Worth Multiple Viewings, Let it sink in and enjoy!

Rating: 9/10 (14 May 2007)

I am a manager at a movie theater, and when I found out that we were getting spider-man 3 I was ecstatic. I had been waiting 3 long years for this sequel and it was finally here. I saw both Spiderman 1 and 2 opening day, first show of the day, but now I actually got to see it the night before its release.
Now what did I think of the movie? I thought it was excellent. Not as family friendly as the last two, which might send some children running, but still an action packed thrill ride that I had come to expect.
The script is a bit shaky though, I love Sam Raimi, but you got to give the guy credit, he was under a lot of pressure from fans and producers alike to fit a lot in. I know that Sam didn't want Venom in this movie, not that he dislikes the character, but he didn't feel the time was right. The movie was originally going to be all Sandman, and you can tell. Sandman is really well developed and you really feel for him and his personal problems. Thomas Hayden Church is perfect, and works well with the few lines he actually had.
Topher Grace as the snide Eddie Brock Junior is an odd choice, but he plays it well, although not looking the part. His Attitude is almost perfect Eddie Brock, but his appearance makes him seem more like a spoiled kid, and less of a vengeful muscle bound maniac.(IE the way he was in the comics). I am not saying that muscles would have made the difference, but a few days in the gym couldn't have hurt either.
As for Venom, he looks really good. Not perfect, as they took some liberties with his appearance, but he still comes off the way he should, a disgusting monster.
James Franco churns out an excellent performance (as both goblin and Harry). I dare say he was the best actor in the movie. He was SO good.
Tobey McGuire is great once again. I am please to report no really odd facial expressions this time around, which were prevalent in SPM2.
He also turns out a great performance as the symbiote wearing Peter. Most critics don't seem to get it, but I, a long time fan, understood what was going on immediately. Although the "EMO" look worked somewhat well, I think a stubble beard and spiked hair would have been more appropriate, and more accurate to the comics. I also feel the whole symbiote story was rushed a bit, but what are going to do? Kirsten Dunst puts out her worst performance as Mary Jane, but that by no means makes it bad. I just felt her part was really stagnated in this. I feel she could have been written a little better.
Bryce Dallas Howard is gorgeous as Gwen Stacy, a short lived but well acted part in the movie. Really just a cameo for long time fans, same with Captain Stacy.
Rosemary Harris is back as Aunt May, although her part is really limited this time around, making her seem more like a wise-woman than Peter's dear aunt.
JK Simmons. Oh how I love the, The perfect casting for J. J. since day one. If they start a new trilogy, he should be kept on.
Cameos by Both Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson) and Norman Osborn are used well. I am a big fan of Willem Dafoe, so I was happy to seem him once more.
Notable Cameos by Bruce Campbell, and The guys who played the Robber in the first movie, and Flash Thompson. Not to mention Stan Lee's most obvious role ever.
The special Effects are top notch, with only a flaw or two here and there. Definitely better than Spiderman 2, which I felt had very obvious CGI.
The fight scenes are well acted and very crisp. A bit of humor in the final battle scene kind of killed the mood, but if you look past it, it's fine.
Some Cheesiness here and there and a bit of a wash over script pull the movie down a bit. 10 more minutes and a modified ending would have made this movie and A.
This movie falls somewhere between 1 and 2 for overall quality. I still can't decide where I place it though.
If it was split into two movies, I think it would have been better, because there really is two movies worth of info in one, which can become confusing to the casual viewer.
This movie's biggest flaw seems to be that it leaves you wanting more, with lots of loose ends not tied up at the end.
Overall, I enjoyed it very much, and plan on seeing it again. I hope people will go see it and make their own judgment, and not listen to critics. Well, if you are going to listen to one, listen to Joel Siegel, he gave it the most accurate review.