The Amazing Spider-Man

We are finally back to the movie watching! Our work schedules have been crazy and we haven't really had the time to watch movies. But we have two days off in a row together, so we are hoping to watch a couple more tomorrow. Tonight is our first back track into the A's. Andrew got me this movie for my birthday!!

So after making about 10 pounds of chilli, we finally sat down and watched the movie. When I saw it in theaters I was totally blown away at the freshness of this reboot. Tonight though, I think I just felt the pressure to watch the movie so we could get it out of the way, instead of really enjoying it. It's still a good movie, don't get me wrong.

This movie stars Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. That's pretty much a recipe for greatness right there. They are two fresh faces in Hollywood that really add a different spin to the series. I was so glad when they decided to not go the Mary Jane route as far as love interests go.

So, in this movie, Peter Parker is an awkward social outcast, and even stays that way after he develops superpowers. His parents were killed in a plane crash and were super scientists of some sort. He was raised by his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Fields). These two were awesome by the way. He also has a terrible crush on the witty-police chief daughter-sciencey Gwen Stacey. Fun Fact for all of you Emma Stone fans out there, she is a natural blonde! So its fun to see her take a break from her famous red locks.  One day he finds a briefcase that belonged to this father, and sees all these classified files. He wants to reach out to his father's old science partner, Dr. Curt Connors, to learn more about him and the work he did. So he goes and visits Dr. Connors at Oscorp. He makes a great impression, then wanders off and gets bitten by a radioactive spider.

His body starts going crazy and he now has spidey senses, super strength, and little spikey things on his hands and feet that allow him to cling to things. It takes him a while to get used to these things, which gives the audience a few laughs. However we also see just how freaked out he is by all of this, which is nice to see as well. With the appearance of all these new abilities, he kind of becomes this slacker/rebellious teenager that he has yet to become which causes lots of tension, especially between him and Uncle Ben. He and Uncle B have a big fight one night, and while getting chocolate milk at a quickie mart, allows a robber to go away free. This robber then shoots Uncle B and he dies.

This now sends Peter on a mad hunt to find the killer. He eventually develops his cool web shooter (something he actually makes, not something physically apart of him like in the other movies) and his uniform. The police don't like him and think that he is a menace more than a help.

Dr. Connors and Peter work on a cross-species genetic experiment, working on adding limb regeneration to a 3 legged mouse. Oh, Connors only has one arm btw, so this experiment is close to home. Connors eventually tests the serum on himself, and turns into a giant manlizard. He terrorizes a bridge full of traffic, and SpiderMan comes to the rescue. He saves a boy from a burning car, and realizes the true meaning behind his new gift. It's not just for punishing those wrongdoers out there, but to really help others and do good.

Just before the battle on the bridge, he was having dinner with Gwen and her family. He shows Gwen after the dinner his abilities, and so their relationship is not built on lies. I find that pretty refreshing that some of the main plot lines don't involve him keeping this huge life changing secret from her.
 

Connors decides that everyone should be as 'perfect' as he is, and plans on infecting all of NYC with his reptillian serum. Gwen is awesome and mixes an antidote for Peter, which is delivered via her father. He and Peter fight Connors together. Captain Stacey isn't too lucky and doesn't make it. Connors ends up not being too terrible of a bad guy, and helps save Peter from falling to his doom. He then goes to prison. Gwen and Peter end up not on the best of terms as he promised to leave Gwen alone in order to keep her safe.

Can't wait for the sequel!

This Peter is a perfect mixture of awkward and humorous, and Gwen is actually a strong female who can actually contribute in some way during sticky situations.

Andrew's Closing Thought: Amazing

Up Next: Becoming Jane