The End puts it all together

Rating: 8/10 (5 May 2007)

Like X-men 3, Spiderman 3 suffers from having too many characters. There are just too many good, complex heroes and villains from the Marvel Universe to cram into two and a half hours of film. Gwen Stacy was hardly given the time she was due and I doubt anyone will remember Dr. Curt Connors (Peter's science teacher, who also turns into a villain in the comics). Sandman hardly gets enough time either, but at least we end up feeling sympathetic to the guy in the end (although that's about all he gets). But those characters that Raimi is able to bring to life certainly pick up the slack. Kirsten Dunst portrays a very deeply hurt Mary Jane very well, James Franco's New Goblin/Harry Osborn is as torn as ever (but surprised me in the end), and Tobey Maguire still is lovable in a nerdy way as he portrays Peter/Spidey. The ending made up for all the lost opportunities Raimi had during the film. Walking out of the theater, I felt my five dollar matinée fee was well spent.