OK for kids 12+
Action-packed series reboot has lots to offer Spidey fans.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Amazing Spider-Man sticks pretty closely to the standard superhero template. There's an average guy (Andrew Garfield) who mysteriously receives amazing powers and is suddenly thrust into the unfamiliar role of savior, some tame romance (kissing, flirting), mild swearing ("damn," "hell"), and lots of comic book-style action -- cars getting thrown off bridges, villains throwing heroes through walls, and assorted other mayhem, some with weapons and a bit of blood. Popular actress Emma Stone co-stars as Spidey's love interest, and Martin Sheen adds gravitas in the tragic role of Peter Parker's kind Uncle Ben.
- Families can talk about the Spider-Man franchise. How is The Amazing Spider-Man different from the 2002 version with Tobey Maguire in the title role? Did this series need a remake of Spidey's origin tale? What do you think the main motivating factor was to make one? The story, or the money to be made?
- It's hard to imagine a superhero film without plenty of action, including explosions, fights, and gunfire. How does the impact of the violence in movies like this one compare to that of other action or horror films?
- Is Peter a role model before he becomes Spider-Man? After?
The good stuff
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Messages: Much is expected from those to whom much is given (or, in other words, with great power comes great responsibility). That's the theme that pushes Spider-Man to take on the much stronger Lizard, with some concerns about his abilities, since nobody else really has the ability to stand up to the bad guy. Teamwork and collaboration play important roles, and love (familial, romantic) is a big theme of the movie.
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Role models: Peter Parker is really trying to do the right thing, but he often comes off as a classically immature teen -- self-absorbed, insensitive, and at times narcissistic. But that doesn't make him a bad guy; when it counts, he definitely comes through (although at the end it's not clear whether he plans to keep a very important promise). Gwen is a smart, independent young woman who, unlike many superhero movie female leads, doesn't need rescuing. Uncle Ben and Aunt May teach Peter the importance of responsbility and unconditional love.
What to watch for
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Violence: Plenty of super-powered comic book-style action, including cars getting thrown off bridges, villains throwing heroes through walls, and assorted other mayhem. A mugging leaves a shot bystander bloody and dying, and Spider-Man's first crime-fighting efforts target other muggers, who are clearly outmatched and beaten badly. An NYPD assault team tries to take out both Spidey and The Lizard, using high-powered weapons that leave the web-slinger injured and bloody. The villain impales a cop with his long claws, leaving the officer critically injured. Some bullying among high school students.
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Sex: Some flirting, and a few romantic kisses.
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Language: Infrequent swearing includes "ass," damm," "hell," "suck up," "oh my God," and the euphemistic "Mother Hubbard," used as an expletive. Some insults -- "stupid," "loser," etc.
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Consumerism: Tie-in to vast quantities of related merchandise. A few scenes feature people searching the Internet on Microsoft's Bing browser and looking for medical information on WebMD.com. Several Sony products also get prominent placement, as do Nike shoes.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The villain injects himself with a powerful drug that turns him into a giant lizard.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
AMAZING!! by phillipchoi114
It's a good fun summer blockbuster with good characters and some very well done action sequences. It's all I wanted was a good movie and this movie delivered. I recommend you watch this movie with friends or family and you'll have a blast.
5
AMAZING! by ClarkBar5804
Being a long time Spider Man fan, I really liked this movie. To me Andrew Garfeild was a more believable Peter Parker/Spider Man than Tobey. The different spin on the origin of him getting his abilities was good too. It also appeared that this movie did not rely alot on CGI special effects as much as the first three made alot of the scence appear real and not cartoon like. So if you are a fan of Spiderman or just like action with a little romance thrown in go see this movie and you wont be dissapointed.
4
good movie, action packed, decent enough by nng
The movie was done well for what it was. I felt it was a little slow paced in the beginning and almost boring having to rehash through all the scientific concepts and ideas. garfield was more a mumbling weirdo than anything who still seemed wimpish even after his spider powers. emma stone did an ok job but her character was too aloof. the movie itself wasn't amazing- it was unique and interesting and fairly well done in plot, special effects etc, with some flaws too. I think its too hyped and overrated like most movies these days. It's still worth going to and has enough action and drama and decent chemistry and intriguing characters and actors to make for a good film...
5
A worthy addition to the Spider-Man media dynasty by murrellb
I enjoyed this movie opening night, and I don't regret one cent of the admission,. It is a well-done update to Spidey's seminal emergence. The action was tight and the effects were authentic. I look forward to the games and gear this update will spawn. Seems like they're setting up the Green Goblin for part 2 of this series. Based on Marvel history, that probably means Gwen Stacy will not be with us for part 3, Too bad. The chemistry between the primary characters worked very well. I was a bit dubious when I heard this update would rehash the origin. They actually pulled it off and very well at that. I would recommend anyone who can enjoy a good comic to see this new movie,
5
The Amazing Spider-Man by Tmyster89
The amazing spider-man movie was better then the other three spider-man movies because they finally follow the comic book correct in my opinion. I can't wait to but the amazing spider-man on blu-ray/ dvd and can't wait to see the amazing spider-man 2.
5
Thoroughly enjoyed the movie!!!! Love it!!! by MysticEmFantasy5
I love this new Spiderman movie - the main actor and Emma Stone were amazing!! They bought this movie to life and made me cry a couple of times during the movie! I also laughed and was scared at certain points. Definitely a movie that should be watched in the theaters for full effects!! I highly recommend this movie! Its not just another remake, but a much better improvement than the other Spiderman movies. I was so sucked into the movie that the ending came before I knew it!
4
Good here and there by thedieff
The new installation of Spiderman was not a surprise to most. With a great cast including Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone made this summer blockbuster quite the hit. There were a few good things and a few not so good things throughout the movie. The first person scenes were a decent attempt at something new and the action was perfectly mixed with the comedy of the whole movie. The special effects were a bit overdone, especially with the Lizardman (who looked a tad ridiculous, to be honest). All in all, a movie the is definitely worth seeing, I give it a 7.5 out of 10
5
WAS BLOWN AWAY! by JMALTAIS
I?ve been a Marvel fan since I was old enough to ask my parents for comics. Raised my son as one also and while this Movie may be too emotionally advanced for some Marvel movie patrons, I feel it exceled in every way!
5
Must Go See TASM by swade3
The actors in this movie are what makes it such a great movie going experience. Garfield and Stone are a great duo together and just have breath taking chemistry on screen. All of the actors played their role to their best ability. The effects and action sequences were amazing and fun. 9/10. Must GO!!!
5
Better than the previous movies! by Merciel
At first, I wasn't into the new Peter Parker--He didn't seem nerdy enough--, but it actually worked out. It made for a much more convincing transformation into Spider-Man than Toby Maguire's. Spider-Man was also much more entertaining and closer to the comic book version with all his quips.
Everything about this movie was better. It wasn't as cheesy (though it did have one very cheesy moment with Stan Lee, but that's forgivable) and the dialog and plot were better.
This exceeded my original expectations. I thought it was too early to reboot the series, and I'm sick of seeing origin movies all the time, but this was a good origin movie and did some things different so it wasn't just a review of the story we all know.
Definitely see this.