Watcher Wednesday: Your Guide to Amazing Spider-Man
A big thanks to Wizard Victor for his wonderful articles these last few weeks. He was contributing for three weeks in a row as I was out of the country (more on that in some blog entries soon). He’ll be back to write again, I’m sure.
The day after I returned I went to see The Amazing Spider-Man, and I’ve got to say that I loved it! There’s been some confusion as to why they would reboot a movie franchise so soon, but this was a worthy reason. It was better than the first films, and on par with some of the super hero blockbusters in the last few years. If you want to hear more about it, check out Wizard Victor’s entry last week.
In continuation of the movie coverage, I submit a bit of a guide to the movie. It’s in answer to possible questions that arise from the film. BUT I MUST WARN YOU: I AM INCLUDING SOME SPOILERS!! PLEASE SEE THE MOVIE FIRST BEFORE READING THE REST OF THIS!!
Okay, we ready to move on? Here we go!
Gwen Stacy
A viewer may wonder why Mary Jane is not in this first reboot film. Well, it’s because Mary Jane was not Petey’s first love. Gwen Stacy was Peter Parker’s one and only love before MJ. They were bound to get married until she tragically died because of the Green Goblin. Now, one difference from the movie and comics is that the two didn’t meet and date until after high school. So, with this being a reboot movie, Gwen is here because of the closer connection to the comics. And, yes, it could set up for tragedy in the next movie.
Captain Stacy
I liked the officer’s role in the movie. And (here’s a spoiler) I thought he had a much more heroic death than in the comics. In the comics he died pushing a girl out of the way of rubble because of a battle of Spider-Man and Dr. Octopus. In the movie, I liked that he died helping Spider-Man. Another difference between comics and movie is that Captain Stacy was a little more supportive of Spidey. And, he figured out Spider-Man and Peter Parker were the same person. No mask had to be ripped off. One other difference is that Stacy is retired in the comics.
A Modern Take
Amazing Spider-Man, though named after the first web crawler series, is more like Ultimate. I think this because it’s trying to show Peter Parker and his heroic identity in more modern time. There is much more similarity to the main series, 
but Ultimate Spider-Man is a modern time take on the hero. He’s much more a nerd in all comics series, but has today’s trends in clothes and tech.
What I noticed was the following the comics’ take on Spidey’s struggles. He has to figure out powers, web fluid, explaining his strange appearances, and having a love life. It may have seemed strange for how much his mask was off as Spider-Man, but his mask was sometimes off in battles or in saving strangers. It came with the territory of being a homemade hero. His costume would be ripped or destroyed often.
Easter Egg Ending
I’m sure everyone’s wondering who appears in Curt Connors’ cell after some credits are playing at the end. I’m wondering too. But, I have some ideas as to who it is.
It could be Norman Osborn, and he was somehow involved in Peter’s parents death. We don’t know if Norman survived or not at the end of the movie, and we know that the formula Connors and Parker worked on is to be used on Osborn.
It could be the Chameleon. The Chameleon is a bit of a shape shifter, and has had some knowledge of the Parker’s history. In the comics, Richard and Mary Parker were CIA agents, and it 
could be that the movie versions are too. The Chameleon was also involved in faking the Parker parents’ return. He made robots that posed as the couple.
It could be Mysterio. And my money is on that. Why? Mysterio just appears and dissappears in the cell. He has a strange voice, and is quite mysterious. This spells the mastermind from the comics. But, he did not have the elaborate costume the special effects villain had in the comics (although I’m glad he didn’t). Mysterio is a effects and disguise master. He sometimes has knowledge he should not, and tricks people, especially Spidey, often. Here’s hoping he’s the next villain. He would be a great fit for a blockbuster movie.
And, until next time, have a Marvel-ous day!
Murray the Bellhop has been with DAPs Magic Geeks Corner for several years now. He is a geek's geek. Knowledgeable about many things, he frequently shares his love of movies, comic books, and the comic book world with Geeks Corner.
