the amazing spider-man

There be Spidey Spoilers ahead...

The Amazing Spider-man has opened to some fairly moderate reviews and some awesome box office dollars.  Whilst easily besting the dire Spider-man 3, and in my opinion improving upon the opening chapter of the Sam Raimi Trilogy - The Amazing Spider-man probably doesn't quite match up to the overall enjoyability of Spider-man 2.

Given that the last trilogy only wrapped in 2007, it is only natural to compare the two.  Firstly Andrew Garfield is every bit as good as Toby in the titular role.  Emma Stone's Gwen Stacey is a way more engaging and multi-dimensional character than Mary-Jane, played by Kirsten Dunst.  Most importantly The Lizard is several notches above The Green Goblin.  Other notable improvements over the original trilogy include: the flying scenes-which feel alot less CGI; a less cliched emphasis on Peter Parker transforming from geek to hero, and more mystery around Peter Parker's background.  What is most refreshing, is that the film makers have resisted following Batman and taking the franchise in a darker direction- instead they have aimed a little younger, and produced a movie with a lot of fun and humor.

There are also some definite missteps - the crane scene is head smackingly cheesy, the "coincidence" that Gwen both attends his High School and just happens to do tours of OSCORP, is a bit of lazy storytelling, and the Uncle Ben demise felt too obvious and similar to the previous series opener.  It was doubly tragic, because Martin Sheen's Uncle Ben is really good.  Sony product placement is everywhere - even Sony tablets, have IPads not reached NYC?

But these are small issues, in a great, fun movie.


Here are ten of the best moments...

1.  On the subway.  A great scene showing Peter getting to grips with his powers, with an crowd.

2.  In the library.  Part Terminator 2, part Raging Bull,  as Spider-man and the Lizard fight it out in the school library, to the soundtrack of the librarians Sony MP3 player.

3.  Uncle Ben meets Gwen.  Whilst at visiting Peter's school, Uncle Ben recognises that Gwen is the same girl that Peter has as wallpaper on his Sony PC.  He gleefully informs her, in a cute scene.

4.  The bridge.  Whilst rescuing a kid from a blazing car (hanging from a bridge),  he gets the kid to put on his mask and telling him "Put it on – the mask – it'll make you strong"

5.  When Peter goes to dinner at Gwen's family apartment, he gives a spirited defense of the methods of Spider-man, much to the disdain of Gwen's father, NYPD Captain Stacy.

6.  Cityscape.  The scenes where Spider-man is swinging his way thru the New York cityscape are pretty awesome, especially when it is raining.  Probably the best use of 3D since Avatar. 

7.  The Lizard is gunned down, King Kong style, in a hail of machine gun bullets.  Then he rises again...

8.  Meet the parents.  A little glimpse into Peter's past, gives depth to the character & story.

9.  There are a few good scenes that focus on the "relationship" between Flash Thompson and Peter, including Peter's harsh reaction to Flash's condolences;  but the best is their final scene where Flash is wearing a Spider-man tee shirt, subtly showing Peter's triumph over the school bully.

10.  The chemistry between Peter and Gwen is so good, it's hard to pick a best scene.  But a few  stand out in particular, one is on the roof terrace after the troubled dinner at the Stacy household.  The second is right at the end of the movie, where Gwen realises that Peter won't keep his promise not to get involved with her.  Theirs is a relationship that you want to see develop, and this Peter seems less likely to screw it up, than the last one.