Having lost track on which version and number we’re on, this is the now very handsome JFK Jr look-a-like, Andrew Garfield, slinking wall to wall in the lead role. Again. [ironic since, sidenote, I met him at Chateau Marmont at a private VH1 rooftop party in 2010 and he was talking to my British posse of Oscar friends about his ‘concern’ starring in an American franchise. Good decision, Andrew!]
But just don’ go see any Spidderman in IMAX after you’ve had two happy hour martinis.
This latest Spidey, written by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner and directed by Marc Webb, is high-energy & low-sweetness entertainment. Unlike the louder, scarier, super heroes out there, or the slick Iron Man, Spiderman is soulful and gentle, like Superman, with a history of being orphaned and left to – in his case – his aunt (Sally Fields.)
Quickly we flash to the high school graduation of Gwen (Emma Stone) the girlfriend in real life and in the film to Spiderman. She’s the class valedictorian where she preaches don’t follow the path, make your own trail. And I guess in Spidey’s case, the trail is lined with a lot of sticky webs, including the ghost of Gwen’s father, the fireman (Denis Leary) who died in the first installment. Here he’s back to inspire guilt into Spiderman asking him to leave his daughter alone. But the heart wants what the heart wants…
But Spiderman’s heart is also woven into the city of NY where he befriends a geeky electrician (Jamie Foxx) who later turns on him for no apparent reason as a bad guy named Electro. And this was the only problem the film seemed to have considering the special effects and the chemistry between Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield is outstanding. The problem reoccurs when Peter Parker’s best friend Harry (Dane DeHaan) turns into the Green Goblin and he too turns on Spidey. Foxx’s role seems silly and could have been up expanded perhaps not to Django Unchained levels but c’mon, he’s just wasted here. ♕ ♚ ♛