The Amazing Spider-Man
By Sierra Drury
The Amazing Spider-Man opened in theaters on July 3 of 2012 and is now on DVD. It was a captivating movie about Peter Parker, who finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. Peter’s path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father’s former partner at Oscorp, A science research laboratory.
Peter Parker discovers his father Richard’s scientific study has been stolen. His data is all about Human-Animal morphing. Before he left, Peter’s father gathers the documents he still has before him and his wife take Peter to stay with his Aunt May and Uncle Ben. After they leave Peter with his Aunt and Uncle, his parents leave, but are later killed in a plane crash.
As a teenager, Peter is a student at Midtown Science High School, where he is bullied by Flash Thompson and is romantically interested in Gwen Stacy, the daughter of police captain George Stacy. At home, Peter discovers his father’s documents, and learns he had been working with scientist Dr. Curt Connors, who now works at Oscorp to combine human and animal DNA to cure illnesses. Peter sneaks into Oscorp to meet Connors, who is pressured by his superior workmate, Dr. Ratha, to complete his serum, and cure the head of ill Norman Osborn. Connors also wants the cure to restore his missing arm. Meanwhile, Peter breaks into a lab where a “bio-cable”—a high strength strand of webbing—is created by genetically modified spiders, where one bites him. During a subway ride home, a fight reveals that he has developed superhuman speed, strength, the ability to stick to surfaces, and a sense of danger.
Peter finds an algorithm in his father’s documents and gives it to Dr. Connors−the missing ingredient to his serum. While this is happening, his Aunt may is waiting for Peter to pick her up, who never comes. When Peter gets home, his Aunt and Uncle are waiting for him. After a fight about responsibility, Peter gets so mad that he runs out in rage. Later in a grocery store, the clerk rudely refuses to let Peter buy a drink, and when a thief steals money from the register, Peter lets the thief escape. Ben, Peter Parker’s Grandfather, who is searching the streets for Peter, confronts the thief, but is shot and killed. Peter responds to the gunshot, runs outside, and finds his Uncle Ben’s body. After seeing a police sketch of the suspect, Peter realizes it was the thief he let go.
Peter hunts the killer, taking out other criminals as a result and attracting police attention for his actions. During one confrontation he falls into an abandoned gym, where a wrestling poster inspires him to create a mask to hide his identity. He creates a costume for himself with a spandex suit, and builds wrist-mounted devices that shoot bio-cable strands. He had become the Amazing Spider-Man.
This 2012 American superhero film is directed by Marc Webb, and is based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. The film stars Andrew Garfield in the title role of The Amazing Spider Man, with Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy and Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curt Connors.
Andrew Garfield was born in Los Angeles, and had his first professional roles were on stage and in 2005 he made his TV debut in the series “Sugar Rush” (2005) in the UK. More TV work followed, including having a wider UK audience in the third season of “Doctor Who” (2005), as well as a number of movie appearances. Garfield played Eduardo in The Social Network (2010) and Tommy in Never Let Me Go (2010).
Emma Stone began acting as a child as a member of the Valley Youth Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, where she made her stage debut in Kenneth Grahame’s “The Wind in the Willows”. She had her TV breakthrough when she won the part of Laurie Partridge in the VH1 talent/reality show “In Search of the Partridge Family” (2004).Her movie debut was as Jules in Superbad (2007) and, her leading role as Olive in Easy A (2010).
Rhys Ifans was born and raised in Wales. Ifans made his small screen debut as the host of Welsh children’s TV show, Stwnsh. His breakthrough on the big screen came in the British hit Twin Town (1997), where he acting alongside his younger brother Llyr Ifans. More film success followed, notably as Hugh Grant’s scruffy housemate in Notting Hill (1999). Other projects include Dancing at Lughnasa (1998) , Little Nicky (2000), Enduring Love (2004), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) and The Amazing Spider-Man (2012).In 2004, he played the British comedian Peter Cook in the TV film Not Only But Always (2004) (TV).
Although it was a great movie, you need to know that The Amazing Spider-Man sticks closely to the standard superhero story, although it was rated PG13. There’s an average guy (Andrew Garfield) who receives amazing powers, there is some tame romance (kissing, flirting), mild swearing (“damn,” “hell”), and lots of comic book-style action — cars getting thrown off bridges, villains throwing heroes through walls, and assorted other mayhem. (some with weapons and a bit of blood). Overall this was a good movie which you would love to see, which I give 4 stars.
Ack: Google for some information on the cast and Google images for the picture. Also Nicole Stern and John Drury for proofreading my work and helping make corrections.
3 Comments