What works with The Amazing Spider-Man (henceforth TASM) is Webb finally offers a more plausible and enticing film that asks the question of just why exactly such an introverted and socially awkward character like Peter Parker; chooses to go down the path to become a superhero like Spider-Man?
For the most part, the story is a satisfying introduction to this new universe and it's players. Andrew Garfield's Peter Parker is a far more dynamic, engaging and entertaining character than what Maguire's was in the previous trilogy. When he finally gets round to wearing the all familiar red and blue suit; he finally, finally adds the cockiness and brash attitude the character has had since the sixties (although I wish there was more wisecracks) but also, one the flip-side of things; he can be a trusting and very...well, heroic character. There's one scene midway through on the Williamsberg Bridge which easily, portrays Spidey at his absolute best in the medium of film and is the moment you sit and realise "This guy really is Spider-Man".
Differing on heroics, Peter's on-screen interactions with Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy make-up a significant portion of the story and yes, like everyone else; the chemistry between the two is more than apparent (there's one particular scene with the pair early on at school that, for the life of me, looks completely un-scripted).
For the parts of the film where 'shippers aren't concerned; Stone more than easily fills the role of love interest and thankfully steers well clear of the damsel in distress trope that became laughable in Raimi's trilogy.
In-fact, the entire cast has solid performances throughout. Martin Sheen's Uncle Ben is naturally only in the film for the first third, but portrays an intensely likeable blue-collar father-figure that surprisingly differs from the often docile and overtly friendly incarnation in the comics. Sally Fields plays a more feisty if a far, far too naive Aunt May (adopted son comes home every day with bruises? IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE!).
Dennis Leary plays an almost secondary antagonist/hero with a shade of grey as Captain Stacy. Although he's there in a few of the last action sequences, possibly his best scene is his initial meeting with Peter which makes for some engaging, if uncomfortable viewing. Although a semi-interesting character, he kinda gets lost in the shuffle, although as the story progresses, as does his character arc which reaches a satisfying conclusion
As for your straight-up antagonist; the long awaited Lizard finally rears his way into the medium of film with some-what strange results. One the plus side, Rhys Ifans gives us his take on the whole "Jekyll & Hyde" portrayal of the character and it works for his first few appearances, but descends into pure villainy by the end (and spoilers here: back again to good at the very end for...I have no idea).
Of course I did have several smaller gripes that mainly stem from the radical shift from the comics the film is based on. The big two being the emphasis on Peter's parents which is introduced as the driving force of the plot early on, but gets quickly dropped once Peter starts revelling in his new powers...but then reintroduced again during the credits of all places.
Another being the jump from the singular conflicts with The Lizard to the rapid jump to save an entire city. This also happens in Batman Begins, except there, it had far better pacing and wasn't too radical a shift in progression. Here, it's a few scraps and then a threat to take over the city, in the space of half an hour.
And of course; the mask comes off far too much. Yes, we get it, it's hard to have a character emote to the audience when they are covered head to toe in spandex, but it's also pretty bad that I keep wondering just why someone never has a chance to take Spidey's photo and possibly end the film in it's tracks.
But these are smaller gripes in the grand-scheme of things and on the whole, TASM is a solid debut for the new status quo of Marvel's most popular hero. It has some great action scenes, very, very good CGI, a mostly well-written story that screams for a sequel sooner rather than later and a solid cast of characters that will keep you entertained throughout.
It's not perfect, there hopefully may be a time when we call a Spidey film Spectacular, but maybe, just maybe, the term Amazing might suffice.
8/10
H
@retcon_nation
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