Movie Review and Giveaway
By Nishant Store
Ten years at the heels of the first Spider-Man movie, The Amazing Spider-man is all set to hit cinemas. Campus Magazine managed to surreptitiously procure two invites to the premiere, and now we’re all psyched to give our Spidey fans a sneak peak, without throwing out any spoilers of course! Read on to learn more about how you can win some Amazing Spider-Man goodies…
To Begin With…
A lot of you may be shrouded in a web (no puns intended) of mystery, wondering why ‘the powers that be’ decided to remake a series so soon after its original debut. Watching the movie (next week) will dispel all doubts. Without giving anything away, it’s worth mentioning that this movie is loosely based around the original Spider-Man comic books, dating back to the days Peter Parker spent in high school. The plot isn’t a ‘remake’ of the earlier movies as such; it’s more of a ‘reboot’, showcasing a different side to the story. So don’t walk into the movie hall expecting to see a smitten Mary Jane Watson, or a cynical Harry Osborne- those folks had nothing whatsoever to do with Peter Parker’s adolescent years!
The Movie
Showcasing many characters from the initial comic books, the movie revolves around Peter Parker’s (Andrew Garfield) romantic affiliation with high school crush Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). The rest of the plot is gripping, keeps the audience entertained, and does its fair share to enhance the couple’s colorful romance. The film realistically portrays a quintessential teenager’s frame of mind, against a backdrop of puppy love, adventure and responsibility.
Martin Sheen (Charlie Sheen’s father) does a good job as Uncle Ben, succinctly explaining the concept of ‘moral obligation’, a theme that is repeatedly explored throughout the Spider-Man series. Other characters make cameo appearances, but do not leave a lasting impression. Even though the leading villain, Dr. Curt Connors, is often on-screen, he doesn’t come across as nefarious or scheming. However, he does arouse the audience’s sympathy. Maybe the writers wanted to take a more subtle approach towards villainy; instead of pitting pure good against pure evil, the movie illustrates good and bad deeds, without judging a person’s character too harshly.
This works to the plot’s advantage, leaving the audience with fiction that is better tailored towards what goes on in the real world. On the whole, The Amazing Spider-Man is a good reboot, capable of enthralling fans and laymen. We eagerly await the sequel!
The Contest
Want to win a Spider-Man gift set (contains a magnet, badge, key ring, retractable clip, cap, artwork and earphones)? All you have to do is tell us what you find ‘amazing’ about ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’. Visit the official website here to get your creative juices flowing!
Post your answer in the comments below this article and email your name, phone number and IC to interns@campus.com.sg to enter (don’t forget to put your name in the comments section so that we know which answer you’ve posted)!
Contest Closes on July 8th!
