The Amazing Spider-Man 3D Blu-ray delivers stunning video and reference-quality audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Teenage social outcast Peter Parker spends his days trying to unravel the mystery of his own past and winning the heart of his high school crush, Gwen Stacy. Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase belonging to his father, who abandoned him when he was a child, which leads him to his dad's former partner, Dr. Curtis Connors. The discovery of his father's secret will ultimately shape his destiny of becoming "Spider-Man" and brings him face to face with Connors, who becomes the vicious and vengeful Lizard.
Movie studios seem to be pushing up the timetable for remakes and re-imaginings to years, not decades. What was once
something rare has
become something commonplace has become something movie fans simply expect. Uproar over the ruining of
various films has given way
to begrudging acceptance of the new norm, which has itself given way to anticipation if the movie promises big things and
new ideas, improving on
older material
and not simply cashing in on a name. Perhaps this new wave should be called "Revampings" (cooler than "Reboot," with the
whole bloodsucker
"vamp" angle; it sort of fits the Hollywood mold of sucking viewers dry of their cash, does it not?) rather than "Remakes" or
"Re-Imaginings."
Probably the most
notable of the new "Revamps," before now, was The Incredible Hulk, a movie released a mere five
years after the
disappointing Hulk and, indeed, upping the ante considerably,
making amends for
Director Ang Lee's admirable but shaky effort with a crazy-good Superhero movie on the way to The Avengers (which, oddly enough, starred a
third actor in as many
movies playing the not-so-jolly
green giant). What Marvel and Sony have done with the Spider-Man franchise, however, seems even more radical.
The trio of Tobey Maguire-starring web-slingers grossed a combined
$2.5 billion (yes, with a
"B")
from 2002 through 2007, give or take a few million. The movies were largely well-received by critics and embraced by fans.
It seemed like a
franchise that
could do no wrong, or at worst
only a little wrong (everyone remembers Tobey's sigh-inspiring song-and-dance routine from Spider-Man 3). But when plans for a fourth
installment fell through,
and with Spider-Man and Superhero flicks still as popular as ever, the decision was made to revamp (see?) the franchise, take
it in a slightly new
direction
with new talent, and rake in the money for a brand-new trilogy of films. Hence The Amazing Spider-Man was born, a
critical success that,
even with more costly 3D showings, failed to beat out any of the Sam Raimi/Tobey Maguire films in box office returns. The
good news, however, is
that The Amazing
Spider-Man is, well, pretty amazing, a movie that gets off to a very slow start but picks up considerable steam
once Peter Parker
polishes his powers.
Ready for my close-up.
A young Peter Parker (Max Charles) is forced from his home when his father finds his study ransacked. He's left to live with
his aunt May (Sally
Field) and his uncle Ben (Martin Sheen). His parents never return for him. Years pass, and Peter (Andrew Garfield) is now
something of a nerdy
high schooler. He's an expert photographer and a science and technology wizard, but he's an easy target for bullies --
including jock "Flash"
Thompson (Chris Zylka) -- and uncomfortable around the fairer sex. He does, however, have his eye on Gwen Stacy (Emma
Stone), a beautiful
classmate who works as an intern at Oscorp. When Peter's uncle's basement floods, the family races to save its valuables.
Peter uncovers his
father's old satchel and finds inside of it a complex algorithm which leads him to Oscorp and Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), a
research scientist with
a missing right arm who's working on a process to regrow human tissue, mimicking the unique abilities of the reptile family.
Peter impresses
Connors with his extensive knowledge that seems to rival -- and maybe surpass -- the doctor's own. On a stealth visit to the
facility, Peter is
accidentally
bitten by a spider housed inside a restricted area. He suddenly gains impressive powers he cannot initially control, such as
super strength and a
greatly enhanced grip. When tragedy befalls his family, Peter embraces his powers, fashions a suit, harnesses the
technological power of a
strong spider web-like "biocable" material, and transforms himself into a masked vigilante, calling himself "Spider-Man." As
his relationship with
Gwen
blossoms, he becomes aware of a terrible secret and dangerous research that could lead Dr. Connors down a darkened path,
leaving him in an
altered
physical state and possibly spelling doom for the entire city.
