Movie Review: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, 8 Stars And Amazing 3D!

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First of all this review will not have any spoilers, so relax you can read the whole thing and not be precisely tipped off about anything. I do talk loosely about one scene that bothered me but no details are given. However the comments are free reign and anything goes as far as spoilers!

I saw director Marc Webb's THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN last night in IMAX 3D (yes, I scored a poster) and let me tell you it is well worth the price of admission.

Allow me to admit that I am very biased toward Spider-man. He was MY superhero growing up so if this movie is halfway decent, I'm going to love it. I was smiling broadly many, many times through this movie which is something I normally don't do.

There is only one scene in the movie that was far from being perfect. Towards the end there is a need for our webslinger to get across town and he needs assistance. The assistance that's rendered totally does not belong in the movie and I was actually thinking about one the best moments from Sam Raimi's Spidey universe and hoping that Webb wouldn't feel the need to replicate it somehow. 

You know what though? That scene smells like studio interference, not the director. This is complete conjecture on my part, but I can't see Webb buying into it. I think Sony over-analyzed what was good with the original franchise and tried to do it again (pun intended). We'll discuss in the comments. The intentions were good.

My movie rating was quite severely cut simply because of this scene! It weakened my suspension of disbelief. It messed up the story for me. It blew my total enjoyment frankly. Everything that had nicely been built previous to this was dampened. But not devastated.

Enough on the subject for now.

What else? Aunt May's hair should have been grey or greying and not perfectly dyed, but Sally Field otherwise was perfect. Martin Sheen was a bit too close to Peter, but I liked the message he gave him.

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What did I like? More like what did I love! The 3D was jaw dropping at times, especially in the end sequence. You can tell the native 3D truly captured detailed scenes like the panning aerial shots of New York and it's bridges. I love the feeling that the 3D was caught effortlessly - a natural, green feeling if you will. You can thank 3ality Technica and Red for that. John Schwartzman again lived up to his name as one of the world's premier cinematographers. There were only two moments where anything broke the screen and came at you and those were suitably ejected using visual effects. 

The fight scenes were breathtaking, really. Such inventive choreography! When Parker turns into Spider-man you can feel his worry and excitement at the same time. Wonderful directing achievement.

James Horner slammed another movie score home run. Loved his work on this.

The visual effects? Wow. Remember SUPERMAN's tagline "You will believe a man can fly"? Ok, maybe you don't, but it applies here... "You will believe a man can swing. And shoots web from his wrists. And duck bullets. You get the idea..." Beautiful job guys! And a happy marriage between practical and visual effects too. Check out this great article (fx guide) on the various effects for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN.

Make up your own mind about Andrew Garfield. Don't read other reviews. Don't listen to anybody else. For me though, HE WAS PERFECT. This guy was born to be Peter Parker. Other than being slightly tall for the role, he makes up for in every other way. His looks, posture, physique, voice, mannerisms and his inept social skills was portrayed PERFECTLY. Let me say that again. PERFECTLY. I should know, Peter Parker / Spider-man was everything for me growing up. If you are a fan of the character, go see this movie.

Emma Stone nailed Gwen Stacy too, but at times she is almost didn't seem to fit the science geek persona. Rhys Ifans did remarkably well with Curt Connors / The Lizard given that everything I had seen him in previously was no where near this role.

I could care less about the timing of this reboot. I could literally watch a Spider-man movie every six months and not tire of it. Try telling it's too soon for a spidey movie to any true fan.

In conclusion, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN could have easily been 9 stars, as the cinematography, acting, 3D, score and visual / special effects were outstanding. A few more edits, a reshoot perhaps and a tad more Peter Parker struggling with this thoughts ALONE would have sealed it. But Marc Webb did an admirable job. Well worth your time and money! It's not THE AVENGERS by any stretch, but heck - this is our friendly neighborhood Spider-man.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN has done $7.5m from domestic midnight shows last night which is on par with what SPIDER-MAN 3 made. IMAX pushed the way with a $4000 screen average.

Was the 3D as good as PROMETHEUS? Yes in my books. On par. Get out and see it!! 8 stars.

Special thanks to Empire Theatres for the screening!
 

Must See: Another Clip From THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN Plus A Featurette On The Movie's Stunts!

3ality Technica 3D Rig & Red Epic Cameras on THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

Got a couple more videos for you guys to watch IF YOU DARE. The movie clip is of course a spoiler as it is directly FROM THE MOVIE. You have been warned!!

The stunt featurette has some very cool behind the scenes footage in it. The practical stunts look AMAZING and those stuntmen have nerves of steel. Got to love watching BTS stunts.

Man I can't wait to see the results of these red cameras mounted in 3ality Technica rigs shooting THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN in native 3D!

Here's the storyline:
One of the world’s most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man. Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. 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. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theaters everywhere in 3D on July 3, 2012.

