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Not many superheroes have managed to survive a reincarnation on screen, especially when the preceding films have created box office records. Even then, The Amazing Spider Man manages to enthral the audience with new cast, a new director at the helm and above all, a new super-villain!

Andrew Garfield takes over the costume from Tobey Maguire in this fourth instalment of the Spider Man franchise, and manages to do a good job — both as Peter Parker and as Spider Man.

Marc Webb calls the shot in this movie in which, for the first time, the protagonist is shown to be a confused individual, which is exactly the way he was created in the comic books by Stan Lee.

Peter has a different lady love this time around, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, which is why the fans of Mary Jane Watson would not find this movie appealing.

An intriguing ‘origin’ story keeps viewers engrossed while a subplot regarding his parents’ mysterious death also surfaces during the movie.

It is during his search for the truth that Peter manages to track down his father’s old colleague Dr Curtis Connors (Rhys Ifans), who is one-armed and a genetic scientist. Peter not only helps him complete his research but also considers him a friend, but due to the circumstances, the good doctor turns into the Lizard as the movie progresses. And guess who saves the city from the claws of the Lizard? The friendly neighbourhood Spider Man, who else!

There is no place for J Jonah Jameson — the editor of Daily Bugle where Peter is employed in the comic books — in this flick, although the character might be introduced in the next instalments.

There is, however, substantial time given to both Uncle Ben and Aunt May (veterans Martin Sheen and Sally Field) who look after Peter as if he were their own son.

All said, the film has drama, suspense and super heroism but what makes it stand out are the spectacular action scenes in which Spider Man takes on the Lizard, and manages to save the city from destruction. Be it on the bridge, under the sewers or in the library, the fight sequences are in a different league compared to the preceding Spidey flicks.

The Amazing Spider Man may not be the best of the Spider Man flicks, but it is certainly better than the last one in which there was an array of villains, but no direction. The reboot was necessary and one hopes that the next instalment brings more chills and thrills to the viewers than this flick. — S. F.