"Peter! Be a man and apologize to Aunt May!"
"I..."
"This is something you should do! If you don't keep your promises, that's on you!"
"Sorry, I got delayed. It wasn't intentional."
"Don't make excuses! Do you know how long Aunt May waited for you at the subway station? Do you realize how dangerous it is to be out alone at night?"
"Ben, don't lecture him. He's back now, isn't he?"
"No, you coddle him too much! This kid needs to learn his lesson. He can't just brush this off!"
On the enormous IMAX screen, Xu Can holds his own, acting alongside two veteran actors. The timeline for this film is set four years later than the 2002 version of Spider-Man, so the original actors were too old for the roles. However, the actors in The Amazing Spider-Man deliver equally impressive performances, each version with its own strengths.
For this film, the crew invited Martin Sheen and Sally Field to reprise their roles as Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Both seasoned actors, they shared their wealth of experience with Xu Can on set. Xu Can, a young actor with a remarkable depth of spirit, left the veteran actors impressed.
"Peter," Uncle Ben says, taking a deep breath to calm himself. "I know you're going through changes. I went through this stage too. These critical years will determine the kind of person you'll become."
"Oh? And what will happen to me?"
Peter, subconsciously resentful of Uncle Ben's lecturing, asks with a hint of sarcasm.
"My child, no matter what, when you make a promise, you have a responsibility to keep it."
"But..."
"And about that boy, Flash Thompson—just because you can beat him doesn't make it right."
Uncle Ben looks at Peter seriously, his voice full of earnestness.
"You need to develop your own sense of values and learn to judge what's right. Remember... with great power comes great responsibility."
As movie fans eagerly awaited, this iconic line—central to the Spider-Man ethos—was finally spoken. Unfortunately, at this point, Peter couldn't fully grasp the weight of those words.
"I'm not doing anything illegal, so stop lecturing me."
"I'm not trying to preach. I'm not your father, so I don't need to give you big speeches..."
"Then stop acting like my father!"
Peter storms out, slamming the door behind him with such force that it shatters a glass pane.
"Peter!"
"I'll go talk to him," Uncle Ben says, concerned, as he hurries out into the night.
At a nearby convenience store, Peter buys a bottle of Coke and asks the cashier for change. The white cashier glances at him with disdain.
"No change."
"You're supposed to give change!"
"Hey, if you don't want it, don't buy it..."
"Jerk!"
Peter mutters angrily and turns to leave. Xu Can's portrayal, with his subtle Chinese features, draws a racist slur from the clerk.
"Chink!"
Peter, now furious, is about to confront the clerk when a masked man suddenly bursts in, brandishing a gun.
"Hand over the money!"
The robber snatches a wad of cash and bolts. The clerk shouts for Peter to stop him, but still fuming from the insult, Peter lets the robber go. As the thief exits, he tosses Peter the bottle of Coke.
Walking through the night, Peter gradually calms down. Xu Can's nuanced micro-expressions convey the shift in Peter's emotions perfectly. Casual viewers might miss the subtlety, but film critics in the audience are notably impressed.
"Is he really a new actor? His control over micro-expressions is flawless!"
"This guy's acting is extraordinary!"
"In terms of performance, this Spider-Man is top-notch! The casting was spot-on!"
Bang!
A gunshot echoes nearby.
Curious, Peter rushes toward the sound, only to find a familiar figure lying on the street.
Panic consumes Peter as he recognizes Uncle Ben. Ignoring the police barriers, he desperately tries to reach him.
This scene, often used in acting classes in North America, showcases the actors' abilities through seemingly simple yet powerful shots.
"The witness provided a sketch of the suspect. Have you seen this person?"
"No, I don't know him."
Uncle Ben is dead, and the police are searching for a suspect. Peter, standing nearby, realizes with horror that the suspect is the robber he let escape. Xu Can's layered performance captures Peter Parker's deep regret and anger.
The second half of the film is packed with action scenes featuring Spider-Man in his iconic suit, but it's the earlier, more emotional scenes that truly highlight Xu Can's acting prowess.
As the camera focuses on his face, Xu Can radiates fury and determination. He tracks down the murderer on his own, initially wearing a makeshift hood to conceal his identity. Eventually, to avoid detection by the police, he creates Spider-Man's classic red-and-blue suit with cut-out ski goggles as the mask. He also upgrades his web shooters with technology stolen from OsCorp.
A rapid montage sequence reveals Spider-Man's transformation in just a few minutes. He stands atop a building, gazing down at the chaotic nighttime cityscape of New York.
"The suspect is a white male, approximately 35 years old, last seen walking along 19th Street..."
After tuning into the police radio, Spider-Man swings through the city, testing his powers in a thrilling sequence. Compared to 2002, Hollywood filmmaking had advanced significantly by 2006. Director Marc Webb used the latest filming technology, including Spydercam—a first-person tracking system named after Spider-Man!
The camera follows Spider-Man's perspective as he swings between towering buildings, leaving the audience breathless. With the enormous IMAX screen and Dolby surround sound, watching the movie feels almost like a 4D roller coaster ride.
One word: exhilarating.
Three words: absolutely mind-blowing!
The film delivers a visual spectacle unlike anything the audience has ever experienced.
"Wow! This is a real superhero movie!"
"It's exactly how I imagined Spider-Man would be! I nearly cried!"
"I'm going to watch this 100 more times!"
"That $1,000 scalper ticket was worth every penny just for this scene!"
The audience, electrified, erupts in cheers, many covered in goosebumps.
"Hey, you!"
After a series of heart-pounding stunts, Spider-Man finally tracks down the man who killed Uncle Ben.
"Who are you? A cop? Get lost."
The suspect snaps, clearly annoyed.
"Seriously? I'm dressed like this, and you think I'm a cop? What cop wears tights?"
"You..."
"Shut up! When adults are talking, kids should stay quiet."
Whoosh—
Spider-Man shoots webbing, sealing the suspect's mouth shut.
This scene perfectly captures Peter Parker's quick wit and humor, staying true to the comics. After a series of tricks, Spider-Man has the suspect completely tangled in webbing, helplessly at his mercy.
Spider-Man seems to leap off the screen, as if he's truly come to life.
At this point, no one doubts Xu Can's ability to embody Spider-Man. Whether in emotional scenes or action-packed sequences, he has perfectly captured the character's essence while adding his own unique flair.
This moment marks the first major climax of the film. The upcoming showdown with the villain will continue to elevate the story to new heights!
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