Amazing Spider-Man, The 3D

The Amazing Spider-Man is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high scholar who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. When Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance-leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero. (Gary Reber)

Special features on the Blu-ray Disc include a Second Screen app; commentary with Marc Webb, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach; What Is The Amazing Spider-Man Second Screen Experience?; previews; and upfront ads. The special features disc includes the behind-the-scenes documentary Rite Of Passage: The Amazing Spider-Man Reborn (HD 01:49:49), 11 deleted scenes (HD 16:50), 16 Pre-Visualization Sequences (HD 39:08), The Oscorp Archives Production Art Gallery, four Image Progression Reels (HD 02:42), eight Stunt Rehearsals (HD 11:52), and the featurette Developing The Amazing Spider-Man Video Game (HD 03:30). Included is the 3D disc, the Blu-ray Disc, a Special Features disc, and the DVD.

The 2.39:1 1080p MVC 3D picture was shot natively with additional 3D conversion by Gener8, Legend 3D, and Reliance Media Works. The movie was digitally produced by 3D Producer Steve Schklair at Sony Pictures Studios. Both the 2D and 3D picture attributes are darkly cast, but the color palette is naturally well balanced with warm hues and effective emphasis at times. Generally, though, the stylization is designed to be subdued. Contrast is excellent, with solid and deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Fleshtones are naturally cast. Resolution is superb and especially evident in the nuance detail exhibited on Spider-Man' suit and the lizard's skin. As this is a relatively dark visual experience, for optimization view in a black, darkened room through a display device capable of excellent native contrast. The 3D elements are natural, if not slightly reserved, and deficient in dynamic dimensionality. Still, the 3D depth and perspective tops the otherwise conventional 2D version. The action scenes do intensify the 3D effects, which effectively enhance the excitement and Spider-Man's fluid swings through canyons of the cityscape. It is these action scenes that deliver impressive 3D and dynamically shape the sense of natural space and effective depth. Absent is any trace of crosstalk ghosting. This is a fine native 3D viewing experience that delivers perfectly natural dimensionality and pristine imagery. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is dynamically and spatially engaging, with an aggressive holosonic® soundfield that is immersive and enveloping, with effective directionalized atmospherics and sound effects. Atmospherics and sound effects move about the soundfield with precise pans and positioning. Such is enhanced with effective .1 LFE extension to, at times, below 25 Hz and provides a natural low-end foundation. James Horner's orchestral music score is dynamic and well recorded with a wide and deep soundstage and enveloping surround presence. Dialogue is always intelligible, though, more precise spatial integration is wanting at times. The soundtrack presents convincing soundscapes and immerses listeners in such a way as to convincingly create the sonic environment of each scene. This is an impressive soundtrack with plenty of nuanced sonics that nicely supports the 3D visual dimensionality. (Gary Reber)