Amazing Spider-Man (5 Stars)

I confess that I was very skeptical about the reboot of the Spider-Man film franchise. Sam Raimi did such a good job with the original trilogy that it seemed superfluous to start again only 10 years after the first Spider-Man film was released.

It might seem strange to viewers not acquainted with the original comics that Gwen Stacy is presented as Peter Parker's love interest. In the Sam Raimi films Mary Jane Watson was his lover, and Gwen Stacy was only introduced in the third film. Let me make it clear now, as all comic fans will agree, that only the comics themselves are canon. The stories in the comics are what really happened. The films are just adaptations, more or less accurate interpretations of the stories told by Stan Lee and the writers after him. Gwen Stacy first appeared in Spider-Man #31 and was indeed Peter Parker's first lover. Mary Jane Watson was introduced 11 issues later. Mary Jane didn't become his lover until after Gwen's death in Spider-Man #121. Incidentally, the rumours are that Gwen's death will be shown in the third film of the new trilogy. Let's wait and see.

Rather than review the film, let me talk about the differences between Spider-Man in this film and the first Sam Raimi film. My main problem with the new film is the actor in the title role. Andrew Garfield was a poor choice. He looks nothing like Peter Parker did in the comics. The hair is wrong. He looks too tall. Tobey Maguire, on the other hand, was perfect. Born for the role.

Apart from the physical appearance, Peter's clothing in the new film is wrong. He should wear glasses, not contact lenses. He shouldn't wear cool clothing like a hoody. And he definitely shouldn't carry a skateboard around. Peter Parker was a nerd in the comics, but in the new film he just doesn't look nerdy enough.

I don't like the fact that Peter is fast to take revenge on the classroom bully Flash Thompson after gaining his powers. In the comics he took great pains to retain the appearance of being weak.

In the first film the webbing was part of Spider-Man's transformation, while in this film it fires from a mechanical webshooter. The new film is more accurate in this respect. Peter Parker was a science expert and invented the artificial webbing himself.

The costume is less accurate in the new film than it was in the first. When I saw the photos months ago I was dismayed. In the film itself it doesn't matter so much. The costume details are hidden by the action.

Of course, the whole origin story in the first film is close to canon. Peter was bitten by a spider on a school trip. His uncle was shot by a robber after Peter had taken part in a wrestling match. The new film changes the facts, but the changes don't spoil the story.

Click here to view the trailer.