FILM REVIEW: The Amazing Spider-Man

By now, you probably won’t require much in the way of an introduction to the story of Spider-Man, especially if you watched the 2002 version with Tobey Maguire in Spidey’s suit.

Just in case, both versions follow Peter Parker and his discovery of spider-like powers after being bitten by an angry arachnid.

In this version, which opens on Thursday in the UAE, Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) is the wonderful web slinger and the love interest, Gwen Stacy, is taken up by Hollywood sweetheart Emma Stone (The Help, Crazy Stupid Love).

The main question that this reviewer needed answering when sitting down to watch the movie was, did it really need to be re-made?

The answer is no. But I would certainly have been happy if it had gazumped the original and been made instead. Garfield’s emotional range and twitchy boyish charm pushes the bar higher than Maguire was able to swing to.

Meanwhile the love story is enjoyable fare and, just like the movie’s 3D filming, jumps out of the screen - Garfield and Stone have been an item since falling for each other on set.

There are a few plot coincidences that need to be overlooked, such as the convenience of Gwen being both science geek, revered intern to Dr Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), and daughter of Police Captain Stacy (Denis Leary).

When it comes to the action, the film is on par with the 2002 Spidey. It is, though, the darker elements, particularly Ifans literal downward spiral into the sewers below and becoming The Lizard, that give the story a grittier, up-to-date feel.

Whereas other recent reboots, namely Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’ and Martin Campbell’s ‘Casino Royale’, have gone full rough-edged rogue and been applauded for it, ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ only strays into this territory before swinging back down safer, more quip-filled avenues.

A valiant effort overall and if you’re not all superheroed out after ‘The Avengers’ then ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ may just swing its way into your heart.

julian.pletts@7days.ae