It’s amusing that the man at the helm of the new ‘Spider-Man’ movie is called Marc Webb! From an independently made love story (500 Days of Summer) to a pulsating action drama, Webb has created a rollercoaster ride that is exactly what you want from the movies.
There are thrills, laughs, emotional quotient, romance, good guys, bad guys and the promise of a sequel. You come out feeling satisfied, even if the 3D is gratuitous.
Based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ revisits and reinterprets Peter Parker’s story. Going back to his childhood and moving forward to his high school years when he finds something that might help him understand what happened to his parents. At around the same time, he gets the life-changing spider bite that infuses him with superpowers.
The franchise is completely revitalized by a fabulous new actor in the red and blue spandex unitard and mask. Andrew Garfield, best known for his performance in ‘The Social Network’, is superb in the role. He shares the right chemistry with Emma Stone as his high school sweetheart Gwen Stacy. Rhys Ifans plays Dr. Curt Connors, Peter’s father’s former partner, who transforms to the dreaded Lizard. Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Martin Sheen and Sally Field lend support.
As for Irrfan Khan, he plays a small role a a scientist at OsCorp, the company that is exploring genetic mutation. Limited to three scenes, Khan turns in a respectable performance.
You root for Spider-Man as he whoops and swings across skyscrapers, outwits bad guys and yet shows his vulnerability. Garfield brings a new rhythm to the character and a vulnerability which is believable. The special effects are sharp and by the end you can only hope that Spidey will be back, because we’ve certainly not had enough of Andrew Garfield.
Rating: ****
