Amazing Spiderman, The Review

While walking down the aisles after the end credits started rolling for 'The Amazing Spider-Man', I overheard a couple discussing about the film. While the boy argued that there wasn't anything new in the film and was 'just' about Spidey jumping all over the city, the girl -who seemed to have been reasonably entertained - shot back stating -'What else did you expect?'.

Well, this argument pretty much seals the word of mouth that the film is all set to get. For those expecting Spiderman in all the swinging action, they would indeed have some good time for those two hours. However for those expecting something indeed new, then well, 'The Amazing Spider-Man' isn't quite the film for them.

A remake of 2002 release 'Spiderman' [Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst], this one actually comes a little too soon than expected. Of course remakes and sequels are in vogue but for a film which has exhilarated audience thrice over in the decade gone by; it won't be a wrong expectation to see an entirely new franchise offering. However that isn't quite the case with 'The Amazing Spider-Man' as the basic crux of the original is kept intact and some of the key sequences retained as well. However the visuals have gone through a remarkable change and this is where the advent of current technology comes in handy. Peter Parker [Andrew Garfield] isn't quite a loser but then he doesn't have any ambitions to be over and above a common man either (something that he is). However he does get bitten by a Spider and rest, as they say, is history. What is good though is that instead of Peter turning into a superhero overnight, he is shown to be working towards enhancing his skills and get well versed with his powers before taking on the city of New York. This means that first 40-50 minutes are set up well and though a few may find this entire build up a little too slow, once the action begins there is no looking back. The conflict is kept simple though without making it all look a little too over bearing or with any undue promise of saving the world. Instead, it is a simple plot about a good scientist (Rhys Ifans) turning bad with all the powers converting him into this giant lizard who has now plans of his owns. It is not up to Peter to prevent him from creating further havoc and in this little endeavour of his, there is decent support that comes from his girlfriend [Emma Stone] and her father as well, both of whom realise quite soon in the day that the man they are dealing with is indeed Spiderman.

In this context director Marc Webb does well to come to the point soon enough instead of beating around the bush. Principle characters are established well and even though the film moves on predictable lines (something that may leave die hard Spidey fans asking for more), you are glued on the screen because of all the action coming into picture.

There is a glimpse of this all thrown in once the giant lizard attacks commuters on a busy bridge. However one does feel that the potential of this action sequence isn't realised to the fullest even as Spiderman rescues a kid around the film's mid-point. The 'swinging' keeps hitting the screen every 10 minutes but the best is reserved for the last 20-25 minutes when Spiderman navigates the city of New York during night in all its glory and does what he is expected to do. This is where the 3D effect also comes into picture and while you do feel deprived of all the VFX in first half of the film, you get much more than just compensated as the sequences proceed. Especially watch out for the epilogue sequence where Spiderman gets into action all over again, it is indeed breath taking.

What is not breath taking though is the presence of Irrfan Khan in the film. His character is quite highly placed in the context of the film's plot and his early arrival on the scene makes you look forward to what's in store further into the storyline. However he simply disappears in the second half of the film, hence making one wonder what really was his character's value add in the entire drama. Perhaps he may have a better part to play in the film's sequel (as and when it is made) since by the look of affairs, he is indeed important to the plot and would now have a much bigger and better role to play as a main villain.

Meanwhile, till that happens, one has to be content with what the film has to offer currently. Though the film isn't as much an edge of the seat affair as an 'Avengers' or a 'Mission Impossible' (something that one did expect after all), as a franchise affair that is made primarily to keep the film alive and give something for it's loyal audience to cheer about, 'The Amazing Spider-Man' does work.

Rating: ***1/2