Spider-Man spreads his ‘amazing’ web through the audience

It’s not easy for every outcast to look good in a skin-tight unitard, but in “The Amazing Spider-Man,” the most recent Marvel Comics movie, Peter Parker makes it work.

One of Marvel’s most popular characters lights up the screen in his red and blue suit, saving New York City from toxic-induced villains. “The Amazing Spider-Man” works to transform this beloved superhero into an even more complex version of the already epic figure.

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), an intelligent and sarcastic high school student, falls into unlikely circumstances when he encounters his deceased father’s briefcase filled with important scientific information that could potentially help the general well-being of humanity.

Though Parker, like most great outcasts, struggles with his place in a jock-driven high school, he finds some refuge in the over-achieving Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), who becomes his good-girl love interest.

But because of his inquisitive cockiness, Parker finds himself snooping around his father’s old workplace, Oscorp, in an attempt to learn more about his parents’ mysterious deaths. There, a radioactive spider conveniently bites him, which radically transforms him and leads this average guy to a lifetime of responsibility.

The story has Spider-Man working to save the city’s people from freaky, mutant-like transformants created by good-scientist-gone-bad Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans).

The film takes a less-than-important member of society and makes him great — a classic superhero transformation that makes Spider-Man relatable. This normality is one of the most important aspects of the Spider-Man character.

With his quick wit, wild recklessness and heroic lack of inhibition, Spider-Man represents more than just a comic book figure — he is a tragic hero, destined to do good but stricken with hatred from the many losses he encounters throughout his young life from the death of his parents to that of his Uncle Ben. He is haunted by emotional ghosts that drive his actions and force him into heedlessly responsible behavior.

And this is what makes him such a recognizable character in every production of “Spider-Man,” including the comic book. He exhibits certain characteristics possessed by average human beings, taking him off the pedestal of super-heroity and placing him on a human level. Parker represents an average guy who becomes something spectacular — a quiet dream of most hopeful people.

But still, this vigilante superstar cannot funnel his nighttime self into his day-to-day personality. With his bug-shaped mask, he develops a cocky, antagonistic alter ego that badgers the cops and plays tricks on criminals.

Like other comic book characters, the man behind the mask is driven to become something great because of his troubled past, and though his confidence radiates as he swings from cranes and climbs buildings, deep-seeded insecurities exist within the spandex.

Andrew Garfield takes this role and literally soars (he has many high-flying scenes from various New York City buildings), developing the character into a lifelike representation of the comic book. As Parker, he acts impressively well, creating a new twist on an old character. Garfield’s snarky attitude and natural sarcasm comes out in Parker’s character more so than in past productions, and his portrayal of Spider-Man is especially haughty.

Emma Stone portrays the role of innocent Gwen Stacy with an awkward grace that demonstrates the young demeanor of this studious girl. But even this character has strong moments where she bravely confronts the villain in an attempt to assist her super-spider boyfriend.

The two have great on-screen chemistry that stems from their off-screen relationship. As a pair, the actors bring a more emotionally charged performance that helps to increase the film’s content.

Visually, the film excels, turning the city into a playground for its greatest performer. Spider-Man flails magically and with ease across the city’s heights, making his performance seem more like acrobatic excellency than enhanced visual effects.

With each fight scene the visual appeal increases, and by the end, Spider-Man’s heroic prowess dynamically sweeps the audience into awe, thoroughly impressed with the athleticism, even if technology aided in his skill and flawless appearance.

“The Amazing Spider-Man” shows viewers that even a nerdy guy with a cocky attitude and a radioactive spider bite can become a superhero.

And with all that pent-up angst and heroic desire inside his spandex suit, this superhero makes responsibility look good.