Ok guys,I've seen the film last night.I have to be honest.I've been pessimistic about this film from the beginning from what I was hearing about it.I went in with lowered expectations,hoping to be pleasantly surprised.And I must admit,at least at first viewing,I was still underwhelmed.It's not fair to compare it to the Raimi films,so I tried to judge it simply for what it was.

First,I thought the tone was all wrong.From beginning to end it's just a grim feeling movie.Even Superman Returns,which was a "too dark" take on a "light" character,didn't seem as grim as this.And that's all wrong for a hero like Spider-Man.Sure, Peter's social life is a downer,but I never felt the sense of exhilaration that it is to be Spider-Man from this film.

Andrew Garfield is a fine actor.(in an aside,I have to wonder about all the fans that mocked Tobey's Peter for turning on the water works so often in his movies,when Garfield did much the same here) I liked him,but he never felt like he captured Peter to me.Not entirely his fault,pretty much the "angst" that was put in the script dictated what he had to do.

As for Spider-Man,the quips and humor was,if anything-even less than the previous films.The most memorable being the car jacker scene,which was already spoiled in the trailers.

The film also suffers the same editing problems that I feel hurt Green Lantern.There's no sense of closure in many ways.Dr Ratha (or whatever his name was) was the reason Conners took the serum and he goes after him as the Lizard to stop him from experimenting on some innocents.After a brief attempt on his life,the character and his plans never are mentioned again!?!

In the same way the Lizard exposes a SWAT team to his Lizard gas.But absolutely nothing is done with it.No fight scene for Spidey,or at least a sense of danger from them to the populace.I guess the money ran out.

Uncle Ben's killer is never caught.I can see this approach with Batman (In the comics he was Batman for years before he caught his parents killer) but it made no sense to do so here....unless to wring yet another drop of grim angst from an already dark tale.

The love story between Gwen & Pete was handled well,but they had him tell her his secret in the most awkward and uneventful way imaginable.

Captain Stacy pretty much left me cold.I thought there was a great chance to redeem the character with his famous death.But changing his dying wish from "take care of Gwen" to "stay the *^&$# away from Gwen" pretty much killed whatever I felt for him.Wth The scene could've been powerful still,had Gwen NOT KNOWN,like Stan originally wrote it!

Stan's cameo was a hoot,and I generally liked all the action between Spidey & the Lizard.Lizzy looked a bit better than I expected.The guy who played Conners was very good,but I can't help but think the character could've been better served with having his family from the comic involved.

I was looking forward to seeing Flash being fleshed out more than the previous films.In a way they succeeded,but I find it hard to believe he could get away with beating up Peter in public in this day & age.

The Uncle Ben death was fairly well done IMO,considering they changed the wrestling origin.I don't know why they had Peter & Ben argue before Ben gets killed.Another needless bit of angst thrown in.

The unmasking,yeah it annoyed me.smiley: ohwell But it's gonna happen unless Marvel or someone with Nolan's clout makes the movie.

I guess that about wraps it up for this review.I wouldn't say I hated it by any means.It was pretty much what I expected.Solid, but not exemplary.

Oh, Rochester!!!!!

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Edited 1 time by Johnnie Jul 11 12 4:07 PM.