'Amazing Spider-Man' Spins More Swagger, Fun Than Original

Andrew Garfield takes over from Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, a nerdy kid who gets bitten by a radioactive arachnid in "The Amazing Spider-Man."

The film is somewhat of a reboot about the origins of Spider-Man. Parker gets bullied in school, meets a pretty girl, gets spidey powers. The family falls victim to street thugs; he becomes a superhero. It's pretty much the same storyline, just a bit grittier than the one 10 years ago. This one has more swagger, more angst and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, the new spidey love interest.

This is not a total carbon copy of the original but it's basically the same storyline. Different actors, sure; a different director, sure. There is even a different bad guy; the CGI is better; it's even in 3D. But, honestly, it's pretty much a remake. 

Don't get me wrong; the film is entertaining. It's slick. Garfield is great, so is Stone. There is plenty of action and plenty of romance. You know how the story is going to end because there is a good chance you saw the first film but, like a well-worn shoe, it's got that (sole/soul) that feels good to the audience.

The film is redundant. The story is familiar to the audience and, for the Spider-Man Purists out there, it is telling it wrong. I will leave out the spoilers here. For the first half hour or so I hated the movie. But little by little I began to like it. So the Flick-O-Meter gives "The Amazing Spider-Man' a four out of five. 

There is nothing really amazing about this Spider-Man and the film is not breaking new ground. In fact, it was unnecessary. That being said, it was good. The two-plus-hour film slowly grows on you with its energy and grandeur. Check it out, you'll see.

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