The European Advantage
One advantage of living in Europe as of late is that I have been able to see movies before the American release. The Avengers being a prime example of this. I got to see it in Paris some 8 days before the American release. Sounds great. It is but it also has downsides. Seeing the Amazing Spiderman early meant seeing it in German. This is tragic because listening to an actor like Rys Ifans (Dr. Conner) in English is amazing. Hearing an actor who can use his voice so beautifully during a performance is a pleasure. It sucks in German!
However, I did see the film yesterday here. Without further ado here are my thoughts.
The Amazing Spiderman is the best Spidey film to date! It is just as good as Spidey 2 to my mind. So I guess I would call it a tie. But it really is in a lot of ways amazing. Without giving too much away then..
A Spidey like in the Comics
Andrew Garfield makes the film. He gives a great performance. He IS Peter Parker. It is as simple as that. Was anyone else missing the more wise- cracking Spidey from the comics? I was but guess what? He is back in a huge way! There is a fight scene in the film which takes place at Peter's highschool vs the Lizard. Watching Peter going head to head with the Lizard all the while making sly comments and wise cracks was indeed a pleasure. While in action, Spidey also moves a lot more in line with the comics. While wise cracking, he is diving, leaping, and dodging like a true acrobat. I also appreciated watching Spidey use his webbing as a real weapon. This Spidey uses his webbing as true tactical weapon. Something missing in a way from the Rami versions.
The Action
Mark Webb's action sequences are surprisingly easy to follow but effective. In a world where movies often follow the dictates of Transformer like action, it was in a way surprising but refreshing to really follow the fight cheorography.
Spidey as an Intellect
Another great thing about this Parker is he is truly an intellect. It is not enough that he becomes Spidey- inheriting these strange powers, he wants to know why. He does his research (hanging upside down stuck to the wall in his room) studies the theory and then meets Dr.Conner impressing him in the process with his knowledge. Again, much more like the comics. Parker is one smart dude here! Perhaps my favourite sequence of the film is where Spidey is tracking the Lizard through New York's sewer system which is vast. To find him he employs what is essentially science. It was cool to see. The ensuing fight scene was both interesting and enthralling.
Great Emotional Weight
I appreciated Garfields ability to exude true emotional weight. The disappearance of his father never really goes away. It effects him deeply and one sees this. Garfield plays a range of emotions here. A real highschooler, he is at times awkward, confused, sad, and angry. He is also very much in love.
The Love Story
The love story is great! Emma Stone and Garfield have great chemistry. Much more so in some ways than the Parker/ Mary Jane relationship in the Rami films. They play the whole thing with a high degree of honesty. Emma Stone is a far more credible love interest here. Playing the awkwardness of highschool love and being a teen to a T.
Negatives-The Maskless Spidey
I would hate to give the impression the film is perfect, it is not. Some sections of the film drag a bit, the editing is at times strange, and the origin story itself while very well done at times, simply lags.
But my biggest gripe (this may sound strange to some) is a Spidey "Sans mask". Would it be too much to ask to have Spidey keep his mask on? Why must he always take it off? Why does Webb allow him to have it removed? I accepted it during the train sequence in Spiderman 2 but now it is just getting ridiculous. Do you not want to protect your identity? The ending sequence of the film was great but Spidey has his mask off 24/7. I felt like screaming!!!
Grade-8.5/10
Great CBM! Looking forward to the sequel