If this is the best they can do they should stop now

Rating: 6/10 (4 May 2007)

In my estimation SM1 was a 9 and SM2 was a 10. Given that I have to give this a 6.5. They needed to pare down this story multiple villains, multiple plot devices that were just too convenient, several very obvious ploys, some action sequences seemed forced in trying to top SM2's subway sequence instead of just trying to be something new and fun and some poorly done melodrama. Did I hate it? No. Is it by far the weak sister of the 3? YES! The relationship problems with Peter and Mary Jane were, at times, barely believable. Too many things were overly convenient, not the least of which was the butler finally telling Harry the truth about his father's death after all this time when it was convenient for the plot. Harry accepting this information and deciding to help Peter in spite of his disfigurement at Peter's hands. How did Venom/Brock know about Sandman's daughter? Harry gets MJ to break it off with Peter by exercising control over her and then she just walks away and it is never mentioned again!? This story could have moved along nicely with only 1 or 2 villains not three. And then one redeems himself, one turns out to be a victim of circumstance and poor decisions, and only Brock (now completely insane) 'dies' a villain. The desk buzzer in J. Jonah's office though funny was nonsense. Gotta love how no matter how many times Spidey's mask is torn off in battle it will be lying next to him when he goes to get up. Some of MJ's problems with Peter and the relationship were a bit too irrational even for an immature girl (which she is supposed to be a talented thus disciplined actress). The Eddie Brock character was rapidly developed (too much so) as was necessary with the over ambitious story. Also, even though the film wasn't terribly long several in the group I saw it with observed that there were some slow points.
Don't get me wrong a decent movie just not up to the standards of the series. Let's hope if they make more they will focus on a villain, let the action flow not try to force it so much, and write the relationships better.
High points are the look of the villains, Tobey, Rosemary Harris, adding Gwen Stacy and casting Bryce in the part, J.K. Simmons, Bruce Campbell's cameo, the strongest performance by James Franco, Ted Raimi, the overall look of the film, the redemption of Harry though the mechanics of it were lacking, and making any tinkering that was done to the existing Spider-man mythos for a reason. The casting in general was very good (with the new characters well represented with Topher being the weak link). Sandman sequences were especially well done and looked great! When you set the bar as high as you did with 2 I expected a drop off, but had hoped that they'd be able to achieve the level of 1 and perhaps in trying too hard to top 2 they fell short of 1. Fingers crossed for a possible 4.