Film review: The Amazing Spider-Man (M)

Director Marc Webb gives us a more emotionally-driven superhero movie in this Spider-Man reboot.Starring: Andrew Garfield (The Social Network), Emma Stone (Crazy Stupid Love), Rhys Ifans (The Boat that Rocked).
Director: Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer).
Screening at Reading Cinemas Queenstown, Thursday to Sunday 11am, 3.30pm, 6.15pm, 9pm, Monday to Wednesday 11.15am, 3.30pm, 6.15pm, 9pm.
4 stars (out of 5)

It's only been 10 years since Tobey Maguire flexed his biceps as Peter Parker, but Garfield is more of the lanky, nerdy kind and fits into his Spidey suit very nicely.

You all know the story, right?

Parker gets bitten by a spider while nosing around a hi-tech lab, later finds he can climb walls, and gets the girl - this time instead of Mary Jane we have Gwen Stacy (Stone).

But where is our villain?

This time it's Curt Connors, aka the Lizard (Ifans). He's a one-armed scientific genius whose experiments on himself, in order to grow back his arm, go just a tad awry when he turns into - well have a guess.

Spider-Man is not my favourite superhero (that would be Batman), but I was really impressed the characterisation came first in this movie and the action second.

There are some great action sequences here, but unlike other movies where you feel they have put them in just for eye candy, each of these scenes has focus.

And there are characters you will end up really liking, even the Lizard.

Then there is Garfield.

Another Brit with a flawless American accent, his chemistry with co-star (and real-life squeeze) Stone was thoroughly convincing. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Aunt May (Sally Field) and Captain Stacy (Denis Leary) though.

This is a great night out for anyone, Marvel geek or not.

Written by Sally Burgess.

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