His past was kept from him. His search for answers has just begun.
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) is a reboot of the Spider-Man movie franchise, portraying Peter Parker when he's still in high school and Gwen Stacy as his first girlfriend before Mary Jane.
Synopsis: Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is struggling to find his place in life ever since his parents left without news when he was a young boy. Peter now stays with Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Auntie May (Sally Field). In high school, he meets his first love, Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). One day, Peter discovers his father's mysterious briefcase and
he begins a quest to find out what happened to his parents. This leads him to meet Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), his father's fellow scientist at OsCorp. Soon after, Peter is bitten by a genetically modified spider and becomes Spider-Man. Together with Gwen, they struggle to keep their love, commitment, and secrets while coming across Gwen's father, Captain George Stacy (Denis Leary) who works with the NYPD and Dr. Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard. Peter will have to make life-changing choices and sacrifices as he begins to realize who he is and his destiny to become a superhero.
I did some reading and found out that this reboot was in place due to the cancellation of Spider-Man 4. The first three Spider-Man movies were directed by Sam Raimi, starring Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man and Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson.
I really appreciate the time well-spent on solid character development, especially those involving Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. Honestly, as a non-fan, I always thought that Mary Jane is Spider-Man's one and only true love, but this reboot gives me new perspective and understanding about Spider-Man's origin and his teen-hood.
Quoting Andrew Garfield:
"I have tried to capture how Peter copes with the feelings of being an underdog, his confusions and his self-doubt. This, I hope, has brought, a certain empathy and sensitivity to his character that explains how it helps him become the hero that he eventually turns out to be."
True enough, Andrew Garfield does his homework well and gives Peter Parker and the Spider-Man's character a surprisingly impressive, emotional depth.
Quoting Emma Stone:
"I always assumed that Mary Jane was Peter's first love. There's a part of me that really wants to please people who love Spider-Man or Gwen Stacy and want her to be done justice. I hope they'll give me license to interpret her my way."
Justice is indeed served. Emma Stone "resurrects" Gwen Stacy so well that I believe many will remember her as Spider-Man's first girlfriend. By the way, most of us are "stoned" by her. She's so stunningly pretty with her big soulful eyes that capture Gwen's liveliness, commitment, and struggles so well.
Here's my favorite quote from the movie, as narrated by Peter Parker:
"We all have secrets: the ones we keep... and the ones that are kept from us."
Do watch this movie. You will be pleasantly surprised for two hours and 15 minutes. :)
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