Spider-Man 3 (2007)

SPIDER-MAN 3

To begin: I believe that this movie is the best in the franchise, but honestly… that's not saying a lot. Come on, people. Marvel isn't known for quality cinema. If you want that, look elsewhere. Most films are made for escapism and shock value (special effects). The curse of being in an academic film environment is that you quickly get bored of the norm. I liked Spider-Man and thought the sequel was highly overrated. Spider-Man 3 is actually a good movie with lots of small mistakes. As such, the film at times feels cramped and rushed. I'm going to give you some minor spoilers, but these are things one can deduce from comics or the advertisements. In short, deal with it.

Direction: While Sam Raimi is god to some, to others he is merely above average. I'm the latter. In the past, Raimi's performances from his actors were a bit weak (I'll use the term "Marvel" from now on). That being stated, the bar wasn't set too high. The frames Raimi sets are actually quite good. Mostly an improvement from the previous two. Score: 7.5.

Production: These fellows took a long time in planning this film. It shows. The sets are large, almost epic. The scenes effectively match what the storytellers are trying to convey. It's very good, perhaps the best for a Marvel film. But again, is that saying much? I'm giving a couple of extra points for the opening credits. Score: 8.

Editing: When an actor looks directly into the camera in a non-de-establishing shot (even from an oblong angle), it flat out looks ridiculous. Raimi did it with the previous two films, and it continues. The pacing is good, but not great. Rather like the film itself, the editing has a lot of small things gone awry. Score: 7.

Script: There's improvement with the dialogue. The overall story is not bad. However, time to lightly spoil you. The symbiote comes from the sky in the form of a small meteor. No other explanation (save an off-reference by symbiotes by Dr. Connors). The appearance of the black suit and Venom needed to happen at least a half hour before they did. Sandman's story is not bad, but rushed… almost forced on the audience. Forced emotion is never good for a story. But, it's Marvel. For morons like me, there are loads of Batman references, whether intentional or not. The references themselves are almost as if Marvel is giving up and may irritate the hardcore DC fan. Unfortunately, Sam Raimi is not Christopher Nolan… and Macguire, Dunst, and Franco are not Bale, Caine, and Oldman. Score: 7.

Cinematography: A descent frame. If you've seen one Marvel film, you know exactly what you're getting yourself into. As such, no need to elaborate further. Score: 6.5.

Special Effects: Again, another improvement over the previous two. Yet at points the CGI just looks out of place. CGI won't be truly perfected for another decade, if ever. Again, extra points to the opening credits. Score: 8.

Costuming: Nothing really new here. The black suit looks good, and Venom doesn't have enough screen time to truly matter. However, Topher Grace's (not Venom) facial features with the symbiote are actually quite nice. Score: 7.

Score/Soundtrack: The music is good. However, the music cuts are horrible, and an absolute disaster. I really don't think anyone pays attention to this but me, but it really takes away from the film. I think the crew should critically research the terms "fade in" and "fade out." Score: 7.

Primary Cast: Instead of an overall view, I'll break it down by character. Peter Parker: Another leap forward, perhaps a huge leap forward. Yet the looming presence of Marvel demands the presence of idiocy. In Spider-Man 3? Peter Parker's cockiness (with symbote) is good and bad. A truly bad Saturday Night Fever strut. A truly bad interaction with Ursula (Mageina Tovah), and forced relationship with Gwen Stacy. Spider-Man is actually good, though.Mary Jane Watson: Another step forward. Dunst is now believable, and no longer a lost teenager. Tis perhaps the most developed character for a Marvel film. Harry Osborn: The most improved is Franco's Osborn/New Goblin. The Goblin isn't as bad as one may deduce from the trailers. Did Franco suddenly get acting lessons?Score: 8.5.

Supporting Cast:Flint Marko: Thomas Haden Church is a very good actor stuck in a Marvel film. It's a bit like seeing Peter Fonda in Ghost Rider. However, his ending is quite good.

Gwen Stacy: Her character is rushed. However, I've never seen Bryce Dallas Howard that attractive (and I don't like blondes). Howard does the best with what she has to work with, which is truly not much.

Dr. Connors: Dylan Baker is effective and quite underused. The rumor mill states that he (as the non-Godzilla, non-Lake Placid, Lizard) may be the main antagonist in Spider-Man 4. Hire another screenwriter and I may go on opening night.Aunt May: Another perfect example of a wasted talent on a fairly good character. Maybe Carnage will hang her in a future film, leaving me with a fake tear.

J. Jonah Jameson: J.K. Simmons is the show stealer. Every scene for his character oozes with brilliance, megalomania, and perfection. I would honestly watch an entire film just about him. For me, he was the primary reason why I liked this movie and will see it again later.

Eddie Brock: The screenwriters must be bored of Spider-Man films. Perhaps they sat there, in their little hobbit hole, and decided: "let's copy Topher's character from "That '70's Show and paste it pre-Venom." However, when Brock gets shamed, Grace's performance shines. As before, Venom has too little screen time to do much damage. His character also gets a truly wasted ending. Score: 8.

Spider-Man 3 is a bit like X-Men 3, concluding the trilogy and leaving holes open for another. If you smell Carnage and the Lizard for Spider-Man 4, you would probably be correct at this point. Fortunately, it will be some time before Peter Parker has another venture onto the silver screen. I really wanted to give this movie a better rating, but I, doing justice for all descent and few filmmakers… cannot. Marvel is simply the Halliburton of the film world—a company which will do anything to make money. Yet, despite the many small problems, audiences will enjoy it and it will make a boatload of cash.

Final Score: 8. Grade: B-