“I’m gonna throw you out the window now.” —Spider-Man
Today’s quick review: The Amazing Spider-Man. While on a tour of Oscorp, Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), a socially awkward high school student, is bitten by a genetically modified spider and given superpowers. Spurred by a personal tragedy, Parker dons a costume and becomes Spider-Man. Not long afterward, Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), an Oscorp scientist who used to work with Peter’s father, transforms himself into the monstrous Lizard.
The Amazing Spider-Man is a superhero action movie that delivers a new take on the classic Marvel hero. Andrew Garfield takes over the reins as Peter Parker, a high school student given the burden of being able to make a difference. The Amazing Spider-Man features flashy special effects, an updated look for Spider-Man, and a story that weaves together Peter’s origin as Spider-Man and the work his father did at Oscorp before his death.
First and foremost, The Amazing Spider-Man delivers on action. The graphics are another improvement over the previous iterations of the character, and everything from the way he moves in combat to the way he swings around New York feels polished and right. The film pays close attention to the details of its action, showing off Peter’s unique fighting style in countless little ways, and his bouts with the Lizard are framed well.
The Amazing Spider-Man does not slouch on story either. The centerpiece of Peter’s personal arc is his relationship with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), a brilliant classmate who happens to be the daughter of Captain George Stacy (Denis Leary) of the NYPD. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone have excellent chemistry. Their banter helps keep the tone light, while the trust they build up helps ground Peter’s character development.
Still, not everyone will like the changes The Amazing Spider-Man makes. Spider-Man’s origin story is streamlined compared to the comics, with a greater focus on Oscorp and the legacy of Peter’s father. Lizard is a decent villain for story purposes but does not leave as much of a mark as the Raimi villains. And while Peter and Gwen are one of the big draws of the movie, their tongue-in-cheek banter will not appeal to everyone.
The Amazing Spider-Man is a strong choice for fans of the superhero genre. It carves out a slightly different niche than the Raimi films, playing up different aspects of Spider-Man’s story, but it stays true to the spirit of the character and delivers even more web-swinging action. Give it a shot when you are in the mood for a nice mixture of drama, wisecracks, and spectacle.
For a younger and more comedic take on the character, try Spider-Man: Homecoming. For a Spider-Man movie with a similar villain dynamic, try Spider-Man 2.
[6.9 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0948470/). I give it a 8.0 for a great cast, polished action, and a nicely layered story.