Critics’ reviews

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

23 reviews from 23 publications. Critics’ score 63: 10 positive, 9 mixed, 4 negative.

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63
Positive
10
Mixed
9
Negative
4

Most critics find this reboot entertaining and better acted than it needed to be, and the praise clusters on Andrew Garfield. His gawkier, moodier Peter Parker is called sharp, funny and convincing, and his rapport with Emma Stone is the thing most reviews single out. Several say the quieter scenes, the romance and the home life with Uncle Ben, work better than the set-pieces, though Webb’s grounded, fluid action also has its admirers.

The reservations are about necessity. Even the warm reviews ask why the origin story is being told again so soon after Raimi’s trilogy, and the cooler ones call it a paraphrase of films we have already seen. The Lizard is widely judged a weak villain, with The Guardian a rare voice finding Rhys Ifans sympathetic. The spread is wide, from four-star notices to the Evening Standard, which finds it slow, angsty and of limited appeal to adults.

Little White Lies
3 July 2012 · 3/4/4 · Matt Bochenski
80

The critic calls the film a major success that creates its own mythology and future. He praises Webb’s grounded, fluid action and Andrew Garfield’s sympathetic performance, while noting some stale story elements and an underwritten female role.

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Time Out
20 June 2012 · ★★★★ · Dave Calhoun
80

Time Out gives the film a positive four-star review. The available page metadata does not reveal what the critic specifically praises or criticizes.

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Total Film
19 June 2012 · ★★★★ · Kevin Harley
80

Harley finds the reboot bumpy but ultimately stylish and engaging enough to earn a sequel. He praises Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone’s chemistry, as well as the visceral action set-pieces.

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The Hollywood Reporter
21 June 2012 · Jordan Mintzer
76*

Mintzer finds the reboot satisfying, with a darker take on Spider-Man balanced by humor and a convincing origin story. He especially praises the witty, realistic chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, while noting that the 3D feels unnecessary.

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The Guardian
4 July 2012 · Peter Bradshaw
75*

Bradshaw finds the reboot potent and entertaining, with Andrew Garfield convincing as Spider-Man and the story more emotionally literate. He particularly praises Rhys Ifans as a compelling, sympathetic adversary.

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Variety
21 June 2012 · Boyd van Hoeij
70*

The critic finds it an entertaining, emotionally involving reboot that favors character drama over nonstop action. He praises the chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, while finding the Lizard less compelling than the human story.

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Vulture
29 June 2012 · David Edelstein
70*

Edelstein finds the reboot unnecessary but surprisingly good and fresher than the previous series’ third film. He particularly praises Emma Stone’s intelligence and screen presence, which he says makes the romance sparkle.

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Empire
30 July 2007 · Ian Freer
68*

Freer finds the reboot enjoyable and fresh, though uneven and less spectacular than its predecessor. He especially praises the believable central relationship and the performances of Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone.

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RogerEbert.com
64*

The review’s verdict cannot be determined because the page is blocked. Its specific praise or criticism is likewise unavailable.

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Screen Daily
26 June 2012 · Tim Grierson
64*

The page identifies this as a review, but the critic’s verdict is unavailable in the accessible text. No specific praise or complaint can be determined from the page shown.

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Radio Times
★★★ · Stella Papamichael
60

The review finds the film a hasty re-spin that covers familiar ground. It praises Andrew Garfield’s moodier take on Peter Parker, though it says he can seem smug.

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The New York Times
2 July 2012 · Manohla Dargis
50*

Dargis finds the reboot enjoyable but largely unnecessary. She singles out Andrew Garfield’s performance as a bright spot.

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Los Angeles Times
6 July 2012 · Andy Klein
40*

Klein finds the film entertaining but ultimately superfluous, especially for viewers familiar with Raimi’s trilogy. He praises the more compelling romantic chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, while criticizing the familiar action and story.

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The New Yorker
40*

The critic finds the film occasionally charming but ultimately too heavy and lacking in stakes. Garfield’s helpless, newly powered Peter Parker is singled out as entertaining, while the film’s ponderousness draws complaint.

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Evening Standard
8 August 2012
30*

The review finds the reboot slow and overly angsty, with limited appeal for adults. It praises Andrew Garfield’s performance as gawky and nervous yet appealing.

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HeyUGuys
27 June 2012 · ★★★★ · Ben Mortimer
80

The critic finds the film entertaining and a more satisfying Spider-Man adaptation, despite pacing problems and a weak villain. They especially praise Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker as sharp, funny, and true to the character.

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The Wrap
29 June 2012 · Alonso Duralde
75*

The critic finds the reboot thrilling and well handled despite questioning whether another Spider-Man film was needed so soon. The spectacular Manhattan-swinging sequences stand out, while some action feels overly choreographed.

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/Film
2 July 2012 · 7.25/10 · Angie Han
72

Han finds the reboot good but not compelling enough to justify retelling Spider-Man’s origin so soon. She praises Andrew Garfield’s performance and the film’s heartfelt character relationships, while faulting its familiar superhero plot and unimpressive action.

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Eye for Film
19 July 2012 · Stephen Carty
68*

Carty finds the reboot worthwhile despite its familiar story, weak villain, and frustrating plot issues. He especially praises Andrew Garfield’s performance as a convincing, definitive Peter Parker.

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Digital Spy
28 June 2012 · ★★★ · Stella Papamichael
60

The critic finds the film entertaining but less memorable and emotionally effective than Sam Raimi’s original. They praise the lively rapport between Garfield and Stone, while faulting the weaker emotional punch.

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NME
3 July 2012 · Owen Nicholls
60*

The review finds the reboot adequate but too repetitive to establish its own identity, while recommending it. It praises Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, whose performances and chemistry make a sequel appealing.

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Paste
8 July 2012 · 5.9/10 · Michael Burgin
59

Burgin argues that the reboot is an inferior paraphrase of the earlier Spider-Man films and is also weakened by contrived plot developments. He praises Andrew Garfield as the film’s strongest asset, finding him more convincing as an angsty teenager than Tobey Maguire.

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Den of Geek
29 June 2012 · ★★ · Simon Brew
40

Brew finds the reboot disappointing, overly cautious, and lacking excitement. He praises Andrew Garfield’s performance and the scenes focused on Peter Parker’s relationships, especially with Gwen Stacy and Uncle Ben.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate