'The Amazing Spider-Man' Directed by Marc Webb

It doesn't seem long ago that Tobey Maguire created history as Spider-Man and here we are witnessing it happen all over again in The Amazing Spider-Man as Andrew Garfield tries to defend New York against Dr. Curt Connors, also referred to in some circles as The Lizard.

The story is familiar. At a very young age Peter Parker's parents leave him with his uncle Ben and his aunt May for his own benefit. Years later he starts to uncover the reason for their mysterious disappearance when he finds an old briefcase that belonged to his father. A little research brings Peter to Oscorp, face to face with his father's old partner Dr. Curt Connors who, given his handicap, has spent his life trying to perfect cross-species mutation. Of course in the process an eight legged friend manages to give our snooping protagonist a little peck and his life changes forever.

Director Marc Webb manages to provide the audience with an enjoyable experience overall, despite a few flimsy sequences but it is Andrew Garfield who stands out as the movie rests completely on his shoulders. Inevitably there will be comparisons but he holds his own, giving Spider-Man that 17-year-old boyish charm and bewilderment. Emma Stone fits in perfectly as Gwen Stacy but doesn’t really have much to do. Overall, the film doesn’t have the impact that it intends to deliver and comparisons with Sam Raimi’s version may not go in its favor but for Spider-Man fans it is definitely worth a watch as it gives us the opportunity to see our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man battle a new nemesis, this time in the form of The Lizard.

7/10