Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Action-packed series reboot has lots to offer Spidey fans.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Amazing Spider-Man
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 63 parent reviews
Parents say this movie offers a blend of excitement and some darker themes that may be too intense for younger children, making it more suitable for ages nine and older, especially with parental guidance. While many appreciate the visual effects and character portrayals, others note its increased violence and darker tones compared to previous iterations, making it a mixed bag for family viewing.
- ages 9+
- visual effects
- darker themes
- mixed reviews
- parental guidance
- character portrayal
Summarized with AI
Based on 217 kid reviews
Kids say the film is a mixed bag, with many enjoying the darker and more emotional approach to the story, highlighting strong character development and good performances, particularly by Andrew Garfield and Martin Sheen. However, several reviewers criticize its violence, horror elements, and the portrayal of Peter Parker, suggesting it's not as suitable for younger audiences and can be too intense for some viewers.
- character depth
- intense violence
- dark themes
- mixed reviews
- strong performances
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, young Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) watches his parents rush off in a hurry after parking him with his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field). They never returned, dying in a crash. It's a wound that Peter revisits from time to time, despite a pretty happy childhood overall (though he's not exactly -- or even remotely -- popular). Then, on a visit to Oscorp, the lab where his father once worked, a trip spurred by the discovery of secret files in his father's long-lost portfolio, Peter meets his dad's former colleague, Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), and is fatefully bitten by a spider. Not just any spider: one that somehow transfers its strengths to a teenage Peter. His life will no longer be his own as he struggles to merge his Peter Parker self and his new alter-ego, one who will soon find a dangerous nemesis set to destroy Manhattan.
Is It Any Good?
Director Marc Webb brings a realism to the proceedings that's hard not to like in this superhero reboot. He lingers on the teen romance, which is delightful, and serves up thrilling action sequences without the show-off-y quality that too many superhero movies rely on. One gripe worth airing is about Spider-Man's nemesis: The Lizard seems scary enough, but not so scary as to be a worthy opponent. This Spidey wants to show off, as a teen encountering new powers would, and he deserved a proper fight.
Let's be honest, though: The Spider-Man franchise didn't really need a reboot. Sure, the third film of the last set, which featured the wonderful Tobey Maguire in the titular role, was a bit disappointing, but overall the series was a crowd-pleaser in many ways. So is there any reason to love this new outing, which treads over much of the same backstory as previous films did? Well, yes. Garfield brings a different but equally fantastic energy to the role; his Peter has a skater-on-the-fringes angst that's not emo and not super-boyish (like Maguire) but still perfect for a teenage superhero. He's antsy and curious and very charming. And it helps differentiate The Amazing Spider-Man from previous movies that Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), not Mary Jane Watson, is Peter/Spidey's love interest here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Spider-Man franchise. How is The Amazing Spider-Man different from the 2002 version with Tobey Maguire in the title role? Did this series need a remake of Spidey's origin tale? What do you think the main motivating factor was to make one? The story, or the money to be made?
It's hard to imagine a superhero film without plenty of action, including explosions, fights, and gunfire. How does the impact of the violence in movies like this one compare to that of other action or horror films?
Is Peter a role model before he becomes Spider-Man? After?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 3, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : November 6, 2012
- Cast : Andrew Garfield , Emma Stone , Rhys Ifans
- Director : Marc Webb
- Studio : Columbia Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Superheroes , School ( High School )
- Run time : 138 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of action and violence
- Last updated : October 8, 2026
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