The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Based on the comic book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, this film is perhaps one of the best adaptations of Spider-Man to be released thus far. I appreciate that for the uninitiated, there seem to be far too many reboots of the character and the story, but most of these are due to the film rights being passed around from studio to studio - at a time when Marvel weren’t making their own films yet - before reverting back to Marvel Studios, allowing them to incorporate their own character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe at last.

And yes, before you ask, this film is another origin story (at least we weren’t subjected to that once Spider-Man entered the MCU, I guess Marvel came to the conclusion that audiences were well aware of Peter Parker’s transformation by then). But I must say, as a long-time reader of the comics - Spider-Man is by far my favourite Marvel character, and has been since the late 1980s - this is certainly the most accurate origin story of the character. In fact, even the title of the film is testament to that: the first appearance of the character was in The Amazing Spider-Man.

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is a high-school senior in New York. Living in Queens with his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field) - since his parents died in a plane crash when he was very young) - he is your average nerd. Terrorised by the school bully, awkward around girls, especially the girl he has admired from afar for years, Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), the list goes on.

Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field).

After being bitten by a genetically-enhanced spider, he begins to take on some spider-like qualities, specifically much more acute senses and an ability to climb walls. Yes, I know you probably already know this, but what you may not know is that - as far as the comics are concerned - he never had the ability to shoot webs. Rather, his webs were shot from electronics mounted to his wrists - a fact which this film has accurately portrayed.

Of course, you can’t have a Spider-Man movie without a formidable villain, and this film delivers there, too. Dr. Curtis Connors (Rhys Ifans), a researcher working in Oscorp Tower, who has been trying to crack cross-species genetics for years, comes to a breakthrough (partly with Peter’s help). Any comic readers out there can probably name the villain already. For the rest of you, it’s The Lizard, a half-man, half-lizard creature with super strength and claws that look like they would cause some pretty serious damage.

Peter’s admiration for Dr. Connors, and his hatred for The Lizard, are essentially what creates the majority of the tension in this film. The rest comes from his developing on-again, off-again relationship with Gwen Stacy (once again, they’ve nailed this; Peter’s first girlfriend in the comics was always Gwen, I’ve no idea what possessed the writers of the first Spider-Man movie to make MJ his first love).

I’ll leave the rest of the plot for you to discover for yourself, especially if you haven’t seen the film yet.

Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield).

The screenplay - by James Vanderbilt and Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves - is as close to perfect as a comic-book adaptation can be, certainly at the time this film was released. As I have already discussed, many of the events, characters and situations in this film are lifted straight from the pages of the original comics, much more than any other Spider-Man movie had been previously. The characters are all accurate to the books, and with plenty of additional conflicts - internal and external - thrown in to flesh out the film.

James Horner’s score is brilliantly constructed, and perfectly suited to the on-screen action throughout. It is at the same time suitably epic and also sufficiently understated when required. At no point does the music dominate or overshadow the action. As you might expect if you are familiar with Horner’s previous work, the score is exclusively orchestral, and the arrangements are very well realised.

Thanks to the cinematography of John Schwartzman, significant portions of the film look as though they have been lifted straight from the pages of a comic book. There is decent use of light and dark which, while it may not win any major awards, is certainly sufficient for the subject matter.

The performances of the cast are equally decent. While not particularly inspirational at any point, they are certainly well-suited to their respective roles. Garfield is an adequate Peter Parker (though the mantle of the best has since gone to Tom Holland of the MCU), and Stone is by far the best on-screen Gwen Stacy to date.

Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone).

The supporting cast are also adequate enough. In selecting a standout among the supporting cast, I can’t go past Rhys Ifans as Dr. Connors. He brings real heart to the character and, conversely, portrays The Lizard with just the right level of impending threat.

I would certainly recommend this film to fans of Spider-Man, though I suspect finding a fan who hasn’t seen this film yet might prove difficult. I would even recommend this film to anyone who didn’t enjoy the trilogy that preceded it, asking you to give the character another chance.

Director Marc Webb has made an incredible adaptation here, one that would only be outdone by its sequel two years later (which I shall be reviewing in due course).

8 out of 10.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Based on the novel 'Alias Madame Doubtfire' by Anne Fine, this family comedy continues to delight me each and every time I watch it. Again. And again.

Daniel Hilliard (Robin Williams) is an out-of-work actor who has just been told by his wife (Sally Field) that she wants a divorce, because he isn't the man she fell in love with any more. He now only gets to see his children (Lisa Jakub, Matthew Lawrence and Mara Wilson) every second weekend, which to him doesn't feel like nearly often enough.

When he hears that his wife is looking to hire a housekeeper to clean, cook and also look after the children after school, he decides to pose as a woman, Mrs. Doubtfire, and applies for the job himself in order to spend more time with his kids.

Enlisting the help of his brother (Harvey Fierstein) and his brother's live-in boyfriend, who work as make-up artists, he transforms himself into this new character, and manages to fool everyone, at least for a while.

While working for his ex-wife, he enjoys being near to the children, but unfortunately, they don't know it's him under the outfit and the make-up, so it doesn't feel the same as it did, anyway. He also has to contend with his wife's new beau - old flame Stuart Dunmire (Pierce Brosnan).

I won't say any more about the plot. If you haven't seen this film yet, first of all, what is taking you so long? But seriously, if you haven't seen it, make sure you take the opportunity as soon as it presents itself; you won't regret it.

Robin Williams is perfect in the roles of both Daniel and Mrs. Doubtfire. Of course, his ability to perform brilliant improvised comedy is no secret, and he makes more than the most of every single opportunity in this film. There are so many brilliant moments that I'm sure were never in the script, but just came out of his mind on the day.

The rest of the cast are good, too. Sally Field and Pierce Brosnan of course have been acting for decades, and they bring a wealth of experience to their roles. But even the kids - relatively inexperienced when this film came out - take to their roles well.

The script does differ significantly from the original novel in many ways. I think the main reason for this is that the novel is very British, and the film made for a very American audience. This isn't necessarily bad, but if you've read the novel, don't expect the film to be the same. And if you've seen the film, don't expect the novel to be the same either. Other than the basic premise of a man posing as a woman to see his kids, the plots of the two mediums do not really align at all.

Chris Columbus, who directed this film adaptation, has put together a great film. There are a lot of great comedic moments, but also a lot of heartfelt moments, particularly towards the end of the film. Then again, this should come as no surprise to anyone who has seen any of Columbus's other films: this is something he can do really well.

All that being said, I will always love this film, and will continue to watch it on at least an annual basis. I encourage you to do the same; it will make you laugh and will touch your heart every single time.

9 out of 10.