Saw it in Imax 3D. Not really by design but circumstance. Paid $16.50. But, I gotta say the 3D was really good. For me, the best super hero movie is Spider-Man 2. I'd say the reboot was better than Spider-Man 1, not as good as Spider-Man 2, and much better than Spider-Man 3.
Raimi did the Spider-Man I remember as a kid. The Ditko/Romita Spider-Man. So I figure Webb is doing the updated Spider-Man that's closer to what the comics are about today (whatever THAT is because I haven't read the comics on a regular basis in years.)
I liked the web shooters! I liked some of the stylistic choices in how Spider-Man fights -- the way the combat scenes were constructed and edited were fun. There seemed more thought put into how to incorporate Spidey using his webs against his enemies, even cocooning the Lizard at one point. That was awesome.
I also appreciated the attempt to use more real stuntmen in Spider-Man's web-swinging scenes. It felt a lot more real than Raimi's (virtually) all CGI approach.
I thought retelling the origin story was necessary to give the audience the feeling that this character has been through, and earned, the powers he's given. Since it's a new actor playing the character, I think they pretty much HAD to do it. That said, the Spider-bite sequence was just okay. (they really ought to work on their security at that lab)
The death of Uncle Ben felt rushed. The villain was okay. scary in a couple scenes. They decided to incorporate the actor's face in the design. Eh. Same thinking I've seen in so many other films. Feels a bit paint by numbers. Or maybe seeing the actor's face in the creature is just the best solution in terms of creating a "performance."
Other thoughts: I didn't need to have Dennis Leary die at the end. When they killed Gwen's Dad in the comics, it was one of the best, emotionally charged moments in the entire run of the series (because as he dies he reveals to Spier-Man that he's figured out he's really Peter Parker and that he wants him to take care of Gwen.) In the movie they essentially flip that moment: "Stay AWAY from Gwen." I wasn't feeling it. And for Peter to say 'yes' to his deathbed request... and then walk it back in the movie's last scene with Gwen... HUH? And, it's also the exact conflict from the second Spidey movie. "I can't be with you because my enemies will hurt you." Well... we've been there and done that.
I thought Garfield was pretty good. Emma was cute and attractive and their banter felt real and charming.
When I was a kid I LOVED Spider-Man. I didn't quite love this movie... but it had a bunch of moments where it made me feel something emotionally. So I think it's well worth seeing. Excelsior.