The Amazing Spider-Man: Movie Review

Of course everyone who is familiar with the most recent Spider-Man trilogy, starring Tobey Maguire as the superhero in tights and Kirsten Dunst as his Mary Jane, is going to compare it to Marvel's new web-flinging flick, The Amazing Spider-Man. That's OK though because this new movie can take it; for in some ways, this new origin story surpasses Tobey's blockbusters.

With a brand new cast, this retake on Spidey's beginnings stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen and Sally Field. The Amazing Spider-Man gives audiences a different way of looking at a familiar, comic book based story. However, caution is advised for young Spidey fans due to violent action sequences.

THE MOVIE IN A MINUTE

After losing his parents to a tragic accident, Peter Parker is brought up by his loving uncle and aunt. Content, Peter doesn't actively seek answers about his parents' fate until he uncovers a secret that leads him to his scientist father's old lab at OSCORP. There Peter is bitten by an engineered spider, giving him incredible powers. Hoping to uncover more of his father's brilliant work, Peter reveals secret findings to Dr. Curt Connors, a specialist in genetics, secrets that ought to have been left alone. As a consequence, a new breed of villain is born, one Spider-Man must stop before it destroys Manhattan.

THE GOOD AND BAD IN THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

Rated PG-13, The Amazing Spider-Man is not suitable for most children. Scary sequences and action violence will prove too much for them. Also, there are a few instances of foul language and one sexual innuendo.

What The Amazing Spider-Man has going for it is a skilled cast and a thought-out script, both lending to a well executed film. Andrew Garfield dons the blue and red suit and does quite well as the flying superhero. Emma Stone as Peter's girl, Gwen Stacy, completes the fine pair of leads. Welsh actor Rhys Ifans (whom you may recognize from Notting Hill or last year's Shakespeare-focused film, Anonymous) is especially villainous as Dr. Curt Connors' alter ego, The Lizard.

Though it's not hard to question why there is a need for yet another Spider-Man movie, this film by director Marc Webb does offer moviegoers a fun and dramatic look at Peter's high school years. The Amazing Spider-Man tells a meaningful story about the importance of responsibility, our moral call to aid our neighbors who are in need and the destructive power of selfishness and pride.

It's not too romantic and Spider-Man's enemy isn't overly comical looking for once (see the Green Goblin and Dr. Octopus). The movie's weakness is in its pace. At times, the story lags, taking away from the building storyline. Tightened up, The Amazing Spider-Man would have packed even more of a punch.

IN THE END

The Amazing Spider-Man isn't Hollywood's most original film. However, it is surprisingly more believable than the previous Spidey movies. Sorry Tobey.