The Amazing Spider-Man tells the same core tale with which comic book and movie fans are already intimately
familiar, that of the origins of
Spider-Man and how his personal history, intelligence, humanity, and those closest to him all shape his destiny. The good
news is that doesn't mean
the
movie brings nothing new to the table. Along with a new cast, a different director, and some good old 2012 movie polish,
The Amazing
Spider-Man creates a new feel for the franchise, not so much dazzling with high-flying adventure and huge action scenes
-- those certainly
remain
an integral, important, entertaining, and necessary part -- but rather creating a deeper human element that's more fully
realized here, that doesn't
take a back seat to special effects but rather guides the movie from beginning to end, defining the action rather than vice-
versa. The picture dabbles
in
deep and dark elements alike, notably in the idea of loss and how man copes with his past and tragedy and how he perceives
the future and makes
use of hope, hope in all forms: scientific, physical, and emotional. It's a film about the responsibilities of power, which has
always been the central
theme of Spider-Man but told here with less of a contrast and more of a fuzziness, a greater sense of the abstract,
where heroes and villains
are distanced not in black and white terms or even, really, shades of gray, but rather slight departures in thought processes
that blossom into
greater
differences manifest in the physical and only then yielding the film's big action moments. The movie's grasp of human
nuance,
psychology,
and the innate goodness of man, combined with themes centered on the ease with which good intentions can yield terrible
consequences, all make
The Amazing Spider-Man a
rousing success, but of course the movie requires polish and skill in the shaping of its action and visual effects to truly become
a Superhero movie
epic.
No surprise, The Amazing Spider-Man accomplishes both with a seamlessness and excitement befitting a major
Superhero blockbuster.
The film's second and third acts present audiences with a myriad of top-tier visual effects and amazing stunts that are largely
simple but highly
effective, whether Peter Parker learning of and playing with his newfound powers on the basketball court, taking out some
longstanding
frustrations on an old bully, or out in the world subduing the criminal element while still finding his stride, polishing his
technique, and harnessing
the full potential of his powers. Audiences will believe in Spider-Man's abilities to sling across buildings much as they believed
in Superman's ability to fly. Certainly there's nothing so
cutting edge, dazzling,
classic, or memorable to these visuals, but the raw seamlessness with which Spider-Man maneuvers up around buildings and
over roof tops will
impress viewers at the very least with how well it's all integrated into the film, how effortlessly it's utilized and not made a
gimmick to draw
attention
away from dramatic shortcomings which, here, largely don't exist. Perhaps the film's single most disappointing element
comes in the rather
cartoonish
Lizard
special effects. The creature looks fine but moves a hair awkwardly and doesn't quite find that sense of real life and buried
humanity in its eyes. It's
a
serviceable digital villain but, to be sure, the film's nemesis is rightly built and developed more on human and emotional levels
than it is on a purely
digital one, which makes the slightly inorganic computer effect a little easier to swallow.
If there's one other thing to potentially dislike about The Amazing Spider-Man, it's the film's slow and terribly stale
open. Granted, a film
of this sort requires a trudging through the backstory motions, but it's not so much the character development as it is the
generic way the film goes
about it. It presents the same old "bullied teen" and "geeky nerd" angles to a monotonous fault. There's no spirit to the
film's first act, no sense of
awe or magic, but perhaps a somewhat more downplayed beginning actually, in a way, helps the film by making its lead
character so nondescript
that his elevation to superhero becomes all the more magical and dramatically satisfying. If nothing else that's a good theory
to embrace, because
without some sort of purpose the film's first fifty or so minutes are something of a lethargic drag. The good news is that
afterward, The Amazing
Spider-Man rocks. The movies does very well in intermixing all the keys to blockbuster cinema success, combining humor
and action, serious
drama and heart very well. The cast is excellent, too. Andrew Garfield is surprisingly effective as Peter and Spider-Man both,
a bit more mature than
Tobey Maguire but not completely absent a childlike sense of wonder. The movie's slightly more serious tone aids his
performance considerably.
Director Marc Webb ((500) Days of Summer) humanizes the character
so well and films him
so exactly that even through the mask he and Garfield find a humanity in the darkened eyes, the postures, and the poses.
