"The Amazing Spider-Man" (2012) REVIEW

With the sequel over the horizon in the States, what better time to review The Amazing Spider-Man?

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is a teenage boy who, on a trip to the Oscorp science facility, gets bit by a genetically engineered spider that grants him powers such as super-strength, agility, and a sixth sense that warns him of danger. First using his powers irresponsibly, Peter pays a hard price when his Uncle Ben is shot and killed by a thug he could have of easily stopped. Driven by his guilt, Peter becomes a crime fighter with the motto "With great power comes great responsibility." However, sometimes helping everyone you can isn't the best choice.

The Amazing Spider-Man is a reboot to the Spider-Man trilogy starring Tobey Maguire and directed by Sam Raimi. Both origin stories have a different feel to them, but the recent reboot is more true to the comics than the original trilogy. As far as whether one is better to the other, it just goes to taste preference.

The Amazing Spider-Man has a much more realistic tone than its predecessor, with Marc Webb (director of 500 Days of Summer) creating a tolerable high school love story and action sequences that are truly amazing. Even with some faults such as continuity errors, production plot holes, and taking its time with the pacing (I was not bothered by the pacing, but I have heard people complain), The Amazing Spider-Man is a great superhero origin movie, especially for fans of the comics or dislikers of the Tobey Maguire trilogy.

4/5 Stars

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Kevin Lau

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