics have embraced the new Spidey. Roger Ebert awarded the film 3 and a half out of 4 stars stating that compared to the Spider-Man from ten years ago, The Amazing Spider-Man gives more vivid detail on why Peter throws himself into the superhero role. On the down side, some critics basically as expected criticized the film believing it was revisiting plot points that were already explored in the previous trilogy. But despite the criticism, the good outweighs the bad. The Amazing Spider-Man is a great step forward in a new direction for the franchise. With more films already in the process of happening, the team at Marvel has established a good foundation to build upon.

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield's On-Screen Chemistry
was stong if not stronger than Tobey Maguire and Kristen
Dunst's in the first trilogy.

Spider-Man Swings into action to combat Curt Connors AKA
The Lizard!!!

 Review

  Like many fans, I too was skeptical with the Spider-Man reboot. However, after Spider-Man 3 left kind of a bad taste in everyone’s mouth, I concluded the decision was just. I finally saw the film in IMAX 3D on July 6th and I must say…It exceeded my highest expectations!!! The Amazing Spider-Man is another Marvel Studios knockout. There are so many positives about this film. The film's tone delivered a darker and more mature theme which is what was promised prior to the film's opening. The plot was also a very different from the films that came before it. The story explored plot points that I never saw in the original trilogy. This differentiated the film from the others. Another huge plus was the Action. Comparing this film to the previous Spider-Man films, this one in completely conquers them all. The action sequences were thrilling, fast paced, intense, and overall fun to watch. This is exactly how a Spider-Man film should be in terms of action in my book. Acting was another huge plus in the film as well. I will say this without regret...Andrew Garfield is a better Spider-Man than Tobey Maguire!!! There I said it and I'm not taking it back. The reason I say this is because Garfield brings much more feeling, emotion, and depth to the character than Maguire did in the previous films. In terms of Spider-Man's humor, Garfield got it spot on!!! He perfectly captures Spider-Man's sarcastic personality as well as delivering his quick witty jokes, one of the things I love so much about the character. Emma Stone was great in her role as Gwen Stacy. She never really played the damsel in distress that Kristen Dunst did as Mary Jane Watson. She portrayed her character a smart, independent, and quick thinking. I look forward to seeing her in the future films. Rhys Ifans is solid Curt Connors as he delivers a villain who can only be described as "A good man who becomes corrupted and twisted in his pursuit of a greater purpose." I felt sympathy for his character and hated how he becomes corrupted when all he wanted to do was help others. This film compared to the other three, was also more emotionally engaging. Though Ben Parker dies in this one just as in Spider-Man, His death in The Amazing Spider-Man was far more impactful and hit me more emotionally than the one in 2002. Overall, The Amazing Spider-Man was a pleasant surprise and an awesome experience. This is definitely a welcome return for one of my all time favorite superheroes.

Rating and Final Thoughs

91% A-

Skeptical at first, I couldn't be happier with how the Spider-Man reboot came out. With a dark tone on par with Batman Begins, Strong and engaging performances, and thrilling action, The Amazing Spider-Man can be placed among one of Marvel Studios' best.

The Amazing Spider-Man truly reminded me why I love the
character so much. I am truly pleased with how Marc Webb
and the crew brought one of my favorite superheros back
to life in the best way possible.