Cast: Andrew Garfield, Sally Fields, Martin Sheen, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Irrfan Khan
Director: Marc Webb
Rating: 3/5
A Visual treat- Faster, Better and Edgy!
The movie opens with Peter Parker as a young boy, watching as his parents rush out of the house in response to unseen danger. Mr. and Mrs. Parker leave their son in the care of his Aunt May (Sally Fields) and Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen), who raises him into Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) who is geeky yet fresh spin on the character. Parker's a science whiz kid, but faces the challenges of everyday life- passing classes, being bullied by class mates, talking to girls but all of his life's woes are put on hold when the teen discovers a new clue in the mystery behind his parents' disappearance.
Parker is no miserable super-nerd, but a skateboarder who has no trouble in seizing ladies attention. The central love interest in the film isn't girl-next-door Mary Jane Watson, but the significantly attractive Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone really spark to one another in their scenes together. Director Webb is aided by a terrific performance from Andrew Garfield, who brings a cordial and composed screen presence that allows him to negotiate the often-comical anxiety of the superhero plotline. At the same time, Webb also delivers unarguable ability for the more traditional action elements of the story, and the 3D certainly helps. Accurately, he pulls off a number of repulsive shots as Parker dives off skyscrapers, shoots his webs, rescues kids from falling, and the like.
Parker’s discovery of his dad’s old briefcase and notes leads him to Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), who plays father figure to him and his soon to be enemy Dr. Curt Connors(The Lizard), a scientist working for mega-conglomerate Oscorp and his Dad's old partner. When they cross paths, Connors instantly obtain a fondness to the Whiz kid, and loops him into the work he started with his father. But when Parker wanders into Oscorp's room full of spiders, he receives his legendary spider bite that transforms him into the hero we identify.
The film is a blend of action and emotion, which makes it notable and enjoyable. Webb controls of mood and texture is flawless as his film switches from teenage sulks to thrilling airborne sparkler. “The Amazing Spider-Man” manages to be both a modern retelling of Spider-Man’s origin and the most faithful adaptation of those early comics we’ve seen thus far. In the end, “The Amazing Spider-Man” is a balanced mix of bright, dark, fun and edgy, fast-moving just like its hero.