The Amazing Spider-Man is an adaptation of the massively popular comic of the same name, and is the fourth film in the overall Spider-Man franchise. Directed by Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield as the titular web-slinging superhero, this adaptation provides a familiar yet new take on the origin of Spider-Man. In a way, The Amazing Spider-Man is both a reboot of the classic Spider-Man trilogy directed by Sam Raimi, but the film also more closely follows the original source material.
With a different villain, fresh characters, and all new man behind the mask, there’s a lot of stuff in The Amazing Spider-Man to get excited about. That said, after the great original trilogy, does The Amazing Spider-Man bring anything truly worthwhile to the character and universe? Let’s find out if The Amazing Spider-Man is as awe-inspiring as the title would suggest.
How to Stream or Download The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
To stream or to download the movie from iTunes or from Google Play Store, click on the Download button located below this review. Check out also other Spider-Man movies that we have reviewed such as Spider-Man: Far From Home or Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
The Movie Review
Like every other Spider-Man film, The Amazing Spider-Man tells the story of Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), a high-school student with an aptitude for science and a mysterious family history. When he was a child, Peter’s parents skipped town, leaving him in the safe hands of his Aunt May (Sally Field) and Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen). Unfortunately, Peter’s parents never returned, with their ultimate fate a total mystery.
Later in life, struggling with his past (and the standard woes of adolescence), Peter struggles to fit in at school. One day he discovers some of his father’s old research, which leads him to Oscorp, one of the biggest scientific research firms in New York City. There, he ventures off the beaten path into a lab, where he is unexpectedly bit by a genetically modified spider, granting him extraordinary powers.
As Peter masters his newfound abilities, things get exceptionally rocky around the city. One night, Peter’s uncle is killed in the street attempting to stop a robbery. Determined to hunt down the killer and get his revenge, Peter begins to form the masked identity of Spider-Man.
Further egged on towards vigilante justice by his new girlfriend Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), Peter starts to rid New York of its more unfavorable citizens. However, low-life criminals and burglars are the least of Spider-Man’s worries, as a much larger danger is brewing back at Oscorp. Despite the potential hazards, a one-armed scientist named Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans) attempts to cross human and reptile genetics in an effort to unlock their limb-regrowth abilities. As you would expect, things go horribly wrong, presenting Spider-Man with an appropriate villain to defeat.
In comparison to the other Spider-Man films, The Amazing Spider-Man is a decent adaptation that only falters in a few places. At times, the movie struggles to find its central tone, hopping between lighthearted action and serious, gritty drama. Andrew Garfield does his best to play a younger, cockier version of Spider-Man, but it comes off a bit goofy. That silly attitude occasionally transfers into the action, resulting in some unintentionally funny moments.
Apart from these small annoyances and occasional pacing problems, The Amazing Spider-Man is an entertaining action flick that should satisfy most superhero fans. It’s by no means the best Spider-Man movie, but it gets the job done. As long as you’re able to suspend your disbelief and enjoy the ride, The Amazing Spider-Man is worth checking out.
