So now, with a new director (Marc Webb), a new web-head (Andrew Garfield) and leading lady (Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy) and 3D effects, Spider-Man's story is now told once again in The Amazing Spider-Man.
Once again, we have nerdy Peter Parker, who gets super-powers after getting bit by a genetically altered spider. Peter uses his powers for selfish reasons, until it indirectly kills his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen). To find the killer, Peter comes up with his iconic suit and mechanical web-shooter gadgets.
Peter's spider bite inspires one-armed scientist Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans) to come up with a regenerative formula from Lizard DNA. The formula works, but it has the nasty side-effect of turning him into the rampaging Lizard. The Lizard plans to spread his formula across the city, unless Spider-Man can do something about it.
While Spider-Man 3 was overwrought with melodrama, this new Spider-Man finds the right tone between humor and seriousness. On one hand, Peter's new powers cause some hilarious property damage. On the other, they initially leave him highly disadvantaged against gangs of thugs. It's this balance that helps keep the audience interested for the hour or so before Spidey gets his suit on.
As Peter, Andrew Garfield is both likable and believable as the dual-sided teenage superhero. His supporting cast is made up of actors well-chosen for their roles. Among them are Denis Leary, as Gwen's police captain dad, and Martin Sheen and Sally Field (as Aunt May).
And of course, there's the visual effects. Whether in 3D or flatscreen, Spidey's acrobatics'll thrill and excite his 2012 audience just as he did in 2002. Meanwhile, Connors's scary transformation makeup is the best of the film's practical effects.
It may sound like a pointless rehash, but really, that's because Raimi's films are so fresh in audience memories. However, its new spin on the basics make this new adventure a fun ride. And hopefully, it'll leave the audience anticipating where Spidey'll go next.
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