Review of Spider-Man 3 (2007) by Ryan H — 11 Jul 2017

The first 2 movies were excellent and I expected a lot from this one this one and although it is a little below par it is in no way a lousy movie.

Many Marvel readers would have had their own preconceptions about this one. The Venom character especially is a firm favourite and, like the Surfer in the recent FF movie, it can backfire in some people's eyes if it is not done right.

The Sandman is one of Marvel's longest running villains, and over the years he has shown different sides to his nature so the idea of his redemption is nothing new. I do feel the twist with his involvement in Uncle Ben's death was an unnecessary diversion and his updated origin I have to agree with some reviewers is just plain daft. It was nice to see him appear in the classic 1960's striped shirt outfit though and Thomas Haden Church is outstanding.

Harry Osborn returns as a new homicidal Green Goblin who also undergoes redemption by the end of the film, James Franco also stands out in this role. Having both Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy appear was a good idea, but it lacks the impact of their comic book characters.

Photographer Eddie Brock's hatred of Peter Parker after his dismissal from the Daily Bugle adds an extra twist and when he is taken over by the alien symbiote you know it will end in fireworks.

There are so many good background characters here, J.K.Simmons is superb and is the embodiment of JJJ at his usual ranting self, other Bugle regulars Betty Brant and "Robbie" Robertson and Willem Dafoe is back in a Norman Osborn flashback cameo.

The three villain idea has been derided as cramming too much in and losing impact. There is a grain of truth there but the action scenes are very well handled and the way the Sandman's CGI transformation is portrayed is first rate.

If I had one major grumble it is that I had hoped the Lizard would appear in this movie with Dr. Connors being in place since the first movie, surely a fourth movie is not too much to ask for. The beauty of the Spider-Man franchise is the vast array of villains and supporting characters from over 40 years to choose from, please don't stop now.