Overall Rating:
Grade: B
Score: 7.5/10
Family-Friendliness Scale: Level 3 (Good)
Kids ages 12+
Kids ages 12+
What would you do if you got bit by a radioactive spider?
Based on the popular comic book, this reboot tells the story of Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), a rebellious teen who leads a priority-free life, except for finding out the truth about the disappearance of his parents. Left under the care of Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field), Peter soon visits OSCORP headquarters in order to investigate. He ends up visiting Dr. Connors, who is working on a serum that can make the human race stronger. However, as a man with only one arm, he injects himself and turns into The Lizard, who causes destruction all over town. Meanwhile, Peter tries to win over Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) and also tries not to reveal his identity, at all costs.
Positive Notes
First and foremost, this particular Spider-Man does a good job at trying to live up to the previous trilogy. Some plotlines are borrowed from the first film, and there are a few elements that bring to mind a scene or two from that same film. But it doesn't linger on it for very long, immediately after, we see something that reminds us that this is not the original film. And I think that's an excellent way to twist the story.
The visual effects are amazing. They improve leaps in bounds over their predecessors with realistic precision. The cast does a fairly decent job, with Field, Stone, Garfield, and Sheen giving sincerity to their roles. James Horner delivers an exciting music score. As for positive messages, there are several statements and examples on true heroism, growing up, giving of yourself, and loyalty.
Negative Notes
Usually, we'd expect the typical bloodless, cartoonish violence in a superhero film. And while majority of it does retain that expectation, there are a few bloody moments. Comparing it to the previous trilogy, the violence is a bit more intense. Two characters are killed and seen bleeding profusely, a mouse's remains are seen on a desk briefly, and Spider-Man is given gashes by the Lizard's claws. These scenes are too intense for elementary-schoolers.
There are also a few mild profanities (Three h-words, one d-word and a-word, and the terms "Mother Hubbard" and "freakin" are used as stand-ins) and a half-dozen misuses of God's name. In context, the romance is innocent, but Peter and Gwen kiss a few times (a couple of times quite passionately). Peter also lies and breaks promises throughout the film.
Conclusion
Prior to seeing this, I did watch the previous three Spider-Man movies. They were decent movies, but nowhere near my favorites list. Out of all three, I liked the second one the best, the first one was OK, but the third one was actually pretty creepy (in my opinion, this one was more like the second one).
This particular Spider-Man does offer more of the same as the first three. And if you're able to put aside the extensive violence, its' actually pretty clean compared to similar superhero flicks. There's much less profanity, adult jokes are nowhere to be found, sexuality is never considered, and there's no references to any kind of spirituality or drinking/drugs.
Now that doesn't mean that this one is more for kids, than say, The Avengers. Because the violence has been turned up a couple of notches from the earlier movies, and while its' not as creepy as the scary transformation of Topher Grace into Venom, it still may very well scare off any potential new, young fans the franchise is hoping to get with this film.
I do miss Tobey Maguire, as he was a much more easy-going and humble Peter Parker. And while Andrew Garfield still did a fine job, his version of Peter Parker isn't nearly as lovable and honest as what I've come to expect from the character. So he doesn't fill Maguire's shoes. Also, I was wondering where Mary Jane Watson was and how other villains would fit into this potential series in the near future.
So, while I'm still not a big fan of the character, The Amazing Spider-Man still delivers enough thrills, spills, and chills to make it one of the better films starring the web-slinger.
