It was year 2007 when Marvel’s superhero Spider-Man had his last outing on the silver screen. Since then, many superheroes have come and gone. However, Spider-Man’s story remains the same, with Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) living with his aunt May and Uncle Ben (Sally Field and Martin Sheen). He is in high school and an awkward teenager who doesn’t have the courage to ask his classmate Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) out. The discovery of his super powers happens after a visit to the research organisation Oscorp Industries where he is predictably bitten by one of those spiders kept there for tests. Oscorp is headed by one limbed Dr Curtis Connors (Rhys Ifan). Meanwhile, Connor is in search of a solution that would enable humans to grow back their limbs, just like lizards do. Connor transforms himself into a vicious lizard who now wants to multiply his own kind by transforming others. Peter takes up the responsibility to stop the menace, partly because he is guilty that he gave Connor the formula which set the ball rolling in the first place. The plot is predictable – good vs. evil – with the underlying theme of ‘with great power comes great responsibility’. Instead of having any of characters speak it, Webb makes his superhero enact it in each frame. Andrew Garfield plays the superhero in his own style. He is brash sometimes and defends his own deeds. Unlike Tobey, this one isn’t a ‘loser’, and in fact enjoys his superhero powers. Emma Stone, as Gwen Stacy, makes for a delightful watch and the two share an adorable chemistry. The special effects are neatly done and background score by James Horner fits perfectly with the scenes. The street fighting sequences, the beautifully intimidating skyscrapers through which Parker swings are shot beautifully and give the film a grand feel. Watch it for a new, transformed Spider-Man.
Ratings: Four cheers for this one!
