Spider-Man Goes Emo

Rating: 8/10 (8 June 2007)

I mean it-- bangs and all. The Spidey franchise takes a cue from 1983's heavily underrated "Superman III" by making the hero go bad. This time, it's thanks to black alien goo and the results involve neither the Leaning Tower of Pisa nor the Olympic Torch. Spidey dons a black suit and styles his hair in the emo fashion before strutting down the street like a '70s-flick gigolo, winking and snapping at girls as he goes along. Harry (also the Hobgoblin here) dances, MJ (Kirsten Dunst, still without acting lessons) sings, and Topher Grace (as Peter's rival photographer Eddie Brock) prays to God for the death of Parker. However, the film actually rises above its two predecessors by keeping the drama (however overdone) above cheap 3-D thrills. Several of the gags are quite memorable, and it's always fun to see Spidey in action. Good or evil, Tobey Maguire still wears the suit well after five years.