THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN
US, 2012, 136 minutes, Colour.
Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Campbell Scott, Embeth Davitz, C.Thomas Howell, Irfan Khan.
Directed by Marc Webb.
Lots of pre-publicity for this ‘re-booting’ of the Spiderman franchise. Tobey Maguire did his dash in three Spiderman movies between 2002 and 2007, all very successful. So, the question does arise, why a new round of Spiderman films so soon? One of the answers is that this version gives more background to Peter Parker and his family than the previous films. It is likened to Batman Begins, giving new life to Christopher Nolan’s trilogy of Dark Knight blockbusters. But, Peter Parker’s origins are far less dramatic and spectacular.
We see Peter as a little boy when his parents suddenly disappear after entrusting him to his uncle and aunt (Martin Sheen and Sally Field). Then we find him as a student in his final year at High School, a rather diffident young man, of kindly disposition, looking a bit of a nerd – but he defends students from bullies and wins the sympathy of Gwen Stacey, popular at school (Emma Stone). So far, so ordinary enough, with Andrew Garfield creating a new image of Peter Parker which we are able to accept pretty soon.
Peter is a wiz at science as was his father whose satchel and papers he finds. He also tracks down his father’s science partner (Rhys Ifans – who used to be a Notting Hill lout but has become a serious actor, as with his Earl of Oxford in Anonymous). Visiting the high tech lab of spiders for cross species experiments, he is bitten by a spider – and we know what happens. His turning into Spiderman is presented more realistically as he studies spider bites on line, develops a strong cable… But, his discovery of his superhuman strength is played for some welcome broad comedy.
Once Peter gets into action as Spiderman and designing and making his costume, the film flattens out a bit, not that there is not a lot of action. But, the film does show how his first motivations are selfish (as he is warned by Uncle Ben) and an enjoyment of his powers. Then he starts helping people – and the police chief (Denis Leary, sardonic as usual) brands him a vigilante. A bit awkward since the police chief is Gwen’s father.
In the meantime, the scientist, pressured by commercial interests, begins experiments on himself and he transforms into a giant lizard. Some this is a bit corny, even silly, the scientist turning into Dr Jekyll and Mr Godzilla. The latter part of the film is the monster vs Spiderman. Peter gets wounded a bit and has to deal with some diminishing powers and rely on Gwen and her father.
The film ends as expected but with an intra-credits setting up of a sequel.
Because it is not so surprising as the earlier films, it is not quite a standout entertainment, but it should satisfy its many audiences.
- A new re-iteration of Spiderman? With Andrew Garfield stepping in? Audiences accepting him, liking him?
- The city settings, school, family, science laboratories, the police, crime as Spiderman’s interventions? The special effects, transformations, Peter and his ability to climb like a spider, the confrontation of criminals, the final confrontation with The Lizard?
- A film of origins? Going back to the family, Peter as a boy, his relationship with his parents, his scientist father, government work, documents, disappearance? Interested in the care of his uncle and aunt? Growing up, good as science, discovering his father’s papers, the mystery?
- Peter, the end of school, his friendship with Gwen? His meeting with his father scientist co-worker, being bitten by the spider, is studying up spider bites and consequences, the discovery of his powers, the cable, his costume?
- Gwen, her personality, the bond with Peter, her father and the police, approval and disapproval?
- Peter, the tradition of films about his crime-fighting, action sequences? And the police?
- Peter and his discoveries, his father’s friend, the visits, discussions, the character of the scientist who was to become The Lizard, ambitions, experiments, transformation, hostility?
- Peter, the characters of his uncle Ben, aunt May, the characters, wisdom, continued support?
- The buildup to the confrontation, special effects, action, the confrontation with The Lizard, the battle, the police help, Gwen?
- A satisfying first episode in the reboot – and anticipation of the sequel?
