The Amazing Spider-man, the Untold Story
A Review by Eva Dunn
Having been enthralled with the other three Spiderman movie offerings, I was not quite sure what to expect from this one. Installment 4? A continuation of Spiderman 3? To my delight and my fellow movie goers', this Spiderman tale was spun from a different web. The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay written by James Vanderbilt, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. True, some details were kept honest to the germane of the original: troubled outcast high schooler, the spider bite (beware Agoraphobics--lots of spiders here!)-- the increasing Spidey strength, the girlfriend, Aunt May and Uncle Ben providing the nurturing for orphaned Peter Parker (played by Andrew Garfield). Yet the magic was in the details. The oh-so-different details that made you want to clap wildly at the movie's end. This is a new species of the Spider-man saga. Plus, the new suit has a classic feel with a modern look to it that was different but pretty cool. Photo courtesy IMAX
Arial shots were magnificent, the NY city skyline awesome as it goes from real to heightened visual effects; the merge is seamless. The ingenuity of Parker's creative devices are brainy and exciting. No ho hum mundane normality here! The beauty Gwen was sweet and refreshing with an endless depth to her amazing eyes, radiating the translucent beauty of youth. Eyes to lose yourself in, guys. Her close-ups elicited complete silence. The audience was captivated by Emma Stone who played Gwen Stacy, Parker's love interest and fellow science geek. She turns Parker into a stammering, love struck kid all the while smiling as if she sees the man he could be. Photo the Amazing Spider-man and Gwen courtesy IMAX
Take the Amazing Spider-man saga and mix in a little Godzilla action and you have a winner! Director Mark Webb brings us silver screen fireworks when we were expecting maybe another adventurous Spidey encounter. Written by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko who created the original Spiderman series, this modern twist on the comic book hero is wonderful. Stan had the best comic scene in the movie as the librarian at the high school listening to music with ear phones, oblivious to the thrashing spidey fight scene behind him. The world loves a happy ending even when your hero has to wade through a world of hurt to achieve it. And wow did Peter Parker have to take his lumps along the way. Makes you wonder how his body suddenly became indestructible, although this Peter does have bruises and bloody cuts.
The suit too was different yet the same. The webs shot naturally from Parker's wrists in the previous Spiderman movies here were “high-tensile” webs jettisoned from small mechanical web-shooter devices Peter creates using the fine cable manufactured by Oscorp Industries. The great wall scales, aerial stunts and shimmering viscous shots of webbing were over the top, literally. One blunder that brings his character down to earth, however, were the times in mid-fight or mid-dive that he literally runs out of web goo. Interesting.
This is one of the most enjoyable movies I have seen in as long time. One aerial scene was so real I actually experienced a stab of vertigo. Impressive, exciting tale of a normal teen trying to right a wrong on the side of justice after he was the catalyst in the dire beginnings he influenced. Aptly portrayed through emotional outbursts, immaturity, self pity, and frustration, this young man has to grow up fast to become what the city needs, a Hero!
Agile, lean and strong, Parker displayed amazing Spidey prowess as his leaps and bounds mid-air are captured in slow motion--a thing of beauty. I love that they kept his Peter Parker hair, charmingly tousled. The musical score was dynamic, such an integral part of the action, so seamless, that it neither distracted nor overshadowed the action. I felt there were really only a few great scenes that warranted the 3-D glasses and often I couldn't tell if it was 3-D or not, so like everyone else, not wanting to miss the 3-D scenes, they remained on throughout the show. Photo Peter Parker as Spider-man courtesy IMAX
The ageless Sally Field was a true genius in this film as she has been in every film she has starred. Perfectly cast as the strong aunt with a quiet wisdom, strong determination, and fierce love that holds the family together, she was effortless. Martin Sheen was, of course, at his best; can we ever expect anything less? His timing is perfect, his voice masterful and soothing, his sense of the character spot on. Add in the egocentric mad scientist Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), his father’s former partner, as villain and well, hold on boys and girls, we are in for a wild ride!
Although the film is rated PG13, it has violent scenes and intense action that may alarm your sensitive, young child. Romance and super-intense, unending action scenes are building blocks for success in this movie, so I endured the heart-stopping, nail biting scenes. Exploding pieces of destruction during fight scenes came hurtling directly at us, everyone ducking because of the 3-D realism. Fun! Go see this movie. It is action packed, fun, romantic, comedic in parts and carries many great messages, not only for teens. The 3-D feature never gets old for me. It brings back the nostalgic films of the '50s and with my extra large bucket of popcorn, all is right with the world.
This modern story came from James Vanderbilt (‘Darkness Falls’/‘The Rundown’) who wrote the screenplay with Alvin Sargent (‘Ordinary People’/‘Unfaithful’) and Steve Kloves (‘The Fabulous Baker Boys’/‘Wonder Boys’/ALL the ‘Harry Potter’ films!). The movie runs runs an astounding 2 hours and 35 minutes but not once did I glance at my watch; no lagging moments or boredom here!
When it released in June this year, The Amazing Spider-Man opened with over 1000 prints, the largest ever release for a Hollywood film in the country. The film released in 3D, 2D and IMAX formats and in four languages – English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. This new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy will be embraced by all generations. The Amazing Spider-man with its cinematic liberties is a highly enjoyable movie that all will love, especially web-heads, and definitely is a summer blockbuster hit. The Amazing Spider-man has an enduring appeal as its predecessors have proven.
You must suspend a certain amount of realism to really enjoy this film; it’s all just fun fantasy. In one word! AMAZING! Although I loved Toby McGuire in his Spiderman portrayal, he is now a dim memory after watching the new Peter Parker light up the screen. A trilogy is in order here. Once Sony unveils its 3-D Television (without glasses), I will love seeing this 3-D movie again. One note: be sure to stay past the rolling credits at the end, otherwise you will miss 2 key scenes! Photo Movie Poster courtesy IMAX
The Esquire IMAX Theater, downtown Sacramento, 1211 K Street, is a comfortable venue for family theater enjoyment. Enjoy the IMAX experience soon. Also playing at the Esquire IMAX Theater: To the Arctic and Born to be Wild. Coming soon: The Dark Knight Rises. Free parking at the Capitol Lot on L & 10th Streets, weekdays after 5pm, and all weekend with validation sticker. Present parking ticket at the Box Office. Mon-Fri before 5pm, Sat and Sun before 2pm, all feature film tickets are $13, all traditional IMAX tickets are $8 (no Matinee pricing for The Dark Knight Rises). Visit the Esquire IMAX website for shows and show times www.imax.com/oo/esquire-imax/movies/ or call 916-443-4629. Also at the IMAX El Dorado Hills location.
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