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WATCH: The Amazing Spider-Man looks like a Bat-beater

Last updated on: February 7, 2012 15:50 IST

He's baack.

And you've never seen him quite like this, except in the comic books. There's been a lot of skepticism about the Spider-Man reboot by Marc Webb, but the sensational new trailer from Sony Pictures is a gobstopping, joyful promise, a fanboy-pleasing little chunk of cinema that should rev us up in time for its July 3 release date.

This, ladies and gents, is clearly the tentpole film of the year. Unlike Tobey Maguire's terrific but earnest Spidey weighed down by guilt, Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man is a lot more like the wisecracking chaosmonger we've come to know in the comic books.

There's a sense of youthful enthusiasm throughout the proceedings, and this does feel a lot more like Marvel Comics own reboot of Spiderman by Brian Michael Bendis, the Ultimate Spider-Man imprint.

Spidey's young, orphaned and trying to find answers, but clearly brilliant enough to solve scientist-confounding equations and to come up with his own answers, masking his lack of surefootedness with sardonic snipes. Webb, the 500 Days Of Summer director with an ideal last name for a Spidey film, has clearly helmed a funny film -- which is Spidey as he should be, cocksure, clueless and far too footloose for most people's liking.

It's a relief to see the film so smartly cast. Rhys Ifans is a very interesting Dr Connors, who will turn into supervillain The Lizard, bringing texture and an odd elegance to the role. Martin Sheen is Uncle Ben (but he'll always remain POTUS to some of us), and Denis Leary is just perfect for the role of the tough city cop, Captain Stacy.

Garfield, that brilliant actor from Boy A and The Social Network, looks just fine as Spidey, scrappy intensity all over his bloodscratched face. I do, however, suspect that the masterstroke lies with the girl. The ever-scenestealing Emma Stone plays Peter Parker's girlfriend Gwen Stacy, and it's no coincidence that the trailer opens and closes with lines by her. She's effervescent, pretty and very natural indeed (the way she snorts with alarm as Peter inadvertently irks her father at dinner is possibly the trailer's truest shot) and after watching superhero-film upon superhero-film with awful heroines cast in pivotal roles, I'd say Pete's finally lucked out.

So be very scared, Batfans. Spidey's coming our way in July -- and he's looking even better than your guy.