Review of Spider-Man (1977) by Rameshwar I — 21 Apr 2016

There should have been a real epiphany of a tremendous script to be even considered for a reboot of successful trilogy which ended not too long ago. The story doesn't waver much from the original, special effects look the same though it left me in awe the first time around, and the dialogues that seem to be later imposed over the action sequences felt terrible. I became an admirer of Marc Webb for his stupendous '(500) days of summer', but this one came out extremely underwhelming with an uncooked script and an inconsistent screenplay.

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is left in the care of his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field) when his parents die. He is the same semi-nerd, gets bullied in school and invisible with the girls. When he comes across his father's research by accident, he decides to pay a visit to his father's old friend Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans). Dr. Connors is currently experimenting on cross species genetics in an attempt make limbs regrow using the DNA of a lizard. When Parker is bitten by a Spider when he accidentally steps into a chamber full of them, he senses something is not 'right' with him.

It is too difficult and too recent to judge this movie on its own without referring to its predecessor. There really was no sense in rebooting the franchise with the material in hand for any artistic value. Marc Webb even blundered in his strength - romance and screenplay though Emma Stone does an excellent Gwen Stacy to keep it floating compared to an equally brilliant and slightly dark MJ by Kirsten Dunst. Andrew Garfield could have made a better Peter Parker but crushed by the insensitive handling of the moments on his reaction to the suddenness of the super power. Martin Sheen was an excellent inclusion who adds tremendous value to Uncle Ben's character. There is no sense of surprise by any character except for Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy when they realize Peter Parker is Spider-man which was baffling.

Insensitive, undercooked and unnecessary. Better watch the original again.