Early Monday morning, audiences got a chance to see the new trailer for “The Amazing Spider-Man” at a special Sony event that was held in 13 cities around the world, and I was there. I shared my impressions from that event with you in an earlier piece.
Now it’s your turn to get a look at Sony’s latest attempt to explain the difference between this new version of “Spider-Man” and what we grew used to in the Sam Raimi films.
There’s quite a bit to look for in the trailer. You’ll see Peter Parker, wiseass. You’ll get a glimpse of The Lizard in all his greenness. You’ll see some of the scale that they’re going for this time, as well as the sense of humor that seems like such a fresh addition to the series.
What you won’t see in this online version is the 3D that was such a big part of this morning’s presentation, and I’m still not sure what I think of it. I know Marc Webb shot this film in native 3D, and we’re not looking at post-converted material, but seeing this in the theater today, it felt like a View Master version of the footage. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen 3D cranked up like this, with things existing on multiple planes for no reason other than to be in 3D. I didn’t find it immersive. Instead, I found it oppressive, aggressively in your face. Maybe it will work different when it’s in the film itself, and maybe it was just a matter of getting used to Webb’s approach to the tools. It seems to me that we’re in the Wild West when it comes to shooting in 3D, and every director working in the format these days gets to make up their own rules.
This is an important film for Sony this summer, and today was a major event for them. Based on the general response, I’d say they had a good day, and now it’s time for all of you to weigh in. Does this make you forget about Raimi and Maguire? Does it make you glad they went for a reboot? What stands out for you from this footage?
“The Amazing Spider-Man” opens July 3.