The Amazing Spider-Man

Excelsior! The latest Spidey reboot hits and misses, but is still a super-fun ride. 

The Amazing Spider-Man

Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father's former partner. [imdb]

Rated PG-13. 136 minutes. Starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Dennis Leary, Martin Sheen and Sally Field. Directed by Marc Webb.

Nicole: So, Cassidy. It would seem I can’t get enough quality comic book hero time this summer – and I’m in luck, ‘cause apparently there’s no shortage of adaptations and sequels. Some people might think that it was a little soon for a reboot of the Spider-Man series, since the Tobey McGuire series is so fresh in everyone’s minds. And, that may be so.

elizabeth: I hope you are not going to try to convince me that this is a period film because of the costumes. Now Colin Firth in tights might get me into the theater – or arrested for breaking into his London home. Adaptations and sequels – does the literal translation mean – we haven’t had an original idea for a movie since phone booths were on nearly every corner in this country (and not for Superman to go stripping in).

Andrew Garfield, the latest to don the uniform, does a fine job.

Nicole: I miss the good old days of phone booths -- for stripping in. Now, I’m not saying this flick ain't worth your 12 bucks. It is. And, it’s enjoyable. But there’s something missing, though I can’t quite say just what. Perhaps it had something to do with all the backend editing in post-production. Perhaps it was the choice of villains (Lizard isn’t exactly polarizing or all that frightening – and frankly, Rhys Ifans (Dr. Connors) deserved to play a more compelling villain as he’s certainly got the chops to master one).

elizabeth: A lizard takes over Manhattan? Send him down to any subway station – our rats will take care of it. Girl gets Spider-Man in her web. Fade to black.

Emma Stone and Garfield create on-screen (and off-screen) sparks.

Nicole: LOL. Yea, any NYC Rat King could likely undo this villain, but I digress. So, Cassidy,  you know how Emma Stone (Gwen Stacey) and Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker/Spider-Man) became an item on the set of this movie? Yea, well – the chemistry is pretty obvious. That’s why their scenes together are so convincing. Shame there wasn’t more of them. At times, the movie felt rushed to hit key plot points, and then at times it felt like it was wasting time covering the same surface. I found myself wondering what better use could have been made of that time. And that kind of brought me out of the film, when instead, I should have been riveted.

elizabeth: I think I will continue to boycott these rehashed movies until Hollywood understands that the fate of this country rests on original scripts. Or me getting my meds adjusted. Again.

Martin Sheen and Sally Fields perplexed by their nephew's odd new behavior.

Nicole: Pah-lease, H-wood hire a writer to pen something original? Not bloody likely. Special effects-wise though, they did a pretty fabulous job, but Lizard could have used a little more fine-tuning on the CGI end. Overall, performances by Garfield, Stone, Sheen, and Leary were stellar. The right mix of humor, angst, and suspense. And, I prefer Garfield’s Spider-Man to McGuire’s. His expressions, stammering lack of confidence, and humor—all were incredibly endearing. I just wish he had a better script to justifiably make himself shine. So, should people run out to see this latest adaptation in the Spidey series? Yea, they should. Why? ‘Cause there’s gonna be a sequel. And, I have a pretty good feeling it’s going to kick this one’s ass.

elizabeth: Did I ever tell you that I am allergic to spider bites? And I think I might have had a bad reaction if I saw this movie. Give me a movie with people and maybe a little less latex and Spanx. Great – now everyone knows what I wear on the weekends. I get to pick the next movie. You obviously cannot be trusted.

The Film Fatales give The Amazing Spider-Man...