“the amazing spider-man” film review

While I did record a video review mere moments after I left the theater, I don’t feel it’s up to par for sharing just yet. In the background there were too many explosions, swashbucklings, and there was a dragon that almost ate my car… (all captured on my camera of course) but the audio was bad. I may change my mind and end up uploading it to YouTube and adding it to this post. With that said, let’s continue as if no one will ever witness that incredible video.

The Amazing Spider-Man is a reboot of the Spider-Man film franchise started a decade ago. Wow, I’m getting old. Andrew Garfield picks up the mask this time around to retell the origin of the famous web slinger.

One of the first questions I was asked was how does this film compare to the “original” back in 2002. My answer: it’s complicated. I still feel it was too early to do a reboot but I will also admit that this film feels fresh enough to set itself apart from the previous films. The obvious changes are the actors and director. When it comes to plot, the major difference is the story deals a bit more with Peter Parker’s dead parents, and features Parker’s first love interest (according to the comics) Gwen Stacy. (Read my analysis here)

1000 kudos to Emma Stone, who can do no wrong in my book. Makes me a tad jealous Garfield is dating her in real life. But their onscreen chemistry is great and watching them flirt reminded my of my own high school butterflies when it came to talking to girls I admired. But enough about me…

The baddie this go around was the Lizard, a villain I knew little about other than the cartoons. Excellent job by the special effects and character development.

So allow me to address the 3D vs 2D here… I opted for 2D last night and I was perfectly satisfied. I heard through message boards that 3D is only worth watching for the 2nd half of the film where the action sequences are. As most avid movie goers do, we compare it to Avatar, and the reviews that I read said it wasn’t worth it. However, one did recommend IMAX. So overall, save those extra dollars and go for the 2D unless you are going to IMAX, then go all out.

There is one post credits scene, so if your theater tricks you and turns up the lights when “Directed by Marc Webb” shows up, stay put. When the credits really roll, that’s when you can roll.

Should you even bother to see this in theaters? Yes. And bring the kids too. Swearing is a bare minimum (I would show this at my church), and there is obviously some violence and death (spoiler alert: someone very special to someone else dies). Great comedy, drama, romance, and action… fun for all, so go out and enjoy!

Also, if the theater you go to has a reaction towards Stan Lee’s cameo, let me know in the comments! I want to know if it’s just a midnight premiere thing.