A Shell of Spider-Man

Rating: 8/10 (12 May 2007)

"Spider-Man 3" feels 2 hours and 20 minutes long. Returning Director and Writer Sam Raimi along with co-writers Ivan Raimi and Alvin Sargent seem to be running on fumes in this third installment of the Spider-Man tale. Uncharacteristically, the storytelling is messy. There are way too many villains: New Goblin, Sandman, and Venom. Peter Parker's (Tobey Maguire) journey into Darth Vader territory, down the dark side ends up more repulsive instead of sympathetic. This is a critical miscalculation. Maguire's earnest and strong performance as Peter and Spider-Man barely salvages "Spider-Man 3". Overall, "Spider-Man 3" is well crafted and visually spectacularthat's all. I loved "Spider-Man 2". I thought that "Spider-Man 2" was not only a great sequel, but also a great movie on its own. "Spider-Man 2" had the great scene with Aunt May saying, "I believe there is a hero in all of us" That story was all about inspired greatness and being a hero. "Spider-Man 3" seems to have forgotten that cultural context. Although pretty to look at, "Spider-Man 3" is a shell with glossy veneer. This is a little disappointing coming from the talented Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire.
In "Spider-Man 3" the opening narration by Peter (Maguire) astonishingly sounds full of himself; thus, hinting the hero's pitfall. Peter seems to believe his own press clippings. Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) is the lead on a Broadway show. Peter is thinking about asking MJ to marry him. Freelance news photographer Peter has a rival in smarmy Eddie Brock (Topher Grace). And he also has potential rival for his affections in the beautiful Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard). Harry Osborn (James Franco) has sworn vengeance upon Peter and Spider-Man for the death of his father. To add to the convolution, escaped criminal Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church) goes through a surprising transformation in a scientific mishap. Marko may also be involved in the murder of Peter's Uncle Ben. Finally, an extra-terrestrial parasite infects Peter. This galactic symbiotic creature unbridles everyone's darker nature.
"Spider-Man 3" aspires for greatness. However, it is off focus, clunky and kluged. The strong performances by Maguire, Harris, and Franco are really left in a lurch without a compelling story. Fortunately, Raimi's narrative focuses near the end. Though clumsy throughout, I believe Raimi wanted to tell his story of forgiveness. Visually, the movie is stunning. The opening aerial battle between Peter and New Goblin (Fanco) is breathtaking. The inconsistent and bewildering Sandman effects are technical marvels. A lot of money was spent making "Spider-Man" look great. What would have served the movie might have been less villains and perhaps a cathartic examination of our own dark side. Tobey Maguire is great as Peter Parker. However, in his darker manifestation the normally engaging Maguire is not at all sympathetic. The misstep is almost costly, because of the inherent semi-comic tone. Maguire's innate earnestness and calm retrieve this from the abyss. On the other hand Kirsten Dunst comes off very whiny as MJ. Granted her character's life is not going as she had wished; she is still unpleasant. James Franco is charismatic as Harry.
"Spider-Man 3" has some spectacular action scenes. It is in its quiet moments void of "sound and fury" that the movie fails. There is not a compelling story to tell here. This comment really has no merit in the big picture. "Spider-Man 3" has as a shot at becoming the biggest grossing movie of all time. Perhaps, with all the returning talent in the inevitable "Spider-Man 4" Raimi and company can recapture the greatness of the classic hero tale that moves and inspires.