REVIEW | The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Do you think you need to watch a Spider-Man reboot? Is it even necessary? Only five years have passed since the end of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man movie trilogy and yet the Marvel superhero's story starts all over again on the big screen-- this time lanky British actor Andrew Garfield (The Social Network; Never Let Me Go) replacing Tobey Maguire as the webslinger.

In The Amazing Spider-Man, we are told an already familiar story: how Spider-Man came to be...only this time, we are provided with more details. Seventeen-year-old social outcast Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), orphaned at such a young age, grew up with his uncle (Martin Sheen) and aunt (Sally Field) in a quiet suburban neighborhood...but his past is kept a secret from him. One day, Peter discovers a clue about his father's mysterious work, leading him to Oscorp lab to meet the one-armed Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans). There, Peter is bitten by a radioactive spider...that will change his life forever.

Director Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer) and writers Steve Ditko, Stan Lee, James Vanderbilt weave a Spider-Man story that is more human than superhero, more emotional than showy. And with a more dramatic approach, the film is much more realistic. Here is a Spider-Man movie that is more Peter Parker than Spider-Man-- we are given more insight into Peter's personality, his teenage struggles, his first love experience with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), and how he shapes himself to become the amazing Spider-Man. Spider-Man fans will like Garfield as the new webslinger, as the 28-year-old actor gives a more Spidey personality, proving his versatility as an actor by delivering a believable performance as a socially awkward and vulnerable teenager who discover the thrills, the risks, and responsibilities of his newly acquired spider powers. 

There are a few dull moments and the humor can only elicit tiny chuckles, but the film smoothly transitions from a Peter Parker backgrounder into superhero-versus-villain action scenes as Spider-Man eventually finds himself face-to-face with the menacing Lizard...until we are brought to the breathtaking climax of the film where we are treated to watching Spider-Man in a flawless and beautifully choreographed display of aerial spider-acrobatics in night-time Manhattan, including exhilarating shots from his POV. The film score is sometimes off, downplaying some significant scenes but it's nevertheless compensated by a nice cinematography and engaging action scenes. Also, a giant lizard and a human-spider going at each other's throats in New York City unexpectedly provides a real sense of suspense and danger.

With a streamlined screenplay, unpretentious and clear narrative, The Amazing Spider-Man turns out be a necessary reboot after all, as the film will take fans on a different Spider-Man experience...and this movie might just spawn a whole new and exciting Spider-Man series on the big screen. Fans, prepare to be bitten.

3.5 out of 5 stars

In Philippine theaters June 29, 2012