The Amazing Spider-Man ***

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Irrfan Khan
Director: Mark Webb
Running Length: 2:16
MPAA Classification: PG-13

It has been 10 years since the original Spider-Man, and only 5 years since the mis-step that was Spider-Man 3.  Apparently, that's all the time that is needed to start over.  And so, Mark Webb's The Amazing Spider-man has found its way to theaters.  This time, we get a re-told, and slightly different, origin story that promises to shed more light on Peter Parker's parents' disappearance from his life.  I suppose that this is more of an overall story for the recently announced parts 2 and 3 that will be making their way to us over the next few years.

This time around, Spider-Man (Garfield) is more of a smart ass, like he is in the comics.  His love interest is Gwen Stacy (Stone), and the bad guy is The Lizard (Ifans).  Garfield does a good job of bring ing a different version of Peter to the screen.  I wouldn't say better or worse, just different.  Emma Stone brings more personality to the love interest this time around.  Lastly, Rhys Ifans does the best he can with playing the Lizard. 

So, the good...the effects look great.  They have come a long way in five years, and Spidey swinging through the city never looked so good.  The Lizard looks as good as a giant man-lizard can look, and about as real as he could look too.  The chemistry between Garfield and Stone is believeable, and for the most part the supporting cast does a good job trying to not imitate their predacessors.

On the down side, its only been 5 years.  Why reboot?  Why do we need another origin story?  For me, switching actors and continuing the story or just jumping back in mid-stream without an origin story would have been a better way to go.  I can't quite put my finger on the specific reason, but the costume looks terrible this time around.  The Lizard is a weak villian.  He would be better used as a second villion in a two villian movie.

The biggest problem for me is that, with only 5 years having past, its hard to look at this movie without comparing directly to what has gone before.  Like I said previously, a non-reboot sequel would have been the better way to go.  That being said, now that they have established the new universe, I am looking forward to seeing where they go with it.

The Amazing Spider-Man is not the best of the Spider-Man movies.  That honor still falls on Spider-Man 2.  Its not the worst either, and a few years will give a little more distance for the sequel to have less comparisons with Sam Raimi's trilogy.  The franchise has a future, and I think it is promising.

Brave 3D ***

Cast (voices): Kelly MacDonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson Director: Brenda Chapman, Mark Andrews
Running Length: 1:35
MPAA Classification: PG


Princess Merida (MacDonald) is strong-willed and a bit of a tomboy.  When suitors are lined up by her monther, Queen Elinor (Thompson), Merida takes control of the situation by one-upping all of the contenders.  Elinor is quite displeased, and tries to lay down the law, but Merida seeks outside help and soon finds the situation out of control as her mother is turned into a bear.  To make matters worse, King Fergus (Connolly), who has some bad history with bears and is unaware of the transfermation, is on the hunt.

Brave is Pixar's first foray into the fantasy realm, and it is a bit of a misfire (for them).  It plays like a Disney princess movie, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but Pixar has always been better than this.  While the story has something to say about mothers and daughters, it is ultimately middle of the road for them.  I don't know what I wanted from Brave, but it definately was something more.  Visually, Brave is beautiful.  They have set the computer-generated animation bar a bit higher here, but that is to be expected.  The voice talent all do excellent jobs as well.

I think that ultimately this film will play well, but it is a bit of a step down from their recent efforts.  Like I said, a good movie in general, but slightly below par by Pixar standards.  Maybe I am just too picky when it comes to their movies, but I have come to expect a little more from them.  The short before the film, "La Luna" was cute, and about on par for the shorts they have placed before their features.

Lastly, I saw this in 3D, mostly to get in to an earlier show time.  Is 3D necessary for Brave?  Not really, but it doesn't take away from the film either, as it is done well.  Either a 2D or a 3D viewing should give about the same experience.