Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy, and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance - leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr Curt Connors, his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

I was highly skeptical when I heard they were going to be rebooting the Spider-Man franchise. And not because I was just looking for another sequel. But because I loathed the original trilogy so much, that I felt like I had suffered enough already, and didn't think I could take much more. So I avoided seeing this some time, until a buddy of mine paid for a ticket and forced me to see this film. And I have to say, I was never more pleased to be so wrong.

With every new reboot of a superhero series, the audience is given the origin story, even if the audience isn't stupid, and has seen it time and time again. So if you wait through the origin bullshit, this movie delivers the goods all the way around. No Norman Osborn this time...well he is referenced to, but that is mostly it. Fans get a look this time at Curt Connors, Lizard...who was rumored to be in the original films at one point, but it never panned out. And the on screen chemistry of these characters is amazing.

I felt it took a little too long to get to the lizard portion of the film, and once it did, I was hoping for. Little more. Spoiler alert: and once Peter foils his plans at the end, to have Curt regain his "heart of gold" was a little far fetched for me. But it needed to be done for the benefit of the tag teaser at the end of the film.

I also like enjoyed the fact that they threw Mary Jane by the wayside this time, and bring in Gwen Stacy. I like the dynamic between the two characters more than I ever did with Mary Jane. But anyone who is a fan of the comic books, you know where this storyline will eventually end up. Which is a nice nod to the source material, as well as to the loyal fans out there.

As far as the acting goes...with superhero movies, the villains are cookie cutter characters for the most part, so I'm only going to say this...he is amazing in this film.

Andrew Garfield was an interesting choice for Peter Parker...but I liked his performance in his very much. I might be partial to this period acne because Tobey McGuire annoys the hell out of me so much. So, it was a breath of fresh air to have a Peter parker that I wasn't rooting against the entire time.

Another pivotal role in my eyes, for this origin story, is that of Uncle Ben. Martin Sheen plays the role in a very realistic way. He has a way of delivering his lines, where you could actually see your father saying these things to you. It isn't a "throw-away" performance by any means, and the when he gets killed off this time, it actually feels like part of the movie is missing.

Sappy Fields gives us her trademark performance as Aunt May. And that isn't a bash at her by any means. There is a reason she has been in the business for so long. You cast her when you want a likable character, with a sentimental performance. GREAT CASTING. CHOICE!

Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy is perfect casting. Not only because she is very popular right now, but because she has the ability to consume herself into any role she takes on. And that is the type of actress that is needed to play this type of character. That's why Mary Jane never got played right in my eyes. You get a subpar actress to play a key charcter...this is the equation for a piss poor performance. Leave these roles to professionals...not actresses who have bigger tits than brains...and we all know Kirstin Dunst isn't very gifted either way...just saying.

The effects in the film are top notch, and really play out nice with the 3D elements. When you're film has a $200 million plus budget...it better look fucking amazing, otherwise there is something really fishy going on. I can always expect a Marvel movie to look amazing, even if the end result is garbage do to a shitty script. But that isn't the case here. It is well rounded in every way possible.

I highly recommend this movie, and not only to comic book or superhero fans. I've found that even the hardcore Spider-Man haters out there, enjoyed watching this film. And that is a testament to the source material...as well as to it actually being told right for a change. Check the film out, and enjoy.

Till Next Time Kiddies...

-RJ