SPIDERMAN 3
SPIDERMAN 3: SPIDEY FINDS OUT HE ISN’T PERFECT, BUT FILM IS PRETTY CLOSE
With the latest installment of the Spiderman movies, Sam Raimi pulls a hat track. He shows they can just get better. It is a story about a superhero with everyday human struggles. The special effects are amazing. The new villains have depth but are scarier than we have seen. And the cast is first rate.
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire)’s life is going well. Everybody loves Spiderman. He has the Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), the love of his life, as his girlfriend. He is doing well in school. But trouble is always around the corner for this good guy. His best friend, Harry (James Franco), aka Green Goblin, still blames him for his father’s death. There is a new photographer (Topher Grace) in town trying to take his place as Spidey’s cameraman. The man police originally thought killed his Uncle Ben did not. His killer is actually escaped convict Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church). All of this and more comes to a boil when a meteorite brings a symbiote that brings out Spiderman/Peter Parker’s dark side. He becomes arrogant and self centered. Then he focuses on revenge.
The story in Spiderman 3 isn’t sacrificed in favor of fight scenes and special effects. This movie is the whole package. Peter deals with emotions and struggles that all of us encounter throughout our life. It is what makes him easy to identify with. Peter realizes that even though he is a hero to the people he needs help. Tobey Maguire is at his best when he lets his evil side show. Him strutting through the streets of New York brings to mind a certain scene from Saturday Night Fever. Kirsten Dunst shows that even though Mary Jane is willing to deal with the sacrifice of being with Spiderman, she still needs him to be there for her. Topher Grace is sleazy as photographer Eddie Brock, terrifying as his alter ego Venom. He is a long way from dopey Eric from That 70’s show. Thomas Haden Church as Flint Marko/Sandman is just a man who does bad stuff to try and save his sick daughter, making his character sympathetic. Comic relief does come in the form of a cameo by Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead) as a Maitre d’.
The fight scenes are fantastic. The first one between Spiderman and Green Goblin is scary. You can feel the hate coming from the Green Goblin as he relentlessly goes after Spiderman. The showdown between Spiderman and Sandman and Venom is awesome. The special effects are startling as you watch Sandman and Venom evolve into their evil selves. Sandman’s first steps are hesitant but strong as he focuses on his daughter’s picture. Venom’s suit, teeth, and sounds will give you nightmares. Venom is as menacing as Scarecrow in Batman Begins. This movie is not just a comic book movie, but one for all audiences.
The story felt a little like the story in Spiderman 2. Peter Parker tries to find balance in his new life as Spiderman in 2. In Spiderman 3, he feels that he is at a balance and lets it go to his head. But this is a minor complaint. For what would Spiderman be if he didn’t have some sort of struggle?
Spiderman 3 is the best so far. Peter Parker/Spiderman is still who you root for. Sam Raimi, the cast, the fight scenes, and the special effects continue to make sure of that.
Report Card:
Story-A-
Acting-A
Visuals-A
Originality/Innovation-A
Enjoyability Grade–A
Overall Grade-A-
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