The Amazing Spider-Man Review: More Appealing Compared to Past Spidey Movies, But Stale With Writing Issues - SPOILERS
The Amazing Spider-Man is in theaters and has already broken one box office record for the biggest Tuesday opening of all-time, raking in approximately $35 million. But how was it? (SPOILER ALERT!)
This is the movie about Peter Parker since the first third of the film is Parker in high school, dealing with being a teen then transitioning into how he got bit by a superpower-infused spider. Unfortunately, this origin tale was more or less exactly what it was to be expected. His origin wasn't changed as much as anticipated and should've been summed up much quicker being that moviegoers are only 10 years removed from director Sam Raimi's first Spider-Man movie and know Spidey's origin well.
What was changed was the mystery revolving around Parker's father, his sudden disappearance, his research and if he is still alive. This is the real big change in the telling of this version of Spider-Man and what will drive this franchise reboot forward with sequels.
Everything about Parker was the real draw with a few cool action moments as Spider-Man mixed in. Actor Andrew Garfield plays Parker's awkwardness in a way which mirrors that of the comics and much better than his predecessor, in this journalist's opinion at least. Garfield was much more relatable especially while he is trying to court Gwen Stacey (played by Emma Stone). Parker's Aunt May and Uncle Ben were decent smaller roles, as was Denis Leary's portrayal of Gwen's father, police Captain Stacey.
Where this movie is a let down is the moment The Lizard opens his mouth and talks, which he does way too much and he should have had one or two lines at the most. His brutality and ferociousness was entertaining but that was about it. Dr. Curt Connors (played by Rhys Ifans) was watered down and this is not to say it was bad acting but it seemed to be a case of the villain not being written well in the script.
Even some Spider-Man moments were flaky and stale, especially at the end when he has trouble getting to Oscorp but gets some help in a matter that makes you want to give yourself a 'facepalm.' But there are other scenes which were quite engaging and impressive like when he stops the carjacker and when he's saving innocent people on a bridge while The Lizard is on the rampage. Again, it seems to be a product of moments of great writing mixed with moments of mediocre or perhaps forced writing and it shows on screen.
Yes, there is set up for sequels and it has been confirmed this is Part 1 of a planned trilogy (how original, right?! Sarcasm.). Director Marc Webb still has yet to confirm if he will be back for Spidey's next bout against a villain pool that is obviously going to be generated from within the confines of Oscorp and from their research and experiments.
In the end, The Amazing Spider-Man really jump-starts the franchise back into prominence and it is less campy and cheesy than the three movies before it (again, per the opinion of he who is typing this review). It's worth seeing in the theater once but it doesn't 'amaze' after viewing it nor does it make you want to go back to the theater and see it again.
7 out of 10