Garfield rounds the
character very
well from lackadaisical beginning to rousing end, supported by an excellent performance from Emma Stone as the likable girl-
next-door love interest
who, of
course, just so happens to be the daughter of Spider-Man's biggest 100% human nemesis played by Dennis Leary, making for
an unoriginal but
dramatically effective battle of wits
and physical confrontation on the streets. Rhys Ifans digs deep inside his character and gives his Dr. Connors the life and
vitality the digital lizard
cannot,
shaping his villain as more menacing in the flesh and through the mind than the larger-than-life altered lizard state.
Generally, Sony's Blu-ray 3D presentation of The Amazing Spider-Man lacks invigorating 3D depth and pop. First,
however, the boring stuff.
The transfer retains the same
exacting details as found on the faultless 2D-only release. The fantastic textures both digital and
practical (the lizard skin
and
the Spider-Man suit) remain, as does the image's general clarity, sharpness, and precise definition. On the flip side, the image
is notably darker; the
movie wasn't the brightest by design in the 2D version, and the palette appears even dimmer in 3D. Colors are stable and
consistent but lack much in
the way of vibrancy, even in the most well-lit scenes and considering the brightest shades. There's a hint of shimmering
around the 30:45 mark
that's
not
really evident in the 2D version, but otherwise the transfer holds up in all other areas, never presenting any bouts of banding,
blocking, or noise.
The 3D elements are largely lackluster. Much of the film appears fairly indistinguishable between 2D and 3D; to be sure, all of
the
dramatic dialogue moments offer little-to-no added depth, at least none that truly springs out as more evident than what the
2D version has to offer.
There's a decided lack of added space even in sprawling city environments, spacious office lobbies, and basketball courts; none
are all that
dimensionally
dynamic. To be sure, there's some depth and separation, but chances are quite a few viewers will forget entirely that
the movie is in 3D for
much of its duration. The good news, however, is that the action scenes yield considerably more "obvious" 3D effects, as
somewhat more reserved
than
the "norm" they may be. The 3D effects appear more fluid and natural as Spider-Man swings from one location to the next, as
he battles on the
bridge,
as he fights the lizard at film's end. The motion effects give the audience a fairly involved and even gratifying sense of high-
speed natural movement
through a 3D environment. The image, in these scenes, also adds some dramatic spacing visuals, usually making use of
Spider-Man's web lines as
they extend from a point inwards
and, conversely, out towards the audience. Additionally, the holographic Oscorp visuals look quite dramatic, shapely, and
extended from the screen in
3D. On the whole, however, this one's not going to really dazzle audiences looking for extreme depth and consonant pop. The
action scenes work
quite
well, but audiences will have to decide if those scenes alone are worth the added cost of a 3D Blu-ray screening.
The Amazing Spider-Man's DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack is every bit the sort of thrilling Superhero movie sound
experience listeners
demand. The track places precision elements all over the stage, creating a seamless and real-world sound environment with
perfect clarity. From small
effects like a swinging, squeaky door to drenching rains and booming thunder, the track offers every element with the sort of
natural reproduction
reserved for the best of the best high definition tracks. More impressive is the seamless sense of space; Sony's soundtrack
paints a vivid sonic picture of
every environment, completely immersing listeners into the school hallway, the Oscorp labs, and the busy city streets.
Directional effects move
seamlessly from one channel to the next, and precision sound placement anywhere in the stage is amongst this track's
specialties. Music plays with a
faultless tone, reproducing James Horner's high quality score with the sort of lifelike realism that defines lossless audio at its
best. Action scenes are
powerful and incorporate the best elements described above. Sound swooshes about the listening area and does so
seamlessly. Various action effects
are aggressive and clear, precisely placed and naturally immersive. Bass is potent and hits hard but not so hard as to distract.
Instead, the low end is a
completing element that brings real life and heft to the proceedings. Dialogue is firm and absolutely clear, remaining focused
in the middle except as
dictated by environment. This is a stellar soundtrack. That should come as no surprise given all the factors -- big blockbuster
new release, Sony title --
but it's still a pleasure to hear from start to finish.
