TQS StaffMarc Webb directs this ‘reboot’ that grounds this superhero into our reality, but shrouds him in mystery and emotion. Here is our Amazing Spider-man film review:
Webb keeps the plot close to the comic book narratives which offers a lot more depth than the latest films given to us by Sam Raimi. The part-British actor, Andrew Garfield delivers a fantastic performance as a complex Peter Parker/ Spider-Man as he searches for answers to the mystery surrounding his parents.
This film takes us back to the origin of Spider-Man with the promise of giving us an untold story. What is revealed to us is a dark background that provides us with an emotionally disturbed Peter Parker who is an outsider. This reboot also takes us back to Peter’s first love Gwen Stacey (Emma Stone), which seems to be the main focus of the film sidelining the appearance of Spider-Man’s first great adversary, the tragic villain, the Lizard (Rhys Ifans). However, this untold story leaves much to be told, leaving the audience excited, or perhaps frustrated, as a sequel is inevitable.
The Amazing Spider-Man focuses it’s energy on the characterization of Peter Parker/ Spider-Man. This is a film about identity as the film tells us that there is only one story and that is ‘who am I?’ Peter seems to have an identity dilemma, after he is bitten by a spider, which is notably considered to be classed as feminine raising the question of cross gender genetics as he flaunts around in spandex suits which signify the fluidity of identity. The film, however, focuses on the lack of patriarchal support or guidance, which as we all know from past comic books and their films that this means only one thing, that he becomes a vigilante to society. Therefore, we are given a lead character who lives on the edge of law and society and who fights for a very existentialist personal cause which is driven by his guilt complex. This dark and mysterious Peter is, therefore, a troubled teenager who wears a mask which in fact holds more essence than the face beneath it.
This re-invented Spider-Man holds more depth than the past attempts which makes him more desirably identifiable to the audience. This hero is a projection of our fears in our society, the lack of control we have over other people, but also represents our admiration and aspiration to be able to control ourselves as he does his self. It seems that with the recent influx of Superheroes to the big screen that we, in society, feel like we need a hero to save us or that we need to escape into fantasy in order to escape from our own reality.
Webb offers us a Spider-Man with depth and reasoning that audiences can identify with, alongside scenes that are filled with emotion, which makes the film very powerful to watch. However, alongside all this character development, that gives us a more fully rounded Peter Parker/ Spider-Man, there is also a lot of action. This film looks fantastic in IMAX in 3D and has been beautifully shot. The CGI that was used for the lizard is a little questionable, but you should not let that put you off as the film has been made with delicacy and looks phenomenal on the big screen, in particular those point of view shots that give you a stomach turning experience and leave you breathless. This film is beautiful to watch which makes it easy to let the not so witty comments slide.
The Amazing Spider-Man is a brilliant film, by a director with limited experience in action. This film has a serious bite to it as it meets and surpasses expectations, despite leaving questions unanswered. The fantastic performance by a fantastic cast makes this film great. The Amazing Spider-Man should definitely not be missed as it gives us a fresh insight into the intricate web of Peter Parker’s/Spider-Man’s identity.
Written by Shirley Welton who also blogs at Beyond the Edges of the Frame
