The Amazing Spider-Man

Against my better judgement, I was starting to get excited for this.  Something about the impressive depth of field during the web-swinging sections coupled with an unearthly green glow cast over the city at night during the 3-D trailer compelled me.  It felt like it was going to have a different attitude and vibe than Raimi's series.  For the record, I unreservedly love Raimi's trilogy.  It's ambitious, bizarre, heartfelt and almost psychotically energetic.  I think the 3rd entry is absolutely brilliant and undeservedly maligned.  Where the first two were about Peter coming to terms with his powers and doing the right thing even though the world treated him like dirt, the third film is where he truly reaches adulthood by confronting his ego and ambition.  It's a crazy, overstuffed film to be sure, but it's wildly inventive and brazenly daring.  The dance sequences in particular being marvelous stand outs.

Why would I be referencing Raimi's films in my review of this reboot, pedantic critics would bemoan.  Judge Webb's film on its own merits, not by how butt-hurt you are people don't see what you do in Raimi's universally reviled third entry, some would assert.  Well, I am not a critic and I speak of film how I please here, regardless of perspective and devoid of editorial restrictions.  The thing is, The Amazing Spider-Man is listless, pedestrian, unimaginative and wholly unnecessary.  The leads are awkward and unlikable, grating on their own and excruciating when paired.  The villain is rushed and formless with little presence and even less motivation.  The Aunt May/Uncle Ben foundation is hurried, phoned in and quickly discarded to make way for more interminable romance.  At 135 minutes, it's a suffocating bore.  From what I understand, the film was produced primarily so Sony could retain the rights to the character and that level of inspiration shows.

I will concede the action is occasionally thrilling and well put together, but considering it's often comprised of two entirely digital creations duking it out in artificial environments, it's not exactly an extension of a well told story.  The technical achievements these action scenes represent were the only element of the film that roused me from my torpor.  Dull, flat film making all around outside of the action.  A lot of tepid, over the shoulder conversations and static standing around.  Raimi is a master of blocking, able to create so much verve and excitement just by where he places his camera and how he moves his actors through a scene.  His films are compulsively watchable, his style perfectly suited to convey the kineticism inherent to the comic book genre.

So, if you want to put out a beat by beat, plot point by plot point retelling of the same story a goddamn master of cinema laid down but 10 years ago, you better have a compelling reason to do so.  Your rights to a franchise lapsing due to inaction does not constitute said reason.  I do hope the talented animators and digital effects artist involved continue to get work though, as theirs is the only artistry that shined through this leaden affair.