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. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As 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.

First up will be the STUNTS FEATURETTE (some visual spoilers):



 And here is the Movie Clip featuring Dr. Connors and Peter Parker in an intellectual "classroom" discussion **SPOILER**



THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN opens on July 3!! 

via /Film

MUST WATCH: New Featurette With Marc Webb From THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN!

I could watch these behind the scenes featurettes all day long! This one has director Marc Webb talking THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and gives us some key thoughts into how he approached shooting this beloved character and origins story.

Love the image I attached to this post featuring the 3ality Technica stereo rig suspended in space as Spider-man slowly descends into the shot.

Here's the official movie storyline:
One of the world’s most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man. Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. 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. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theaters everywhere in 3D on July 3, 2012.

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. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As 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.



I think it's time for me to revisit my Spider-man TV show collection from the 1960's again! Loved the score for those. More when I get it!

THE AMAZING... LIZARD!! Check Out The New Featurette!

Finally we are seeing a bit more of The Lizard after another viral mission was completed for Sony's THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN. He was my favorite villain of all Spidey's antagonists, yes even the Green Goblin. So I am counting on director Marc Webb to not let me down! From everything we've seen thus far, we don't have much to worry about. And with the native 3D being shot with 3ality Technica rigs and expertise, there won't be anything to worry about in three dimensions either.

So what are we seeing in this? Rhys Ifans plays Dr. Curt Connors, the one armed scientist made famous in the original comics. Being who he is he tries to regenerate his arm through various experiments involving, you guessed it, lizards.

Here's the movie's storyline:
One of the world’s most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man. Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. 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. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theaters everywhere in 3D on July 3, 2012.

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. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As 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.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN hits theaters July 3.

MUST WATCH: Stunning New Trailer For THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN!!

Wow. Marvel has got it going on! DC needs to hire Marvel to produce their properties because they are getting left in the dust here. And Marvel needs to tie up Joss Whedon and Marc Webb to long term deals!

Speaking of Mr. Webb - stunning job here on the latest trailer for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN. Seriously it hits on all the points it needs to here and amplifies the cinematic take that he will be sending us on. Of course using 3ality Technica rigs and Red Epics kinda stack the deck!

All of this the day before THE AVENGERS opens in North America...


The Lizard looks crazy good. But I'm swept up in the visuals and the perfect casting of Andrew Garfield! My childhood is coming back like I was a food critic sitting down to a nice plate of ratatouille. SPIDER-MAN LIVES.

Check this thing out!!

Did that knock your socks off or what? LOVE IT. Wow. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN opens July 3.

Two New Images Of The Lizard From THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

These images are more in my wheelhouse! I am liking these more than the tame Peter Parker / Spider-man shots and I think from now on Sony should focus on the darker side of this movie. 

I would wager that whoever is in the clutches of The Lizard here has only moments to live. We can tell it's not Peter Parker because his hair isn't frayed out like Einstein. ;-) But somehow The Lizard (played by Rhys Ifans) gets a hold of his camera...

Here's the movie's storyline:
Like most teenagers his age, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. In his journey to put the pieces of his past together he uncovers a secret his father held…a secret that will ultimately shape his destiny as Spider-Man. This is the first in a series of movies that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story. 

On July 3rd, 2012, the untold story begins.

New Toy Photos Confirm The Lizard's Likeness And Debunks Rumors

There was a rumor circulating the interwebs that The Lizard in THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN will have a snout but unless all these toy figures are showing only the first part of a lizard metamorphosis (highly unlikely) than what you see is what you get.

Click images to enlarge...

Note the teeth are not very pointed at all, though the sheer number of them don't let you forget you're looking into a reptile's mouth. I think his main weapons will be his claws on his feet and hands - they look VICIOUS. The Lizard definitely looks muscular too.

Personally I think a long snout would have been a bit more authentic to the part, but I'm ok with this version too. More important is the character development and storyline. I feel great about what I've seen so far! Good job Marvel...

Source: SuperHeroHype via Collider

Whallopin' Websnappers! The New Spider-man Trailer Is... AMAZING!!

Oh yeah guys - check out this trailer! I simply love everything about it. I can't deny that THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN just improved in my list of anticipated movies based on this thing. Am I looking forward to this as much as THE AVENGERS? Wow, it's close now - at least it's a race!

I lightened the photo somewhat to reveal more of the character's reflection in the eye of The Lizard. It looks like Spider-man in costume to me.

The character development is astounding and seems perfectly cast. I think money has been spent on the right things.

Oh, and that slight sideways and tilting head movement by Spider-man? BANG ON. Perfect. Whoever is handling small details like that is seriously making my day here.

Take a look!



So, yeah, I am amped as I am sure you can tell. What excites you about the trailer? Rhys looks amazing too!!

