In this film image released by Sony Pictures, Andrew Garfield portrays Peter Parker and Spider-Man in a scene from "The Amazing Spider-Man, set for release on July 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Columbia - Sony Pictures, Jaimie Trueblood)
Without a doubt, "The Amazing Spider-Man" wipes away the horrible aftertaste left by "Spider-Man 3."
And while that's welcome news, there's a bigger question at hand: Is this reboot featuring the beloved Peter Parker -- a guy we saw on the big screen just five years ago -- even necessary?
Yes, it is.
In fact, this is the best Spidey film yet: strong, bold and well-acted. Its main problem -- besides a bloated running time and only adequate 3-D -- is that you can't help but experience pangs of deja vu, since director Sam Raimi's very good "Spider-Man" debuted on the screen about 10 years ago. Fortunately, the story and character show greater dimension here and there's a different love interest. And while "Spider-Man 3" crammed in too much, "The Amazing Spider-Man" takes a less-is- more approach, and it pays off.
The biggest ace up its sleeve is Andrew Garfield as the once-bitten teen who takes on arachnid superpowers. Best-known for nailing the part of Mark Zuckerberg's ex-chum in "The Social Network," the gangly actor makes a moodier, brainier Peter.
While Tobey Maguire brought an endearing aw-shucks bewilderment to the role, Garfield and screenwriters James Vanderbilt, Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves go for a more angsty adolescent. There's a cockier, more teen-like quality to this Peter, a skateboarder and photographer who lives with his uncle and aunt (well-played by Martin Sheen and Sally Field) and has a crush on the
intelligent and perky Gwen (Emma Stone, lighting up the screen as usual).Parker's transformation into Spidey happens after he gets bitten while snooping around the lab of scientist Curt Connor (Rhys Ifans of "Notting Hill") -- his dead father's former partner. The brilliant one-armed Connors is mixing and matching human and animal DNA in hopes of curing the world of its ills. Anyone who has ever picked up a comic book realizes this guy's obsession can only lead to trouble. And boy does
it ever.Once Peter attains his powers, he has a hard time keeping them in check, especially after a tragic crime is committed and he feels partly responsible. Seduced by his own strength, Peter goes a touch too far when he turns the tables on a school bully.
Its edgier themes like these, when our hero shows that in his strength he possesses weakness, that give this "Spider-Man" its bite. Don't go in thinking, though, that the filmmakers are pulling a "Dark Knight," There's more gray than pitch black in play.
There's also less action than normal for a comic book flick. Director Marc Webb -- who gave us the spry romantic comedy "500 Days of Summer" -- hasn't completely forsaken the action, but he does slow the pace so the plot can unfold and the relationships take root.
Good for him, since that helps the major characters come alive. The lizard villain, played so impressively by Ifans, winds up a complex combo of pathetic and sympathetic. And the NYPD police captain (Denis Leary) who also happens to be Gwen's dad, is given more to do as Spider-Man's vocal critic.
Even the relationship between Peter and Gwen is more mature -- with Garfield and Stone providing romantic chemistry and simmering sexual energy.
"The Amazing Spider-Man" weaves in slightly riskier elements, and even though the story is familiar it's hand to not get drawn into its own unique web.
"The AMAZING SPIDER-MAN"
* * *
Rating: PG-13 (action, violence)
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Sally Field, Martin Sheen, Denis Leary
Director: Marc Webb
Running time: 2 hours, 18 minutes
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