When I heared they were rebooting the Spider-Man series I could not understand why, as there was nothing wrong with the original trilogy.... well the first two anyway. But although the over blown Spider-Man 3 was only released five years prior to this , on reflection the original Sam Rami movies do show their age in certain places, it's not the special effects that date the three it's actually they feel a little corney as a perfect example is in Spider-man part 2 with the freeze frame at the end of the rain drops keep falling on my head sequence, it fitted the films fine back then but now especially after the Dark Knight's they feel out of place with the rescent Marvel universe. So to go back and take the story in a new direction now seems a good idea.
This Spider-Man is the one for this decade as it's played pitch perfect, he's a geek but not the same geek as in the previous films as times change and what's geeky now is different to what was uncool a decade ago. This is a film that does not let the action get in the way of well written characters and both the leads are excellent. The film is darker in tone, but as usual there are lighter moments especially when Peter Parker gets all cocky with his new powers. The tragedy in Parker's life is especially well done and you do really understand the pain. The action and effects are superb and the 3D in the cinema version was well done and not in your face. The only minor disappointment comes in the shaep of the Lizard as the film does not use this character to full advantage and would have been nice to see the human cost in the transformation of the Doctors life. But he is well realized in 3D and is the centre of some great action, but that's all he is, is a one dimentional bad guy and with a film like this setting up the characters so well it's a pity the same attention was not given to him.
But for a comic book movie the revamp is very well done if not really needed and although if you love the first three films you should not be disappointed with this and no doubt will continue the adventures for another decade.
It's a very entertaining movie but if you compare it to The Dark Knight Rises and The Avengers Assemble it's not quite in their class.
See If you like....
Spider-Man Trilogy (2002 - 2007)
Iron- Man
Iron Man 2
Thor.
Captain America.
The Avengers Assemble.
X-Men Trilogy (2000 - 2006)
X-Men First Class.