The Amazing Spider-Man's Blu-ray 3D disc contains two 3D-specific supplements. This package also includes the
entirety of the 2D-only
release
content, meaning the commentary, Second Screen Experience, Documentary, deleted scenes, and additional extras (including
the DVD and Ultraviolet
copes) are all available. For those who would
prefer to listen to the commentary while watching in 3D, it's also available on the 3D disc.
3D Disc:
Audio Commentary: Director Marc Webb and Producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach open with a discussion of
defining the Peter Parker
character and the central theme that both shapes the greater narrative and literally opens the film. They cover the themes and
spell them out with
some meaning. They discuss the nuance of the performances, how the actors helped define the drama and themes, and the
detailed scripted shaping
of all the characters. They also cover rebooting (revamping?) the series so quickly, the massive canonical material available,
cut scenes, similarities to
other classic works, crafting various action scenes, storytelling techniques and advancing the plot and drama, and plenty more.
This is a fast,
informative, and worthwhile commentary. With optional English, Chinese Traditional, Korean,
Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai subtitles.
3D 101 with Director Marc Webb (1080p, 3D, 6:22): The director offers a basic but fascinating overview of how
photographing in 3D
works. He also discusses a few specific scenes in some detail. Ironically, this supplement offers more pronounced 3D than the
film. Note an obvious
lip
sync issue in the supplement.
Iconic Poses and Digital Environments - 3D Image Progression Reel (1080p, 3D, 2:36): A collection of scenes
that reveal the details
behind the creation of Spider-Man's digital movements within the New York environment. The piece contains voiceover
commentary by Additional
Animation Supervisor David Schaub.
2D Disc:
Audio Commentary: See above.
Second Screen Experience / What is The Amazing Spider-Man Second Screen Experience? (1080p,
1:04): The former is an app
designed for the iPad or Sony tablet devices that allow users to interact with a wide array of content on a second device while
watching the movie on
TV. The Blu-ray player must connect wirelessly with the device. Production notes, effects shots breakdowns, storyboards,
digital models, and much
more are available. The latter is
merely an advertisement and crude tutorial for the "Second Screen Experience."
Previews: Additional Sony titles.
Supplements Disc: (Special features available with optional English, Chinese Traditional, Czech, Dutch, French,
German, Greek, Hungarian,
Italian,
Korean, Polish, Portuguese [Brazil], Portuguese [Portugal], Russian, Spanish, Thai, and Turkish subtitles).
Rite of Passage: The Amazing Spider-Man Reborn (1080p, 1:49:49): This seven-part documentary
chronicles the process of
bringing a new version of Spider-Man to the screen. In The Drawing Board: Development and Direction
(13:09), cast and crew
discuss reinventing the filmed franchise. They speak on moving on from the Sam Raimi trilogy, incorporating elements of the
ultra-modern world but
remaining true to the source, hiring Marc Webb and the attributes he brought to the film, the Peter Parker character arc, the
villain's similarities with
and contrasts against Peter Parker, and more. Friends and Enemies: Casting (15:19) examines the intricate and
demanding process of
assembling the cast, including Andrew Garfield, Rhys Ifans, Emma Stone, Dennis Leary, Sally Field, and Martin Sheen.
Included are screen test clips
of the actors' rehearsals. Next is Second Skins: Spidey Suit and The Lizard (11:23), a look at the use of modern
technology in the film and
designing both Spider-Man's suit and the prosthetics that shape the villain's lizard form. Spidey Goes West: Production -
Los Angeles (16:37)
opens with a look at the first day of shooting -- the wrestling ring scene -- and moving on to examine stunt work and the film's
reliance on real stunts
and action in its effort to enhance authenticity. Also examined are inspirations for the film's style. The piece also showcases
the process of
making various scenes in different
locales and the advantages of shooting at, in, and around each. Also examined is Andrew Garfield's stunt work. Next is
Safe Haven: Production -
Sony Studios (15:27), a segment that looks at the making of more scenes in the Sony studios, including parts of the
Williamsburg Bridge action
sequence, the underground locales, school interiors hosting a major action piece, the Oscorp labs, and the end battle made in
front of a blue screen.
