Stars: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Irrfan Khan
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Director Marc Webb, who has directing credits for video documentaries and the episodic television shows “The Office,” and “Lone Star,” is winning praise from critics with this artfully done installment of the Spider-Man franchise. And Andrew Garfield in the title role is perhaps even better suited to play Peter Parker than Tobey McGuire. McGuire always seemed, to put it politely, a little too slight to wear the superhero costume — like your 80-year-old grandmother could make mincemeat out of him. Garfield’s Spider-Man has an air of mystery and a tinge of menace; attributes he’ll need to take some market share from Batman, Superman and the Avengers. Spider-Man fans will appreciate the mix of action, drama and eye candy in the form of Emma Stone, playing Spidey’s love interest, Gwen Stacy. We don’t know if Spider-Man is half man, half arachnid; science experiment; or extraterrestrial, but we do know movie lovers will be thoroughly entertained. –p.d. lee
