Spiderman 2, hopefully NOT the direction of Spiderman 3

Rating: 6/10 (27 October 2006)

I have spoken to many people regarding the Spiderman franchise thus far and most prefer the second film because it has better action, effects and a quicker pace. Ah yes, the magic that is Hollywood and its manipulation of the bells and whistles to distract the audience from what is truly satisfying, namely good story.
That's not to say that Spidey 2 was not a good story. The problem is, was that the story of Spidey 2 was the same as Spidey 1, but on steroids. Peter has problems coping with his powers, been there. Peter has issues dealing with his love for MJ, done that. Peter has a father/son type relationship with an arch villain that wants to kill him, does this sound familiar? Spiderman 2 does not raise the stakes for Peter because we already know that Peter's action or inaction can harm those he loves most. This connection is made more specifically between Peter and MJ this time around, but was no more dangerous than being chucked off a bridge by the Goblin in the first film. I liked Spiderman 2 because I like Spiderman and Alfred Molina (who is the true shining light in this picture).
Now for my fears of Spidey 3: The steps that Spidey 2 took in its presentation appear to emulate those of the Batman films. Batman 3 and 4 ultimately failed due to the inclusion of too many characters, less screen time for actors and the consequent sloppy/humorous performances by all.
I truly hope this is NOT the final destination for Spidey 3, but we already have 3 villains for Peter to content with: Harry Osborne, Sandman, and Venom. Details, of course, are minimal but we can assume a starkly different alien symbiote origin story than that established in the comics (Secret Wars); most likely they will connect the arrival of the symbiote with Colonel Jameson's return from a space mission.
Sandman's inclusion is puzzling despite the fact that he was the super villain Peter was fighting in Amazing Spiderman #298 and #299 which were also the first appearances of Venom. Sandman, though, has no further connection to Peter, his friends and family or Venom so I can't see Sandman as being more than villain-canon-fodder and plot distraction at this point.
Topher Grace as Eddie Brock is a MIS-CAST! Topher = skinny That 70s Show boy with a quirky charisma about him. Eddie Brock = buff, pseudo-Olympic style build with a hint of insanity. I don't see the connection so the CGI for Venom better be SUPERIOR to convince us! And while I'm on this subject, I do not like how the symbiote emulates the Spidey movie costume, just in black. The comic book symbiote featured an aggressive white wrap around spider insignia on a purely black spandex suit, I know, hot! Already Spiderman 3 has taken strides to become an insane success or fan-boy flop. I just hope that the formula that conceived Spidey 2 does not drive Spidey 3 because it will result in Batman and Robin.