More isn't always better, sometimes it's just…more.
“Spider Man 3” is more of everything that audiences loved in the first two Spider Man films, making it—a priori—a great Spider Man movie.
So, if you loved the first two, you will probably love the third installment as well.
Director Sam Raimi is back for the third time, as are all of the main actors: Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spidey, Kirsten Dunst as girlfriend Mary Jane, and James Franco as former-friend-turned-vengeful-enemy Harry.
Still a little peeved at Spider-Man's role in the death of his father, Harry assumes the persona of the Green Goblin to try to eliminate him. The first big fight scene between these two is long, jumbled, and dizziness-inducing to the point that it is hard to watch. But, hey—we wanted more, right?
And more is what we get--because one villain is certainly not enough for a Three-quel! No way, Sandman Jose!
A good number of villains for a Three-quel is…hmmmmm, maybe THREE? Enter Thomas Haden Church as the shape-shifting Sandman, and Topher “That 70's Show” Grace as Venom, two very bad guys with grudges against Spider Man. Now we're talkin'! Who cares if the storyline is crazily convoluted? Bring on the action!
Before becoming the Sandman, Church's character is Flint Marko, the thief who pulled the trigger on Peter's Uncle Ben. He is being chased by police when he falls into a big pit being used for scientific research.
Big kudos goes to Sam Raimi's script-writing talents here as he gives us one of those unforgettable movie moments when a scientist barks the command, “Begin de-molecularization!”
The “de-mole” action works just fine—it's the “re-mole” that goes a little haywire, hence the creation of Sandman. It's a good thing, too, because the special effects with Sandman's sand are definitely one of the coolest parts of the film.
Likewise for the effects that allow the “symbiote”--a glob of black extra-terrestrial goop--to take over first Peter (who is later able to reject it), and then Eddie Brock (Topher's character).
When the goop-suit slimes onto Eddie, he changes from a pushy photographer into a multi-fanged spider-like villain known to Marvel comic book readers as Venom. (By the way, watch for a cameo appearance by “Spider Man” creator Stan Lee—he has one line as a man in Times Square who praises Spider Man.)
The film is long (about 2 ½ hours) so that Spider-Man has time to fight each of the villains separately, plus the big brouhaha finale that involves all four characters with superpowers while (what else?) Mary Jane's life dangles by a spider-thread. There is even time for a little Broadway in this storyline, with Mary Jane singing and Peter Parker doing a dance number!
Thematically speaking, “Spider Man 3” brings a great deal of “more of the same,” including the on-going themes of grief and anger over Uncle Ben's death, ups and downs in Peter's romantic relationship with Mary Jane, and jealousy in the romantic triangle formed by Mary Jane, Peter and Harry.
A theme that is explored more deeply in this outing is the idea of the potential for good and evil existing in both superheroes and super-villains.
When the symbiote attaches itself to Peter, it brings out his aggressive side, changing him from a mild-mannered geek to an egotistical, on-the-make poseur—a transformation that is absolutely hilarious to watch and, in my opinion, one of the best parts of the film. After all, the everyday Peter Parker character can become a little boring.
According to the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com), “Spider Man 3” has already set two records: 1) it is the most expensive film ever made, with a budget of over $250 million; and 2) it broke the record held by “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest” for the biggest single day revenue on its opening night, taking in $59.3 million.
That last statistic translates into four out of five movie-goers having seen the movie on its opening weekend!
If you are that fifth movie-goer, and you liked the first two Spider-Man films, then you probably should go see this one on the big screen.
Just be sure to take your Dramamine if you're prone to motion sickness!
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