In my previous post about the big films of 2012, I decided not to include The Amazing Spider-man because, frankly, the first trailer left me feeling a little cold. It seemed to be going down a route that was almost melodramatic, all rising choral music and emoting in dark corners, not to mention the vertigo-inducing first-person clamber across the New York skyline. Whilst I am still puzzled at why Spiderman needed to be rebooted after Sam Raimi's 2002 film, I wanted to remain open-minded about this - Andrew Garfield is one of the finest up and coming actors, Emma Stone can do no wrong and Marc Webb's 500 Days of Summer is a very good film but the first trailer failed to capture the imagination. So The Amazing Spider-man was relegated to Honourable Mentions, but on the viewing of the second trailer, released today, I may just have to change my mind.
We're looking at something that is perhaps a little closer to the Spiderman of the comics than the Spider-man in in the Sam Raimi film. First of all, here's a witty, funny Peter Parker, as capable of dashing off a quick one-liner as he is beating up several police officers. Humour was always something that was never quite fulfilled in the previous incarnation of Spider-man, unless of course you count the emo dancing scene in the third film (though I don't think that was intentional). There's also a glimpse of a web-shooter which was the original source of Spidey's ability to swing from building to building on little more than a web-like string while the love interest, Gwen Stacey, was his canonical first, appearing before Mary Jane came along. We're given a longer glimpse of Rhys Ifans' Dr Curt Connors (aka the Lizard) who looks like he could be a suitably snarling villain and we see his origins; it is Peter himself whose formula allows the Lizard to be created. This also sets up the plot; Peter will have to learn Uncle Ben's oft-quoted lesson the hard way. I'm sure you know which lesson I mean.
Another reason for my reconsideration is the way in which the recent trailer and some preview footage, which debuted last night at a special event, has been received by the press. The predominant reaction has been one of great enthusiasm for both, praise going especially to the removal of all the emotional stuff in favour of solid comic-book style action. Another aspect of the film that is looking very interesting is the idea of exploring Peter's relationship with his parents, or rather the lack of it, and how this has affected the high school student we see. One thing that has continued to emerge, and has been the only aspect of the film that inspired me with confidence from the beginning, is Andrew Garfield's relationship to the character he is portraying. From his completely adorable introduction at Comic-Con last year to the interview he gave yesterday, Garfield has demonstrated that he is unequivocally a complete Spiderman fanboy and with someone that passionate in the lead role, one can only hope that he has ensured the film will do its source material justice.
- Becky
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