Review 2012 by RD Clark
The Amazing Spiderman
Written by: James Vanderbilt, Alvin Sargent, Steve Kloves
Directed by: Marc Webb
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Denis Leary,
Rhys Ifans, Irrfan Khan
Rated PG-13
A brilliant nerdy high school student gets bitten by a radioactive, er genetically modified, well, some kind of weird spider and starts going through some radical changes. Seeking revenge for his uncle’s murder, he inadvertently becomes a crime fighter and earns the ire of the cops. Meanwhile, a brilliant geneticist is going through some changes of his own while trying to regenerate his arm. This causes mayhem as the two clash over some classic comic book-style disagreements of right and wrong.
This movie was quite enjoyable. Sally Field, while not really looking like Aunt May, was superb in the role, as was Martin Sheen as Uncle Ben. Garfield plays a Peter Parker that is more outgoing than the comic hero (he is not a bit afraid to kiss the girl), and Emma Stone is marvelous as Gwen Stacy. Denis Leary was perfect as her dad (the cop) and Rhy Ifans was very good as the conflicted Doctor Connors. The fights are fierce and fearsome and the web slinging is exhilarating indeed. I did think Spidey’s mask came off way too much and it did take too long to get the costumed Spiderman fully into the movie; the buildup was a bit too long. But my main problem was with the Lizard. He looked stupid and I didn’t buy him for a minute. Why they had to change him from the comic form to this — actually almost handsome — monster is beyond me.
Well, they never ask me about these things and maybe it’s just as well; WTF do I know? I’ll recommend this one. I just hope they’re not out Dibs when you go. I had to settle for Junior mints.
Oh, and about thirty seconds or so into the credits, there is a quick scene. Nothing after that. I waited so you wouldn’t have to. It’s what I do.
Flytrap rating: 7 / 10
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