Web of intrigue

Apart from brand milking the reboot of the franchise, The Amazing Spider-Man is probably the most unnecessary movie of the year.

It was only five years ago when Tobey Maguire starred as the arachnid superhero in the third of the series, plastering his annoying face on cinema screens around the world and some would say, it’s a hard act to follow. But that didn’t stop Marc Webb from taking a swing over director Sami Raimi and taking off with a surprisingly successful, well-cast reboot.

This time around the story opens with the young Peter Parker and his parents, who after experiencing a break-in targeting his famous scientist father’s research, abandon Peter, leaving him to be raised in the good hands of Aunt May (Sally Field) and Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen).

Skip a few years later and the awkward high school student is trying to figure out his place in the world. Peter comes across his father’s briefcase in the basement, which uncovers secrets that lead him to Dr Curt Connors (Ifans), his father’s former partner.

Connors, the one-armed scientist, is studying cross-genetic manipulation to find a way to scientifically regenerate his missing limb by grafting the DNA of a lizard. But he’s missing a key formula, which Peter manages to identify from his father’s research.

After getting carried away with his obsession with cross genetics, Connors discovers a dangerous formula which he ends up injecting into himself, transforming him into a giant lizard.

When the lizard/man unleashes itself on the public, Peter goes on a quest to save New York from its wrath and takes it upon himself to put an end to the destruction in the city.

Although I expected more from Spider-Man, when Stan Lee and Steve Ditko created the character in 1962, they must have had Andrew Garfield in mind. Brushing-off any memory of Tobey Maguire, Garfield gives the viewer the perfect quirky do-gooder, who’s trapped in an awkward teen’s body, churning with angst and rage.

Webb uses visual effects, which were obviously not available during the first three films, giving a seamless display of action that keeps the audience totally engaged. Although, it did take almost an hour for the real excitement to begin, when it came, they captured the comic nature that the films needed to offer, with excellent Spidey fights and flying scenes.

Having said this, the promotional campaign of the ‘untold’ story of Spider-Man left me disappointed. The same story of the loner Peter Parker falling for the cute girl Gwen Stacy (Stone), gets bitten by a radioactive spider and must save the city from destruction and you know the rest … you really do. There’s not much you can do with a predictable plot and in this case, there was nothing new.

In addition, the corny lines and the love story had me cringing in my seat. ‘I’ve been bitten’ explains Peter to Gwen in which she replies, ‘so have I!’ followed by a cheesy Hollywood kiss … cue, eye roll.

Although the film seemed to drag and needed to focus less on the love story, Webb spins the perfect web for Spider-Man lovers to indulge into the world of Peter Parker.

If you’re looking for cracking action and upgraded visual effects from the previous films, as well as new faces to revive the franchise, then take a bite because The Amazing Spider-Man offers exactly this.

*Showing in Dana Cineplex