The Amazing Spider-Man -- A Movie Relaunch Review
The summer blockbuster season seems to be in an apathetic mood. The excitement has waned and the anticipation of a breakout season wanting. So, when I decided to go see The Amazing Spider-Man movie for my birthday weekend delight, I was hoping for more than a just okay movie experience. Denis Leary did his usual excellent job of acting, and, it was a pleasant surprise to Sally Field and Martin Sheen in the roles of Aunt Mae and Uncle Ben. Yet, as a veteran movie goer, I felt a bit lost -- in the since of a cultural ennui -- in that -- the urgency, and, the intensity never seemed to register as suspenseful or heart wrenching enough to feel Peter Parker aka Spiderman's angst.
The story, a recreation of the alternative Spiderman realities, does not compel the viewers to fully immerse themselves in the reality of the movie. Oh, to be sure the screenplay by James Vanderbilt, Alvin Sargent, and Steve Kloves was put together well and the emotional triggers are there, (and even with the music by James Horner), the story comes across a bit sterile. The direction by Marc Webb seems to be stunted and like the character of Peter Parker not quite self-confident enough to bring the full force of the Spiderman to the screen.
Spiderman is a coming of age story. A transition into adulthood and the reconciliation of pain from the past and the future pain to come. It is also a morality story regarding responsibility and the action of one's role within their community. The emotional payoff in terms of Uncle Ben's death or the direction of the story as being key never seems to come to full fruition. There is no signatory line with "great power comes great responsibility" even though there is a moment, when Uncle Ben tries to convey Peter Parker's morality code for community and the well being for others.
(Spoiler Alert)
The morality code is lost in translation for community and the well being others; and, the closest it gets to be shown is the uniting of the crane operators helping Spider-Man reach the Osborne's tower.
Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone do their best to re-create the magic of Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) and Peter Parker(Toby Maguire) kiss, but falls flat. To be honest, the magical kiss of 2002 Spiderman came across more natural and not forced. The "kiss" for the 2012 Spiderman, if you will, came across forced and unnatural and trying to drive the point home that these two people belonged together. It is the after kiss that comes across most natural, when Emma Stone's character understands that Peter Parker is Spiderman and she is in "trouble" for having feelings for the "bad boy." Does the chemistry between Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield work otherwise? Absolutely. The chemistry between the two is well displayed throughout the movie.
Unfortunately for director Marc Webb despite his good job overall, the movie is nothing more than a place holder for the sequels to come. The sense of jeopardy is not compelled well enough for any of the primary characters -- and yes Spiderman does get his behind kicked, but one ultimately knows that he will rebound. With all the above said, The Amazing Spider-Man is good family fun and enjoyable, just be sure to see it for the matinee price before the evening sun sets.
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| Image from Columbia Pictures |
Spiderman is a coming of age story. A transition into adulthood and the reconciliation of pain from the past and the future pain to come. It is also a morality story regarding responsibility and the action of one's role within their community. The emotional payoff in terms of Uncle Ben's death or the direction of the story as being key never seems to come to full fruition. There is no signatory line with "great power comes great responsibility" even though there is a moment, when Uncle Ben tries to convey Peter Parker's morality code for community and the well being for others.
(Spoiler Alert)
The morality code is lost in translation for community and the well being others; and, the closest it gets to be shown is the uniting of the crane operators helping Spider-Man reach the Osborne's tower.
Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone do their best to re-create the magic of Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) and Peter Parker(Toby Maguire) kiss, but falls flat. To be honest, the magical kiss of 2002 Spiderman came across more natural and not forced. The "kiss" for the 2012 Spiderman, if you will, came across forced and unnatural and trying to drive the point home that these two people belonged together. It is the after kiss that comes across most natural, when Emma Stone's character understands that Peter Parker is Spiderman and she is in "trouble" for having feelings for the "bad boy." Does the chemistry between Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield work otherwise? Absolutely. The chemistry between the two is well displayed throughout the movie.
Unfortunately for director Marc Webb despite his good job overall, the movie is nothing more than a place holder for the sequels to come. The sense of jeopardy is not compelled well enough for any of the primary characters -- and yes Spiderman does get his behind kicked, but one ultimately knows that he will rebound. With all the above said, The Amazing Spider-Man is good family fun and enjoyable, just be sure to see it for the matinee price before the evening sun sets.
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