Bright Tights, Big City: Production - New York (9:32) focuses on, obviously, the scenes filmed in the Big Apple and the
importance of the city
in the film, the franchise, and Marvel properties. Lastly, The Greatest Responsibility - Post Production and Release
(28:50) looks back at how
well the film works, the editing process, creating the film's many complex digital effects, the authenticity of the animation
(bringing in the Iconic
Poses and Digital Environments - 3D Image Progression Reel supplement from the 3D disc), James Horner's score, sound
design, the lasting
themes of
Spider-Man, and more.
Deleted Scenes (1080p, 16:50): A Different Fate; Connors' Condolences; Tracking Connors; Hacking
Connors; Going Away; Top To
Bottom, Part 1; Top to Bottom, Part 2; Bad Lizard; Help Me; All The Power You Feel; and Lost Something.
Pre-Visualization (1080p, 39:08): Storyboards and animated visualization sequences for many of the film's
pivotal scenes, all set to
music. Included are Revised Opening Sequence, Spider Room, The Subway, Birth of Spider-Man, Handstand, Rooftop POV,
Overpass, Bridge, Love
Swing, Lizard Sewer, High School, Lizard Ambush, Standoff, Crane, Oscorp Lab, and Oscorp Finale.
The Oscorp Archives Production Art Gallery (1080p): An interactive collection of concept art broken down into
three categories:
Spider-Man, The Lizard, and Environments.
Image Progression Reels (1080p): Detailed examinations of how all-digital scenes progress towards the end
products that appear in
the film. Included are High School Fight Sequence (commentary by Sr. Visual Effects Supervisor Jerome Chen),
Iconic Poses and Digital
Environments (commentary by Additional Animation Supervisor David Schaub), The Lizard Emerges (commentary
by Sr. Visual Effects
Supervisor Jerome Chen and Digital Effects Supervisor David Smith) and Sewer Battle (commentary by Sr. Visual
Effects Supervisor Jerome
Chen and Digital Effects Supervisor David Smith). Note that this piece also recycles the Iconic Poses and Digital
Environments - 3D Image
Progression Reel supplement.
Stunt Rehearsals (1080p, 11:52): Raw on-set footage of stunt preparation work. Included are Subway,
Testing Powers, Alley Fight,
Escape Under Bridge, Sewer Fight, Spidey vs. Lizard, Lizard Attacks SWAT, and SWAT Attacks Spidey.
Developing The Amazing Spider-Man Video Game (1080p, 3:30): A brief look at the game with its
developers.
The Amazing Spider-Man works on every level. It's not just a "cool new movie" but also a rather deep character study
and human drama mixed
together with polished action and fine visual effects. The movie is a little slow out of the gate and the digital monster doesn't
look seamlessly fantastic,
but otherwise this is a real winner, a superb picture and an excellent movie revamp of a franchise that, perhaps, didn't scream
out as needing a second
look but that definitely benefits from it. Director Marc Webb's slightly more human take on the series works very well, as does
the ensemble cast that
largely
beats out the primaries from the earlier films. Overall, The Amazing Spider-Man is a winner and one of the best of the
recent crop of Superhero
movies. Sony's Blu-ray 3D release of The Amazing Spider-Man contains all the great bonus features of the 2D disc --
plus added 3D content --
as well as the same fantastic lossless soundtrack. The 3D presentation may disappoint a good many viewers, however.
Completists will get the
entire experience here, but fans on a budget are encouraged to save a few dollars and pick up the superior 2D-only
release instead.
For the week ending on November 11th, Sony Pictures' The Amazing Spider-Man topped the Blu-ray-only and overall package media charts. Director Marc Webb's reboot of the blockbuster Spider-Man franchise made a huge sales impression in just a few days; it streeted ...
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has officially announced and detailed its upcoming releases of Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man. Currently, Amazon has listed for pre-order a standard 2D release, a 3-disc Combo 2D set with DVD and UV Digital Copy, a 4-disc 3D ...
Amazon has posted pre-orders for Sony's The Amazing Spider-Man (2012, Marc Webb) including a Limited Edition 3D set with 2 figurines. According to the number of pre-order listings, at least 4 edition variations will be released if not more, ranging in price from ...
