Was there warrant enough for this Spider-Man reboot after
the Sam Raimi origin story only coming out ten years ago? Having had issues
with the visuals in that particular franchise I was looking forward to updated
technology giving the suited hero some real depth. This Spider-Man looks amazing. The suit for
one has texture and the action scenes feel more robust. Scenes in the first half of the film where
Peter Parker gets bitten exploring the labs of OsCorp feel refreshed and have
been updated well. Blue UV hues mirror the suit he will soon don and intricate
designs delight. Though I did enjoy Toby
Maguire and Kirsten Dunst’s performances in the 2002 version I was looking
forward to a new spin on this superhero tale.
Once again the leads have been cast well with Andrew Garfield and Emma
Stone having great chemistry. Sally Field is a feistier Aunt May and her
character develops a harder edge as the film goes on. Paired up with Martin
Sheen as Uncle Ben they come together to form a fine parental team.
This origin story does on the surface have some differences.
Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) playing the love interest and the discovery of Peter’s father’s
past work lead him to interactions with the curiously cold Dr. Curt Connors
(Rys Ifans). This mad scientist contrasts well with Peter’s own story as he transforms into the Lizard and loses his humanity. Unfortunately this is where the visuals let
the film down with some uninspired CGI. With nods to Godzilla and Creature from
the Black Lagoon (pictures of the lizard's claw making the front of the newspapers)
it is disappointing that this movie monster is not as striking as those made in
1954.
Garfield is superbly well cast in the role of Peter Parker,
geeky enough to be believable and incredibly endearing. This Spider-Man reacts with a youthful arrogance, taunting his prey and
humiliating them with his web slinging abilities. He playfully quips when in
the suit and strikes the famous comic book stances. Director Marc Webb inserts some
dark action between romance and comedy in the first part of the film and
develops his characters well, but the finale does have a generic air of going through
the motions to set up the sequel.
Spidey leaps and bounds forward in fast action scenes of
free running style and sticky awkwardness but doesn’t reach the promised
amazing heights. Aimed at a younger
audience who should enjoy the high school romance aspect and teen angst but a
sense of familiarity in this origin story may leave some underwhelmed.
Released in the UK on 3rd July 2012
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