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Spider-Man
3 My
biggest problem with comic book/super hero movies is when
they focus on more of the secret identity and less of the
costume clad hero. The film’s creators talk about
staying true to the comic and yet in the comics I don’t
seem to remember twenty two pages of Peter Parker talking
to Aunt May. I remember a majority of the pages and panels
involving Spider-Man whuppin' somebody’s ass.
That’s
what I want to see in my Spider-Man movie. Both Spider-Man
and Spider-Man 2 were strong, solid movies, yet
they left me wanting more. Spider-Man 3 however,
is the Spider-Man movie I’ve been waiting my whole
life to see.
The
biggest difference with this third installment is that the
movie moves in a more natural movie pace and you never quite
get a moment to catch your breath. One of my least favorite
factors of the Spider-Man films is the poignant life lesson
speeches from Peter Parker’s good old Aunt May. Even
though she gives three motivational gems this time, they’re
short and sweet and they actually move the story forward
instead of just coming off sappy.
This
time out, our man Parker (the chunky but funky Tobey Maguire)
has a ton to deal with. His budding relationship with Mary
Jane (The butterface Kirsten Dunst), his newfound popularity
as a costumed super hero and repairing his damaged friendship
with Harry Osborn (The Tiger Beat cover boy James Franco).
Not
only that, but old wounds are re-opened when Peter finds
out that the real killer of his Uncle Ben (the thank god
for Spider-Man checks Cliff Robertson) is on the
loose, but more importantly is also a molecularly rearranged
super villain called the Sandman (Thomas Hayden Church).
On top
of all that, Pete’s also got a new found rivalry by
up and coming Daily Bugle Photographer Eddie Brock Jr. (That
'70s Show guy Topher Grace) who’s trying to steal
his job and a possible new love interest with classmate
Gwen Stacy (My new favorite hottie Bryce Dallas Howard).
Oh yeah, and he gets a new black costume.
Man,
that Parker has got it tough, and that’s why we love
him.
One
of the great things about Spider-Man 3 is that
there is so much going on that you can’t not pay attention.
The story is so well conceived that once it starts you’re
along for the ride and you’re breathless the entire
time. The story actually feels, for once in this entire
trilogy, like the Spider-Man I came to know in reading years
of comics. We get lots of good Spidey action in this and
most of it is in costume, and you can’t have good
Spidey action without good Spidey Villians.
Spider-Man
3 introduces three new villains to the mythos. We’re
first introduced to the New Goblin, which if you were paying
attention to either of the first two movies you know his
identity. Next up is the Sandman, played with heart and
sympathy by the totally convincing Church. Finally we meet
Spidey’s alien symbiotic enemy Venom. All of the villains'
origins are handled nicely and convincingly enough to move
the story along quickly. The story stays on track and in
turn pins you to your seat.
Sam
Raimi’s directing has always been solid and good,
but never crisper than this film. Not only that, but the
script by Alvin Sargent is very sharp and evokes lots of
emotional responses and reactions. As always, Raimi pulls
together a great cast, and new additions Church, Howard
and Grace suck you right into their stories. In this film,
the supporting characters are just as engaging as the main
character, and that’s what you want out of a good
story.
Tobey
Maguire does it again, and his performance in this film
will touch you, make you laugh, and stand up and cheer at
the same time. The journey he takes Peter Parker on is a
range of emotions and the whole time you’re on board
because of how he pulls you into it. I’ve never been
quite sure of Maguire as Peter Parker, but let’s just
say that after this movie, I’m a true believer.
The special effects and CGI in this movie
are outstanding. Sandman and Venom are perfect and fanboys
around the country are going to completely lose it. The
Spider-Man effects are better than ever, and like Superman
made you believe that a man could fly, you’ll believe
that a man can spin a web, any size.
This
is a darker Spider-Man film, but in true heroic story telling
fashion, Raimi and crew take our protagonist on his greatest
and most triumphant journey yet. However, watch out for
Emo Peter Parker. It’s a crucial part of the story,
but it actually evoked awkward laughter from the audience.
It’s one of the few faults of the movies, but in a
way, it’s true, nerdy Peter Parker as he continues
his journey to learn the true meaning of "...With Great
Power Comes Great Responsibility.”
The
main theme of this movie is choice. What decisions we make
and how they effect us. Raimi makes the choice of giving
us the best Spider-Man movie yet without compromising his
original vision of the first two films. Not only does this
movie stay truest to the comic stories, it also stays true
to the Spider-Man movies, putting an astounding bookend
to the trilogy. It truly is an amazing endeavor. Or is it
spectacular? Sensational? With this film, the bar has been
raised and this is THE Spider-Man movie. Nuff Said.
Rating:
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