Is This The Lizard From THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN??

These days it seems that the toy makers are the ones to let the cat out of the bag regarding characters and their visage. Unless of course it's MarketSaw! (First image of the Na'vi) :-)

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN is following suit as a fairly detailed image of The Lizard's face is nicely placed on some type of remote controller for a Mega Blocks toy. I am guessing for a vehicle of some sort?

I actually like this image much more than the concept art for The Lizard that we have already seen. I want to see some emotion in the face though - similar to what we have seen in RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (which is light years beyond the ape facial prosthetics of the original show). Don't let me down guys!!

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN spins into theaters July 3, 2012.

Source: Idlehands via Collider

Concept Art For The Lizard From THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN??

Hmmm. Looks like the real deal! Ever since I successfully called (through great sources) the villain for Sony's reboot of Peter Parker's franchise (Raimi was still somewhat attached at that time), I have been dreaming about how they would creatively tackle the iconic villain The Lizard.

Director Marc Webb has the honor. The awesome cast for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN consists of Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, C. Thomas Howell, Martin Sheen, Sally Field and, of course, Stan Lee.

Out of all the evil-doers Spider-man has encountered over his illustrious career, I have to say The Lizard is the number two character that invokes in my mind, behind only the Green Goblin. Sorry all you Doc Ock fans, he's relegated to third for me. The Lizard (Dr. Curt Connors) had a very appealing bit of character development that I found interesting as a boy growing up.

Rhys Ifans is playing The Lizard / Dr. Connors in THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN. Dylan Baker played Connors in Raimi's franchise but did not get to the point where he changed into the beast. I'm curious as to whether Connors will be a physicist (as in Raimi's universe) or a biologist as he was depicted in the comics and TV series. I'm a traditionalist mostly - I want the biologist!

What I also thought was cool from the comics was that Connors/The Lizard was in the X-MEN universe too! Could it be that we will see a cameo appearance from the mutants? Probably not as Marvel does not control that license, but one can always hope. I am fairly certain that The Lizard will meet (contribute to) his demise because of his reptilian weakness to cold as he is cold blooded. Just a hunch :-)

Another selfish desire I have for the movie is that they capture the magic of the original score from the TV series (Ray Ellis) in the movie somehow. To this day that score haunts me and I often have it churning away in my mind even though I haven't heard it in years. I am not talking the opening and closing themes (which shouldn't be copied), but the score within the TV show itself. I loved Danny Elfman's work in Raimi's SPIDER-MAN for the record. Anyway, enjoy the artwork and hopefully this is authentic, because I like it. Our spidey-sense starts tingling July 3.

Sources: SpiderMedia | ComingSoon

Sally Field And Martin Sheen Could Be Aunt And Uncle In Marc Webb's SPIDER-MAN!

Interesting! You know what? I am on board with these rumors (via THR) if they turn out to be factual. Sally Field is reportedly in early talks to play Aunt May in Marc Webb's upcoming stereoscopic 3D reboot of the SPIDER-MAN franchise. Further, Martin Sheen is close to inking a deal where he plays Uncle Ben.

Obviously we need a strong acting presence from both of these characters, especially Aunt May. Uncle Ben's demise (sorry if you have never watched anything SPIDER-MAN before!) has to be MEMORABLE and MOTIVATING.

As we know already, Emma Stone has jumped into the Gwen Stacy role, Andrew Garfield has landed the deal of a lifetime as Peter Parker and Rhys Ifans will more than likely suit up as Curt Connors / the Lizard which we knew a year ago, though back then it seemed like Dylan Baker was teed up for the role.

So far so good with Marc Webb's efforts. Hopefully these casting rumors turn out to be accurate and that the talent signs on. More when I get it! And no comment on whether MJ will be in the movie or not...

EXCLUSIVE: SPIDER-MAN 4 Will Have Only One Villain - The Lizard!!

EXCLUSIVE:

Jim here. In what must be exclusives week at MarketSaw, we get a quick update on SPIDER-MAN 4 which of course is getting lensed in stereoscopic 3D.

We all pretty much knew that either The Lizard and/or Carnage would be in this movie and now we have word that it will be The Lizard ONLY. No multiple villains. Again, strong source here. Of course, things could change - but it is highly doubtful.

I couldn't be happier! SPIDER-MAN 3 suffered from too many story lines in my mind and with only one villain, Sam Raimi can focus on the character development and really build Dr. Curt Connors / The Lizard the way it should be. If there are too many bad guys you lose the connection - it is a good thing to almost feel bad for them when they lose (or win as the case may be). It is very hard to develop two villains within the same movie and establish that honest mind meld with them.

So what do you think? You happy with The Lizard being the sole villain? Who should be cast? Dylan Baker? (sounds like he has the job!)