Why a new Spider-Man is worth your time

In theaters Friday: The Amazing Spider-Man, Katy Perry: Part of Me, The Savages, The Queen of Versailles

Settle down, nerds.

As a guy who loves movies, I hate to say this, but in this instance, it’s warranted. The Amazing Spider-Man is just a movie. The old Sam Raimi-directed trilogy is still there if you want to reminisce (read: watch Willem Dafoe chewing scenery, James Franco yawning till the paycheck clears and Maguire moping around–unless he’s wearing the evil black suit, then he’ll be dancing).

Think you’ve seen it all? Did you suffer through all three previous Spider-Men and decide you’ve had enough? Did you love them and don’t want any more? I won’t even get into the giant cluster that was Spider-Man 3. Not a fair fight. But below are five reasons why the latest Spider-Man adventure, in theaters Friday, deserves a chance:

1. Because when Joseph Gordon-Levitt looks at himself in the mirror in (500) Days of Summer and sees Han Solo staring back, you know The Amazing Spider-Man director Marc Webb really gets geeks. Peter Parker is a royal geek at heart, and only through Spider-Man does he find his inner Captain Solo.

2. Because when he dominates his high school nemesis “Flash” on the basketball court, the new Peter Parker, played by a floppy-haired Andrew Garfield, looks exactly like Pete Maravich. Don’t deny the power of “The Pistol.”

3. Because of Boy A.

4. Because of the casting of Denis Leary. He’s the father of your girlfriend that you never, ever, want to meet. Tough as nails, supremely opinionated, and actually, maybe, quite possibly smarter than you.

5. Because Emma Stone is talented, funny and beautiful. She can do whatever she wants. And at 23, that includes being a hero herself alongside Spidey—instead of just villain bait—also, giving a show stopper of a speech.

The Amazing Spider-Man starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone debuts this Friday, July 6. Watch the trailer below: