The Amazing Spider-Man…Film Review by Emperor Cole

So like millions of movie goers I went and checked the new Spiderman reboot this past week on opening day. I made sure to get my 3D ticket priced at $17. I got my theater issued 3D glasses and I was ready to see this new incarnation of Spiderman directed by Marc Webb (what a name LOL) and starring Andrew Garfield. I felt that it is still way too early for a complete reboot, but let’s dive right into it and I shall tell you what I did and didn’t like.

I’ll start out with some good things to say about this movie. The visuals and special effects are absolutely AMAZING! Director Marc Webb and his cinematographer and production designer did a superb job of creating the world of the web-slinger and bringing it to life. Visually this film is pleasing and it has a more gritty yet fantastic appeal than the Sam Raimi films. The new design and style of the Spiderman costume looks more edgy and sleek and overall stylish.

Andrew Garfield vs Toby Maguire 

There are those who really didn’t care for Toby Maguire playing the role of Peter Parker but eventually learned to deal with him. I for one felt like he was decent as the lead in the Raimi films…but after seeing this latest film without a doubt Andrew Garfield is much much better in the role. His appearance, demeanor and even slim body type is more accurate for the character from the popular comic book that has been around for 50 years. Garfield did much better with the sarcasm and wise cracking jokes and crud attitude that the Spiderman character has ALWAYS had in the comic books. And in the Sam Raimi films that starred Toby Maguire this element of his character is almost non-existant. He was able to put his own spin on Peter Parker without doing too much and coming across as contrived.

Another area where they hit a home run in is in the casting and acting overall. The Amazing Spider did a phenomenal job with bringing together and all- star cast of supporting characters. Martin Sheen as Uncle Ben was brilliant– although I knew it was inevitable he was going to die I thought he did a great job along with Sally Field as Aunt May. Denis Leary as Captain Stacy was a good casting decision as well. I forgot it was him I was watching. Those cheesy phone commercials that he used to do in the 90’s were the furthest thing from my mind.

Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy was a very good choice as she and Garfield have a strong chemistry on screen that makes them believable and likable as a couple– which reports have stated it turns out they are a real couple now…funny how being on set for 15 hour shoots for months at a time does that to people– ain’t it? Now obviously we all knew the “love story” element of this film was going to be explored in depth, but I feel like they spent a little too much time in the movie on this particular thing. But I suppose Sony selected Marc Webb who directed “500 Days Of Summer” for a reason.

The diabolical villain for the movie is the The Lizard and when he isn’t in reptile mode he is one armed genetic scientist Curt Conners played by Rhys Ifans. Now here’s where it gets tricky because I felt like the backstory and cause and effect to Dr. Curt Conners should have been explored more. Like I wanted to know why he was so desperate to test out his serum on his self even though he said it wasn’t ready for human trials.

What Could Have Been Better…

As stated early I felt as though they spent way too much time on the Peter Parker Gwen Stacy love story than the actual Spiderman vs The Lizard. Although Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy has far more sex appeal than Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson I along with others didn’t pay for this over priced 3D ticket to see a love story and sappy drama “I think I’m in love” moments. We came to see action, adventure and explosions and all that good stuff.

There are some “Wow” moments where Peter Parker uses his Spiderman abilities in public and no one seems surprised enough to pull out a camera phone and take any pics or video?? In this age of instant information that we live in I found that to be false and strange. I know when you watch film you have to suspend your beliefs in reality to enjoy the movie but for me it was a matter of consistency. Then there is a scene where Peter Parker wakes up on the NYC subway and he jumps and sticks to the roof of the train car for about 7 seconds and once again no one takes a pic or anything? The transformation after he gets bit by the spider happens in a matter of about 8 hours which felt extremely rushed. It was almost like they didn’t want to risk losing the audience so they just decided to get it over with.

Spiderman is wanted by police because he’s seen as a vigilante. Then you got this kid Peter Parker who in a crowded gymnasium in high school jumps from the 3 point line and dunks a basketball breaking the rim and nobody seems to be able to figure it out.

The beginning of the film is slow because of the whole backstory issue which has to be provided which goes to support my first statement that it is simply too early for a Spiderman reboot. I could feel the audience wanting the action in the film to hurry up and come because everyone in the theater knew how he becomes Spiderman and it was like a formality that we all wanted to be over.

And I’m not sure if it was just me…but the “3D Hype” surrounding this movie is indeed just that– HYPE. I can only recall two moments in the film that genuinely felt 3D. And one of them is almost right before the end credits start. So I will say it is NOT worth the extra 3D ticket price.

Overall this movie is entertaining and it is worth going to see in the movie theater. It doesn’t fully live up to expectations but I think that is just because I set the expectation bar a little too high. I think the franchise should have been recast as it was and this should have just been Spiderman 4 instead a start over.

MindBender Movie Meter Score:

The Amazing Spider-Man…. 68%