Review of Spiderman 3

Just saw Spider-Man 3, not that I have much of a choice in the matter as the Spiderman juggernaut has conquered Singapore movie theatres. If you are not watching Spiderman 3, you are not watching a movie period.

But enough of my bitching, on to the review. In case you are from Mars, Spider-Man 3 is the third superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Spiderman. At $258 million, it is the most expensive movie ever made.

The movie starts with Peter Paker (Tobey Maguire) enjoying life as Spider-Man and planning to propose to Mary Jane. Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) on her end is beginning her Broadway career. Peter's best friend, Harry Osborn (James Franco), still seeks vengeance for his father's death and attacked Spiderman early in the film. The battle leaves Harry with short-term amnesia.

A small meteorite crashes New York City and an alien symbiote oozes out. It attach itself to Peter Parker's bike and follows him home. Later, a captain from the police informs Peter and Aunt May that a small-time crook named Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church) was the one who killed his uncle, Ben Parker. Peter then go all swearing vengeance again and waits for Marko to strike again. While asleep, the symbiote bonds with his costume and Peter discovers that not only has his costume changed, but that his powers have been enhanced as well. The black suit also alters Peter's personality, making him more violent and aggressive.

Flint Marko however has fallen into a particle accelerator and is transformed into a shape shifting sand monster, the Sandman. After a near fatal attack on Marko during a battle in the subway, Peter then exposes and humiliates Eddie Brock Jr. (Topher Grace), a rival photographer who has sold fake pictures of Spider-Man. Harry Osborn then recovers from his amnesia and threatens to kill Peter unless MJ breaks up with him. After Mary Jane leaves Peter, stating she is in love with another man, Harry meets Peter at a restaurant and claims to be the other man. Peter confront Osborn at the Osborn mansion. Peter is victorious in a battle that leaves Harry's face disfigured.

After a scuffle where he accidentally throws MJ to the floor, Peter discovered that the black suit is changing him for the worse. After a night of soul-searching, Peter decides to get rid of the symbiote. He went to the church tower but was unable to pull the suit off. However the sound waves from the church bells weaken the symbiote, thus freeing Peter. Eddie Brock is at the same church. The symbiote falls from the tower and takes over Brock, who became Venom.

Later, Venom finds Sandman and they join forces to destroy Spider-Man. The pair use Mary Jane as bait (again) to lure Spider-Man out. Harry turned down Peter's appeal for help. Spider-Man arrives but is overmatched by both villians. Harry then arrives and rescues Peter. Two-on-two, Sandman & Venom vs Spiderman & the Green Goblin.

As the fight progresses, Harry saved Peter by jumping in front of his own glider. Remembering what happened in the church, Peter frees Eddie from the symbiote by creating sound waves from several pipes. Peter throws a pumpkin bomb at Venom and both Eddie and the symbiote were destroyed. After the battle, Marko tells Peter that he had no intention of killing Ben Parker, that it was a pure accident. Peter forgives Flint. Peter and a dying Harry forgive each other before Harry dies with Mary Jane and Peter by his side.

Remember when I said that the movie was the most expensive ever made? It shows. The special effects was great, especially anything to do with Sandman. When he changed shape, you could see the grains of sand that was moving in his body. The pacing was also good. Although it's long, it never felt tedious or boring in any parts. James Franco and Thomas Haden Church did well in their roles as the two conflicted villians.

Tobey Maguire didn't do as well as Spiderman. I know he is a respected character actor but his Peter Parker just didn't do it for me. When Peter has the black suit, he was a alpha-male. A aggressive go-getter. Maguire came across as more goofy than anything. There was also too many things happening in this film. It almost as if they know this is the last movie so they must squeeue everything in. Why else was Gwen Stacy in the movie? She hardly do anything.

Overall, this is a great movie. Easily the best of the Spiderman trilogy, it had plenty of humor and action. The feelings of angst (by Sandman) and personal betrayal (by Green Goblin) was heartfelt and these two were the heart of the movie. (Ironic since they are the bad guys) A fitting end to the trilogy, go watch Spiderman 3. You have no choice in the matter.