Welcome edge to comic reboot
Luring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone on board the Spider-Man reboot makes a lot of sense. Once the producers decided on a darker, edgier future for the final chapter, it basically meant the end for Tobey Maguire. His overly nerdy portrayal of Peter Parker and uninspired acting was more suited to your friendly neighbourhood Spidey than The Amazing Spider-Man. And let's face it, no one wants to see a 37-year-old play a high-school teen.
In the new film, Peter is determined to learn about his parents' disappearance (we still never really find out). His search leads him to Oscorp and his father's former lab partner, Dr Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans) who, after an experiment goes wrong, becomes Spider-Man's arch-nemesis, the Lizard.
It's a thrill to watch the origins story played out in a more edgy, angsty setting. The circumstances are the same as before but the scenarios are tweaked.
Peter Parker as played by Garfield is no longer just a nerdy photographer who gets knocked around by bullies. He's an outsider, sure, but he's hip and involved with Gwen (Emma Stone), the prettiest girl in town.
Director Marc Webb packs a lot into the film, including a nice scattering of cheeky comedy, some tight action sequences and a robust love story.
There's really not a lot to complain about in the first part of the reboot. Then again, the original started off well - and we all know how that ended.
