Review of Spider-Man 3 (2007) by Bridger B — 11 Aug 2014

Spiderman 3 is one of the most frustrating superhero films I've seen and there are many reasons for that. When I watched this film when it first came out I liked it fine. However, with each viewing I like it less and less. There are still things in it I enjoy but I cannot say it's a good film. It is not the worst Spiderman film I've seen. I like this more than Amazing Spiderman. Spiderman 3 at least entertained me in places, while Amazing Spiderman was just boring. So, in my opinion, this film is not the worst but it's pretty close. I'm not a fan of Amazing Spiderman 2 either but I'll even say that film is better than this one. Amazing Spiderman 2 did not screw-over Venom, one of my favorite comic book villains. This review will contain some SPOILERS so be warned.

There are some good points to this film. Like I said it is fun and entertaining in places. The fights are good. I will give this movie this point. The fights here are much better than any of the fights in the new films. The fight between Harry and Peter in the city at the beginning was a great fight. The two fights Spiderman had with Sandman are both fun to watch. The final fight itself was also pretty entertaining despite how they screwed-over all the characters involved especially Venom. The special effects are top-notch. They should be great since I heard this cost about as much to make as Avatar if not more. The music is beautiful as well. Danny Elman didn't return this time around but the guy they got as his replacement did a very good job. The score sounds the same as the other two movies except for a couple new tracks. One of them is the Symbiote Theme which is fantastic. Unfortunately, this is where the good points end.

One of the main problems of Spiderman 3 is that nobody is likable. The characters I liked in the first two films like Peter and Harry become unlikable and stupid and characters I disliked before like Mary Jane become even more unlikable. Peter comes off as a little too whiny and dorky in this and that's saying something. Maybe it's the fact that him and Mary Jane's relationship is so painful in this that I find myself liking him less.

When he gets the black suit, instead of, it turns him into a huge emo dork and a horrible dancer. When he gets the suit he is supposed to become angrier and more badass like in the comics, not a bigger dweeb than he already is. The emo Peter scenes have no place, they aren't funny, and are just painful. This was definitely not what I was expecting when I heard they were going to cover black suit Spiderman.

Another huge problem is that there are too many villains and plot points happening, so things feel rushed just don't make any sense; case-in-point Harry's character and his soap opera nonsense. From the ending of Spiderman 2, Harry really should really have been the main character for this film. However, since Sam Raimi wanted Sandman and the studios wanted Venom, he gets sidelined for most of the film and then turned good on some eye-rolling contrivance. The way they get him out of the picture is lame as well. He gets amnesia and then conveniently snaps out of it when the plot needs him again. Plus, turning his character good on a dime at the end just doesn't make sense. Harry dying at the end is the nail in the coffin for his character.

Then there is Sandman. I have no idea what Sandman was doing here. Raimi wanted to push this guy as the main villain of this film, but why? Harry had already been set up as the main villain so why would he want to replace him with this guy. I know Sandman loves the early Spiderman comics and he is a fan of Sandman. I don't care if you like Sandman Raimi; he has no place in this story. He is not interesting and in the comics I hear he's even more boring.

Also, they really try to make you sympathize with him and his situation with his sick daughter. However, his actions often do not coincide with his goal, particularly at the end. In the third act Sandman joins Venom to kill Spiderman. Why? In what way does killing Spiderman help your cause? I feel no sympathy for this guy.

Not-to-mention the way they try to make him relevant in the story is not only stupid, but beyond contrived. We find out that Sandman is really Uncle Ben's killer. How did Raimi or the studios think that was a good idea? It not only makes no sense, but it also harms some of Peter's character. Now, whether Peter stopped that robber or not, his uncle would have died either way. What drugs were you doing at the time Raimi?

Now for this film's greatest sin, Venom, who is one of my favorite comic book villains. Since he is one of my favorite villains you can imagine my disappointment by his portrayal here. Unlike most people, I think Topher Grace could have been a good Eddie Brock if he had been given a better script. However, this character is nothing like the character from the comics. He is a delusional asshole who blames everyone for his problems except himself. His motivation for hating Peter/Spiderman is stupid and of his own making. I will say that when we see the Venom costume in full it looks great. However, most of the time the Venom face is peeled back and we just see Topher's face. I know Raimi hates Venom but that's no excuse to butcher him so much.

He is barely in the film too. Venom does not appear until the third act which would not be as big of a problem if there was good build-up to him which there wasn't at all. They should have just set-up Venom and leave for al following movie which was their original plan.

Overall, Spiderman 3 is a mess of a movie. The visuals are great, the music will get you pumped, and the action is entertaining. However, beyond that there really is nothing here. The characters and story (the most important elements) are all over the map. Plus, they destroyed my favorite Spiderman villain. While I don't think this is the worst Spiderman film, it definitely comes in at a close second.