Good sequel, with problems

Rating: 7/10 (8 June 2008)

S-M 3 is a decent sequel, with Spidey (Tobey Maguire) facing no fewer than three super villains: Sandman (Thomas Church), Goblin Junior (James Franco) and Alien Spider-Man (Topher Grace). Spidey's love life, involving a plan to propose to Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst), is complicated by the arrival of a new gal pal, Gwen Stacy (Bryce Howard). Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) is still around, and in the film's most touching moment gives Peter her old engagement ring to give to MJ. Life at the paper goes on as well. As has been the case with the two previous films, the best moments are the quiet, non-costumed ones. The moment the costumes go on, the movie takes a jarring turn into computer-designed cartoons. And while these cartoon sequences are an improvement over those in the first movie, they're still just cartoons. I guess the kids don't care. Now for the real problems: Macguire is a one-note actor, so some of his most dramatic moments, like being spurned by MJ and when one of the main characters dies, are singularly unconvincing. Also, Dunst acts like she wishes she were anywhere but in yet another Spider-Man movie. And three villains, plus a running time of well over two hours, is just too, too much. Nevertheless, the film was put together by a master hand (Sam Raimi) who has guided the series from the beginning. So, unlike many of the sequels to films about Superman, X-Men, Batman and Robocop, which were often directed by others and frequently mishandled by their studios (you should read about the butchering of ROBOCOP 3), this second Spider-Man sequel lets us continue to have an interest in Peter Parker and his constant travails. I have no doubt a fourth film will happen, and frankly I wouldn't mind seeing Topher Grace replace Maguire. Grace out-acts Maguire at every turn here.