TASM clearly tries to emulate Batman Begins, but forgets that reboot worked cuz a straightforward Batman origin story hadn´t been told on film at that point. In many ways, it feels more like Superman Returns. If that movie was a requel - mix of remake and sequel - this one is a makeboot - mix of remake and reboot.
Regardless of whatever criticisms one can make about Raimi´s movies, to basically tell a “tweaked” version of an origin story that was pretty well told just ten years ago wasn´t a good idea. The whole advertisement campaign promised the “untold story”, but instead, for the most part, we get the retold story. The mysteries we were told would be revealed were mostrly about Peter´s missing parents, but that plot is dropped midway, then becomes a set up for a sequel. Way too often, it feels almost like a scene for scene remake of Spidey 1. The details change, but the broad strokes are the same, some shots and lines are almost exactly the same.
They do improve certain things. I love that it has more practical webswinging stunts, the FX overall evolved, although Lizard wasn´t the least creepy or scary to me, nowhere near the Orcs, Two-Face or even Lord Woldemort. Cast is good, although Sheen´s uncle Ben is a little gruffer and less likable than Cliff Robertson.Peter is – slightly - less dorky and more sarcastic, although in the car thief scene he seemed more mean and angry to me than the playful smartass from the comics. And no, he´s still NOT a wisecracking machine as Spidey.
Gwen is a more useful character than MJ ever was, and also much more fun. The overall tone is more grounded, although it also does have some of the old movies´ slapstick humor. It has some clever ideas for the use of Spidey´s powers, like the way he uses his web to detect the Lizard. Overall, however, I left feeling that it was the most unnecessary reboot made so far.
It looks like it will definitely get a sequel, so I hope they come up with a fresher story. I´d place the movie above SM3, but below Raimi´s first two installments.
6,5 OUT OF 10
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