The Amazing Spider-Man | Movie Review

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The Amazing Spider-Man is a reboot of the franchise based on the famous Marvel comics character and was directed by Marc Webb.  This is Webb’s second directed film after 500 Days of Summer, a 2009 rom-com, and the goal was to focus more on the development of Peter Parker as a boy in a more in-depth and emotional light than Sam Reimi did in his 2002 Spider-Man.  The film stars Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Emma Stone as love interest Gwen Stacey, and follows a teenage Parker as he becomes Spider-Man and attempts to protect New York City against a giant lizard.

I wish more super hero films used Webb’s approach.  He took a story that would have usually been just a vehicle to showcase special effects and stunts and made it an emotionally captivating production.  Sure, plot-wise it’s very similar to the 2002 Spider-Man, but The Amazing Spider-Man is different enough to warrant its existence.  In fact, I even like it better.  There, I said it!

My favorite parts of this movie were not the action sequences or impressive visual effects but rather the more emotional dialogue-driven scenes.  That is due to solid writing and perfect casting.  Not to mention some great performances.  I found Garfield to be a perfect fit and he seems to have really captured the essence of the Peter Parker that Webb sought to create, a modern-day science geek who is attempting to cope with the absence of his parents and his newly developing super powers. I also found Stone to be fitting as Gwen Stacey.  And Sally Field has a notably great performance as May Parker.

I must admit that I was skeptical going in, knowing that the story would be nothing we haven’t seen before.  I mean, when a film company basically decides to do a “do-over” of a franchise that is only 10 years old, it’s hard not to be skeptical.  But The Amazing Spider-Man brought something new to the table not only for the franchise, but for super hero films in general.  I am rooting for the success of this movie in hopes that it may send a message to the makers of these types of films that not all of us are fooled by visual trickery and that emotionally-engaging drama and action can co-exist.


Director : Marc Webb
Writer : James Vanderbilt, Alvin Sargent & Steve Kloves (screenplay); James Vanderbilt (story); Stan Lee & Steve Ditko (Marvel comic book)
Starring : Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary

Rating : 7.5/10

Released On (India) : June 29, 2012

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