Superhero movies seem to be no stranger to reboots, and
while some are well received (The Dark
Knight), others are less so (Superman
Returns). With the recent Spiderman trilogy still being so fresh in so many
people’s minds, bringing back this beloved superhero was a big gamble, one I
think was worth it.
In this retelling of the Spiderman story works exceptionally
well because like the Dark Knight they did an actual reboot, using the same
characters and comic universe, but taking the story in their own direction. Not
only do we see Peter’s parents, we get to see a very different Gwen Stacy, one
who’s much closer to the comic book version, the events that lead up to the villain,
and how Peter gains his powers. There are so many changes to how the events unfold
that it makes for a refreshing take on the story.
Andrew Garfield steps into the role of the social outcast,
Peter Parker, and while many were unsure how they felt without Sam Raimi behind
the camera, have to admit that Garfield does a much better job than Maguire did
in the previous films. Garfield’s Parker is done with more flair, and there’s a
larger infusion of humor, which is prevalent in the comics. He doesn’t come off
as weak, but more like the gawker high-schooler he’s suppose to be.
The supporting cast is also superb. Emma Stone is the love
interest, Gwen Stacy, not only is she a more likeable character, she has oodles
of chemistry with Garfield. Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally
Fields) are not only better utilized, their performances are more impactful. Rhys
Ifans was fantastic as Dr. Curt Conors/The Lizard and although there are lots
of special effects for his transformation to being the Lizard I thought the
human counterpart was played quite well and made his background story come
through nicely. Also notable and utterly fantastic was Denis Leary as Captain
George Stacy, Gwen's father.
The fighting and
action scenes are the greatest improvements over the first 3 titles. The stunts
came off looking less computer generated yet amazing to watch. Instead of the
hero shooting web from his wrists they go back to the original story with the
artificial web-shooters which drew some early complaints, but really was an improvement.
All in all, the Amazing Spiderman, really is worthy of it’s titles, and you can
catch it on DVD November 9, 2012.
The DVD and Blu-Ray
are loaded with special features. Check out the Stunt rehearsals to see some of
the work behind the stunts, it’s pretty neat. There are also 90 minutes of
featurettes that go pretty in depth to the making of.
Synopsis:
THE AMAZING
SPIDER-MAN™ is the story
of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his
parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt
May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is
and how he got to be the person he is today. When Peter discovers a mysterious
briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his
parents' disappearance - leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt
Connors (Ifans), his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a
collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make
life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.
Based on the Marvel comic
book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN was
directed by Marc Webb from the screenplay by James Vanderbilt and Alvin Sargent
and Steve Kloves, and a story by James Vanderbilt. Stan Lee, Kevin Feige and
Michael Grillo served as executive producers, with Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad and
Matt Tolmach as producers.
Blu-ray/DVD
Combo Pack Special Features:
Disc 1: 2D Blu-ray feature film
Special Features:
· The
Amazing Spider-Man Second Screen App, including interviews, storyboards,
alternate takes, costume tests, pre-visualization sequences and more.
Allows you to “sling" content from your tablet to the TV.
Disc 2: 2D Blu-ray featuring 90 Minutes of Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries, including:
o Development
and Direction
o Casting
o Costumes
o On
Location: LA
o On
Stage: Sony Studios
o On
Location: NY
o · 16
Pre-Visualization Sequences
Disc 3: DVD feature film
Special Features:
· Deleted
Scenes
· Filmmaker Audio
Commentary
· The
Oscorp Archives – Production Art Gallery
· Stunt
Rehearsals
Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack Special Features:
All of the
3-Disc Combo Pack Special Features plus…
Disc 1: 3D Blu-ray
· 3D
versions of the film
· 3D
101 with Director Marc Webb
· 3D
Image Progression Reel
Disc 2: 2D Blu-ray feature film
Disc 3: 2D Blu-ray featuring 90 Minutes of Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries
Disc 4: DVD feature film
Limited
Edition Gift Set Special Features:
All of the
4-Disc Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Special Features plus…
· Collectible
Amazing Spider-Man Figurine
· Collectible
Lizard Figurine
The Amazing
Spider-Man has a running
time of 136 minutes and is rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence.
“Academy Award®”
is the registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences.
Marvel, and the names and
distinctive likenesses of Spider-Man™ and all other Marvel characters: ™ and ©
2012 Marvel Entertainment, LLC & its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
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