Film Review: Spider-Man 3 (2007)

SYNOPSIS:

A strange black entity from another world bonds with Peter Parker and causes inner turmoil as he contends with new villains, temptations, and revenge.

REVIEW:

The 3rd in the Spider-Man trilogy directed again by the kinetic minded Sam Raimi. This was to be the last of the series featuring the talents of Raimi, Kirsten Dunst and Tobey Maguire. Like its previous films, it carries over the storylines seamlessly into this 3rd offering. This time it would cater not to just one but 2 villains (3 if you count the re-appearance of “The Goblin” now aka per James Franco)

The movie moves at fast pace featuring action scenes unlike any we’ve ever seen. This great final confrontation between Peter Parker and his best-friend-turned-against-him Harry Osborn is like a live action comic book coming to life before out eyes. Peter trying to rectify his friendship is confronted by Harry who still blames him for his father’s death. The 2 of them do battle in the streets and alleys to a high energy kinetic showdown. Though Harry who lacks Parker’s spider strength eventually gets knocked off his Goblin-skateboard landing him in the hospital. As a result, Harry loses his memory for the time being also forgetting about his former conflict with Peter

“Spider-Man 3” like others introduces the emergence of 2 noteworthy villains from the Spider-man franchise. The “Sand Man” played by the perfect fit of an actor Thomas Haden Church (also known as character Flint Marko ) and the alien black-goo turned villain “Venom”. In fact there is so much story going on in this one that fans will have to dance back and forth between the conflicts and battle. Parker now the love interest boyfriend to Mary Jane Watson is on the verge of proposing. The 2 have blossomed a wonderful relationship with the secret of the Spiderman now out in the open between them. Mary Jane Watson is struggling with her stage and theatre performance while Parker has fully embraced his Spiderman role and new look on life.

An alien meteor lands that releases a black goo which later becomes “Venom”. The liquid attaches to its host as a symbiote and takes them over giving it a dark side outlook on life. Or rather influencing its host to gravitate to their darker side.

In this 3rd spider-man story, we are introduced to all sorts of subplots. Peter embracing his fame as Spider man becomes self absorbed and ignorant to the feelings of Mary Jane. His lab partner Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard) unknowingly kisses Spiderman in public celebration and starts a jealous conflict between Mary Jane and Peter. Peter finds competition in a savvy new photographer Eddie Brock (Topher Grace) who wants Peter’s job at the Daily Bugle. Peter’s best friend Harry begins to regain his memory about what happened to his father and revives a personal vendetta against Spider man (Peter).

As relationships get complicated, and friendships start to waver, the changed Peter finds himself becoming accustomed to a new version of himself…the “black suited” Spider-man. Not knowing that the alien parasite has overtaken his costume, Peter starts to get more confident, violent, and emotionally short tempered.

Peter sets out to kill the “Sand Man” (after finding out that he may be the reason for his uncle’s death) and begins a character change. When Harry blackmails Mary Jane into severing her ties with Peter, Peter takes on a hipper (and comical) version of himself complete with tacky moves, dancing and one liners.

With all this going on you’d “think” you’ve jumped into several movies. However it all moves along in unison and provides a solid package of entertainment. The main villain of the movie is revealed when Peter finally separates himself from his black suited parasite (of which it consumes foe Eddie Brock into a full formed “Venom”). United with Sandman, the 2 of them take on the web slinger in a final conflict to the death. Harry discovers that Peter was not responsible for his father’s death and comes to his aid as the “new goblin”. You have to love this film which includes some of the most wildest action sequence ever set to screen. Even with the element of CGi behind it, it looks quite fantastic and dynamic. I have to say I’m not sure the trilogy could have been ended any better way than this final entry for the team. A great film with a great closure on our hero.

Spider-Man 3 (2007)