Not as fantastic as the previous two Spidey flicks

Rating: 7/10 (1 May 2007)

Attended the sunrise screening of Spidey 3 in Alabang and the place was buzzing with excitement. It was most fortunate to premiere the film open on a holiday (May 1) because it was pretty packed.
The verdict: not as fantastic as the previous two Spidey flicks, but it's recommended viewing anyway just so you can form your own opinion on it.
True Spiderman comic fans might be disappointed to see that a lot of what's in the main comicbook story lines and characterizations were not dutifully translated on screen. The movie also runs on too long, but nevertheless, the special effects are amazing.
We also get to see a more human side of Spiderman (Tobey Maguire) developing a split personality: Plain vs. Mod Peter Parker/Spidey. In this installment, Spidey's fame inexplicably gets to his head, much to his girlfriend MJ (Kirsten Dunst)'s dismay. He comes across an alien symbiote that attaches itself to him and feeds his darker, more aggressive side.
We get a few laughs when Peter embraces this more vengeful side of him, and his style suddenly gets more mod: dark eyeliner, dark skinny suits, sleek parted hair. He looks like he belongs in an alternative/punk/rock band, complete with the attitude.
Meanwhile, the villains were pretty impressive: Goblin Jr. (James Franco) battles it out with Spidey to avenge his father's death. Thomas Haden Church (Sideways) plays the powerful, indestructible and ever elusive Sandman, while Topher Grace (That 70s Show, In Good Company) plays Parker's nemesis Eddie Brock/Venom. However, there are quite a number of plot holes (like, how come Peter can control the symbiote as a suit but on Eddie it attaches itself fully and gives him really bad teeth?).
The movie entertained the kids in some parts, but the natives grew increasingly restless as the movie culminates to a flat close. It was as if director Sam Raimi just wanted to throw everything in there. Nonetheless, this movie is pretty sure to rake in the big bucks just with all the hype alone.