Complicated Web

Rating: 8/10 (7 May 2007)

I lowered my expectations for Spider-Man 3 after seeing the critics slamming it ruthlessly. Don't worry friends, this movie is in essence equal, and worth of the other two. The difference is, to my impression, you're getting two Spidey movies crammed into one. By now fans are too familiar with the vertigo-inducing action sequences, and the video game- ish FX. They decided to try something new: Even more vertigo-inducing sequences, video game-ish FX and not one, but three supervillains to fight (3 1/2 if you count the Symbiote). These changes work with mixed results. As I said earlier, the movie had enough material to do Spider-Man 3 and 4. There are plenty of story lines and subplots coming even from issues not solved in the first movie. By the end of the movie, not only old issues will be solved, but new ones too. We'll know by the end if Spidey best friend, turned nemesis will be able to forgive him, if Spidey is able to forgive his uncle's killer, if he can put his girlfriend before himself, if he can resist being seduced by his own power... in short, all the cards will be played here. It's a little sad because to me the magic of the other two is they left me wanting more. With all this, the Symbiote storyline, which deserved a whole movie for itself, was underdeveloped. Little we know about the Symbiote and it's second host: Eddie Brock/ Venom, the most underdeveloped character of the movie. Still, almost every other character has a moment to shine. This includes surprisingly tender scenes involving the villains. One of the villains' story was quite moving. In the supporting roles, J.K. Simmons and director's Sam Raimi's most reliable actor: Bruce Campbell, provide some comedy to the cause. So let's review: It has action, it has comedy, it has drama, it has romance. What's not to like? Sometimes it bites a little more than it can chew, but critics, you got it wrong again.