Review: The Amazing Spiderman

    It was always inevitable that there would be another Spiderman movie.  Not only because Sony Pictures needs to continue to flaunt the Spidey brand or they lose the rights; but because it brings in the money – the legacy of the previous films with Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst stands at $2 billion.  So Spiderman 4 was on the agenda but after u-turn a new cast was drawn up to star in an ever popular prequel focusing on Spiderman’s early years.  Initially one would think it’s just the same story as the 2002 film except with different actors - and essentially that’s what it is.  Yet audiences and true believers across the world are clearly satisfied, with The Amazing Spiderman taking $140 million in its first six days.  It’s unsurprising that people will get excited about the return of their favourite hero and Andrew Garfield packs a punch in this turbulent reboot.

     Fanatics will ask the obvious question of whether this remake is better than the original 2002 Spiderman.  On reflection, it’s not better but it’s not worse – it’s different.  Albeit, the story line is similar overall, The Amazing Spiderman feels darker and slicker than the steady, linear narrative of the original.  The audience are blown away by the aerial web-slinging scenes through the urban grit of New York City. Meanwhile combat scenes are memorable and well executed.  The Lizard ripping through a toilet to assail the High School is intense but also funny when the elderly librarian listening to classical music fails to notice the fray and destruction in the background.  Of course, it would be essential to see it in 3D to appreciate the grandeur of the SFX.

     Nonetheless, you can’t help but feel the emotional aspect of the film is the lost in the pace and uproar of the action.  Spiderman is so amazing because he relates to anyone: the struggle of the working class hero and the rise of the underdog.  But at its heart is a love story where Peter Parker is a character torn between being a hero and being a lover.  We don’t care for grade-A student Gwen Stacey (Emma Stone) nearly as much as the belle Mary Jane Watson - I missed the girl next door and the awkward exchanges of Toby Maguire.   Garfield and Stone play their parts and they play them well; but together, their relationship lacks substance feeling like just a casual fling.  This ultimately leaves any attempt at a serious romance scene unconvincing – save perhaps from a first kiss balcony scene that is heart warming enough.   

     However, they now have another two movies to get better acquainted as it was recently announced the latest Spiderman is going to be part of a trilogy.  This is just as well because this film never developed the story line of Peter Parker’s parents.  After so much build up, by the end of the film we only found out that they were “very secretive”.  Although the follow up movies will certainly give fans plenty to look forward to: I’ve already started guessing who the villain will be and who’ll play them.  The Amazing Spiderman represents our friendly neighbourhood hero for the iPod and hooded generation – the concept we’re used to, just adapted slightly to be accessible to today’s cinema goers.  The follow up titles have the potential to be massive if the action is as breathtaking; granted they also develop the relationships and pull the narrative together.  Fans can revel in Spidey’s rebirth and anticipate his return very soon.  Meanwhile I’m sure Sony Pictures are hoping for a Spiderman trilogy as lucrative as its predecessor.  At this rate, it should be.