The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) is a superhero film directed by Marc Webb, rebooting the Spider-Man franchise, with Andrew Garfield starring as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy. The film is a fresh take on the origin story of the iconic Marvel character, following the success of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy (2002โ2007), though this version explores new themes and a different tone.
The story follows Peter Parker, a high school student who is struggling with the mysterious disappearance of his parents when he was young. He is raised by his aunt and uncle, May (Sally Field) and Ben (Martin Sheen), in New York City. Peterโs life changes dramatically when he stumbles upon a briefcase containing his fatherโs research, leading him to meet Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), a scientist who was once a colleague of his father.
After being bitten by a genetically altered spider in Connorsโ lab, Peter gains superhuman abilities, including enhanced strength, agility, and the ability to cling to walls. As Peter grapples with his new powers, he becomes Spider-Man, fighting crime while dealing with personal issues. Meanwhile, Dr. Connors, experimenting with a serum in an attempt to regenerate his lost arm, transforms into the villainous Lizard, causing chaos in the city.
The film explores Peterโs journey of self-discovery and responsibility, particularly his relationship with Gwen Stacy, as well as his growing understanding of the power and responsibility that comes with being Spider-Man. The central theme is Peterโs quest to uncover the truth about his parents and how that leads to his path as a hero.
The Amazing Spider-Man was a commercial success, grossing over $750 million worldwide, leading to a planned sequel, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014). However, despite its success, the filmโs sequel received mixed reviews, and the franchise was ultimately rebooted once again with Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with Tom Holland taking over the role of Peter Parker.