Film Review: The Amazing Spider-Man

The first thing that hits you about The Amazing Spider-Man is the same thing people have been saying since the film was announced. It's too soon. And, yes this reboot comes just ten years after Sam Raimi released his first Spider-Man film, and only 5 years after his last.

That last film was pretty bad, but not bad enough to warrant a franchise reboot, but here we are. With a new take on the origin story of Peter Parker becoming Spider-Man. But does it really add anything? Surprisingly, the answer is yes, and in a big way.

This time round the metamorphosis into Spider-Man isn't by chance, like in the first film from 2002. There, Peter Parker (then played by Tobey Maguire) just happened to be on a school trip where he just happened to be bitten by a radioactive spider. This time everything ties in with the main plot of the film, and it serves the film much better from a story and character point of view.

"At least I don't look stupid..."

After discovering some old papers of his parents, who mysteriously died years ago, Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) follows the clues within them to Oscorp, and Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), and whilst there suffers a bite from a radioactive spider, changing his life forever.

With everything tying in with the plot, the characters are far better than the previous Spider-Man films. Andrew Garfield makes for a far more interesting Spidey than Tobey Maguire, and the same can be said for Emma Stone as love interest Gwen Stacey over Kirsten Dunsts Mary Jane. And even better, Garfield and Stone have far greater on-screen chemistry as a couple.

Where the character and story are stronger, the action is slightly weaker than its predecessors. Obviously, when you have a director like Sam Raimi, you are always going to get a very interesting style, a style that new director Marc Webb has yet to attain. But the action sequences are competent, and the film even harkens back to the first Raimi with a big  'Don't mess with New York' moment.

One moment I knew that was going to tug on the heart strings from the moment it was announced was Martin Sheen playing Uncle Ben. Even if you're not a comic book fan, you should know what happens there, and it's highly emotional stuff. And there's a callback to it near the end of the film that if you don't well up, you have no soul.

If the film had one point letting itself down, it would probably be the lead villain of the Lizard. Through no fault of Ifans, it just doesn't become that interesting a character, and that side of things is let down a bit.

When it comes down to it, it all depends on what you want out of the film. If it's slam-bam action with crazy camera work, then the Sam Raimi films will do you. But if you want more interesting characters, and a richer plot then the new Amazing Spider-Man is well worth a watch.

****
A new and improved Spider-Man, with a new and improved love interest to boot. Great performances and story, slightly let down by a weak villain. Just edges out Raimi's original. Just.

Film Review: The Way

Wisely distancing themselves from the bizarre behaviour exhibited by fellow family member Charlie Sheen (which, thankfully seems to be abating now), Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen are currently promoting (in a Kevin Smith style tour across America and Canada) their newest venture together, 'The Way'.

Estevez is turning into quite the prolific director. His last film, 'Bobby' was a good ensemble piece, and in 'The Way', he really turns in a fantastically shot and plotted out film (he also wrote it.)

His Dad, Martin Sheen plays Tom, a opthamologist, who is called abroad after the death of his son Daniel (naturally, a small role played by Estevez himself) who has been killed whilst attempting to walk the 'El Camino de Santiago' from France to Spain. Once there, and in the possession of Daniels ashes, Tom decides to make the pilgrimage himself, in his sons honour.

Along the way he meets Joost (Yorick van Wageingen), from Amsterdam who is walking to lose some weight (or so he says), Sarah (Deborah Kara Unger) a grouchy Canadian who has her demons and Jack (James Nesbitt), an Irish writer with a serious case of writers block. Eventually, they become friends and carry on 'the way'.

'The Way' is a very genteel film, very slowly paced, with some spectacular shots of Europe (the film was shot on the 'Camino de Santiago' itself), and features a great lead performance from Martin Sheen.

After the West Wing, it took a while for me to see Martin Sheen for anything less than the President of the United States. Such was the power and brilliance of that show. And in fact, Renee Estevez (who had a small role in West Wing for years) appears at the start of 'The Way' as Toms receptionist. It did remind me a bit of the show.

But this performance is all about Tom trying to come to terms with the fractured relationship he had with his son (told in a few heartbreaking flashback scenes), and also turns into looking at the other reasons he's taking the walk. Hint: he's not just doing it to spread his sons remains across Europe, as it turns out.

The fact that you know Sheen and Estevez are father and son in real life does add to the emotional punch of the film. So much so that even when the 'ghost' of Daniel appears from time to time, it doesn't feel the least bit out of place or over the top.

The films 2 hour, 10 minute running time does start to flag though, especially in the second half of the film. It does show what a long pilgrimage it all is, but if it wasn't for Sheen's presence you'd be losing interest rapidly. But by the time you get to the end of their walk, you don't mind - the films conclusion is as heartwarming and touching as the rest of the film has been.

****
A real labour of love for Emilio Estevez, and continuing to show what a great director he has become. Casting his Dad may seem obvious, but it's a masterstroke at the same time, this is Martin Sheen's best celluloid performance in years. A touch overlong, but this is a heartwarming and gently paced film that you have to check out.