The Amazing Spider-Man Film Review

July 6, 2012
By: Frederica Palmer

This 2012 franchise remake sees the gorgeous Andrew Garfield (The Social Network and Never Let Me Go) undertake the role of Peter Parker- a geeky high school senior who, following a fluke accident, develops superhuman qualities, transforming him into none other than The Amazing Spider-Man.

Having lost his parents at a young age, Parker finds a briefcase that eventually helps him uncover the mysterious circumstances in which his parents went missing all those years ago. His journey soon collides with that of Dr. Curt Connors, his father’s former business partner and a scientist hell bent on creating a world without weakness. Whilst working with Dr. Connors, played by the brilliant Rhys Ifans (Anonymous and The Boat That Rocked), Parker is of course, bitten by a radioactive spider. However, when Connors crosses that dangerously thin line between good and evil and threatens the safety of us all, it’s time for Parker’s journey to truly begin.

Director Mark Webb (500 Days of Summer) puts a fresh new spin on this well known tale by focusing the films narrative on Parker’s childhood in this modern day revamp, undeniably more fun than the 2002 original. Garfield tackles the daunting task of modernising Peter Parker fantastically as we see him transform into a somewhat reckless high school teenager who wants nothing more than to capture the heart of Gwen Stacey, played by the magnificent Emma Stone (The Help and Easy A). The script is unexpectedly humorous and surprisingly witty and Stan Lee’s traditional guest appearance is probably his best yet!

Despite his best efforts, Webb can’t mask the fact that this same story was told just ten years ago. And whilst Ifans portrays the mad genius that is Dr. Curt Connors fantastically, the fact that he turns into an evil green lizard makes for a disappointing villain. Marvel have been somewhat premature with this remake and would probably have been better off waiting another decade and instead enjoying the profound success that was The Avengers.

The Amazing Spider-Man is highly entertaining and well worth a watch, especially if you fancy seeing Garfield on the big screen in an almost illegally tight fitting spandex suit! However, those of you who suffer from arachnophobia be warned, the spiders get a lot more screen time in this version!

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You can watch the trailer here.