Movie Review

Spider-Man 3

Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 3, 2007

There are only two things that could possibly subdue my excitement for the third installment of the Spider-Man film franchise. I could either see the movie over and over again until the DVD comes out, or I could go to my advanced screening and walk out with a slow limp of disappointment.

Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) really seems to have his life in order. He has finally professed his love to the girl of his dreams, Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst). He is excelling in school, and the city has started to idolize and support Spider-Man. However, not everyone loves Peter and Spidey. Peter’s friend Harry Osborn (James Franco) has still not forgiven him for the alleged murder of his father, and plans to avenge his death by killing Spider-Man. Peter has developed a fierce rivalry with a cutthroat photographer that would do anything for Peter’s job. Peter also finds out that his uncle’s true killer is on the run through the city. The true test is if Peter can handle the battle within.

Let me preface my review by saying this. I am a Spider-Man fanboy, and I represent all that is nerdy. I am not ashamed to admit owning three different DVD releases of Spider-Man 2. I would go as far to say that I have a sickness and I need professional help. So what I am about to say, comes with great pain. I walked out of the theater and could only shake my head. I saw each of the two films at least three or four times in the theater, but I think it is safe to say that I have no desire to see Spider-Man 3 again until its DVD release.

This film, the third installment of the Spider-Man film franchise, has some mighty big guns. The letdown is that these mighty big guns do not pack much punch. The heart of every comic fanboy skipped a beat when the black suit, and Venom were announced as being part of the film. Most people lost sight of Sandman, because the Venom saga and black suit storyline would be much more engaging. The problem with the film is that with three villains, who all obviously need a certain amount of back story and character development, the task of representing each equally has proven to be too difficult.

For fans, the film could be seen as bittersweet. Fun, web-slinging action shots filled the screen and each fight sequence is enough to remind every fan why Spiderman is the greatest superhero of them all. Each fight sequence was amazing, displaying the greatest achievements in special effects that Hollywood has to offer. The only thing that a fan such as myself could ask for, would be more action between Spidey and his nemeses.

I did find most of the film to be too camp or over the top with flair. I know Spider-Man is known for cheesy dialog, but to see him paraded around New York city yelling “shazam” and thrusting his hips at pretty girls on the sidewalk is just a bit too much for any fan to bear. The personality of Peter Parker in this film, black suit or not, was just frustrating. It was fun at times, but at others it stunk of disappointment. The only solace for a Spider-Man fan could be that Gwen Stacy, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, was looking wicked hot.

The films pace would pick up a bit with an amazing action sequence, and then come to a screeching halt as another storyline was introduced. It was as if each villain gracefully bowed out behind the curtain to let a fellow Spidey rival take his shot. Where the film showed a lot of potential in boasting three villains, it failed miserably in creating a sense of personality. I think every fan would have been content with the mere introduction of Venom, if it meant that the integrity of the character remained intact. The film simply displayed too little of a good thing. One villain would have been enough, and two would have been fun. However in the case of this film, three is a crowd.