The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Directed by: Marc Webb

Verdict: In this reviewer’s opinion, the reboot is superior to the Raimi/Maguire version – due in large part to great casting and good use of live-action/computer-generated Spidey action sequences. It’s a fun summer-flick and continues Webb’s impressive body of work, but somewhat unsurprisingly fails to reach the dizzying heights of Christopher Nolan’s Batman series. The plot is inevitably predictable in parts and there are some subplots that get lost in its course, but I would recommend The Amazing Spider-Man to anyone looking for a funny, action-packed film with real human (and spider) interest.

I think most people will be aware of the plot/story of this film before they see it; boy meets girl, boy gets bitten by spider, boy gets super powers, boy kisses girl, boy saves world. There is not a whole lot one can do with this story in making a Spiderman film. What Webb (how AWESOME is it that the guy directing this is literally called Webb?) and the screenwriters James Vanderbilt, Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves have managed to do is breathe new life into an over-told story.

 Even given the current trend of comic-book hero movies, most people still thought rebooting the Spiderman franchise just 5 years after the last of Sam Raimi’s ‘Spiderman’ trilogy was a bold move made too soon. I think most people will think twice about this after seeing Webb’s (in my opinion) superior telling of the Spiderman legend. Not only is Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker more likeable and believable as a super-hero than Tobey Maguire’s version (sorry Tobes), but 2012’s backstory to the super powers is more complex, and therefore less patronising to the audience.

The opening sequence of the film sees Peter as a young child discovering his father’s study broken into. A few surreptitious shots of spider-related paraphernalia ensure we’re all aware Peter’s dad has a huge impact on what’s to happen to our boy later on. Peter is shipped off to Aunt May and Uncle Ben and later discovers his father was working for OsCorp on regenerating cells and limbs. This eventually leads to the inevitable accidental radio-active spider bite and the manifestation of Peter’s spider powers.

 All that is a long-winded way of saying that in Webb’s version, there’s a bit more mystery, intrigue and scientific credibility. For me however, the gripping sub-plot of Peter’s parents is one of the film’s major downfalls. Their disappearance is barely touched upon after Peter becomes the titular Spider-Man. I mean, I get it; if I could suddenly swing across New York on a regular basis I would probably be a wee bit distracted too. But… it was very much a film of two halves: the first had Peter Parker (lonely, tortured boy looking for answers) and the second had Peter Parker (newly confident Spiderman with sudden lack of regard for family mysteries and a penchant for high-speed action sequences).


Are the Parkers dead? Did Peter somehow cause their death? Who broke into the study? These are clearly questions that will eventually be answered, but could perhaps have been broached a little further. I could probably let this point go, if it weren’t for the further untied ends of the search for Uncle Ben’s killer and the mystery of Norman Osborn’s fatal disease. Webb’s inclusion of the post-credits scene between The Lizard (Rhys Ifans) and *insert guess as to who the other person is here* is a clear statement of intent for a sequel, in which we can only hope these issues will all be happily resolved.

Perhaps, even, the mysterious figure in the prison cell at the end is Peter's father??? Yeah okay, I'll save my sleuthing for Twitter. But despite the minor issues with subplot, the film is really well done. The scenes depicting Parker’s transition to Spiderman in particular lend the film humility, comedy and entertainment value.

The acting ensemble of Garfield, Ifans and Emma Stone is great casting and the trio provide great acting to amplify a well written and directed film. The real-life romance between Garfield and Stone can only help the love story between Peter and Gwen Stacey that is supposed to be at the heart of the story. The supporting cast of Sally Fields, Martin Sheen and Denis Leary are also hugely believable and give great performances. And of course, there’s the Marvel stalwart that is a hilarious Stan Lee cameo – this time as a librarian oblivious to the end-of-world destruction going on around him.

The special effects were virtually flawless and the scenes where ol’ Spidey is called into action were breath-takingly stunning. The editing throughout and James Horner’s score also contributed to The Amazing Spider-Man being truly an amazing, family-friendly film.

 A great start to what will hopefully be one of the great super-hero film trilogies.