Most Spider-Fans should enjoy this...

Rating: 7/10 (2 May 2007)

I've never been a fan of the Spider-Man films. I definitely didn't like the first, and thought that the second was only mildly better. There were two reasons I went to see this new film: 1) Because I'm a Bryce Dallas Howard fan, and 2) Venom. While this movie *does* have its flaws, I still thought it was the best of the three. Things that made me dislike the first two films weren't present this time around. No more lame villains, thank god! Topher Grace did an excellent job of playing Eddie Brock/Venom. He was one of the main highlights of this film (and, unlike the Green Goblin of the first film, he didn't look like he was wearing a reject Halloween costume).
Tobey Maguire really gave this film his all. Yes, he cries multiple times throughout, but for good reasons (heck, EVERYONE seems to cry in this movie - Peter, MJ, Harry, Aunt May, the Sandman). While a lot of what we see of "Dark Peter/Spidey" is quite comedic, he does in fact have some genuinely dark moments (like when he battles Harry for the second time in the movie). When he walks away from someone who once was his friend, and who could very well have been dead, it really shows to what depths Peter has sunk under the influence of the symbiote that binds itself with him earlier on.
Pretty much everyone gets a chance to shine. Old characters aren't forgotten and the new ones, while being given limited screen time, still manage to make an impression. The only person I had very little sympathy for throughout this film was MJ. I've never found Kirsten Dunst to be "outstanding" in the role, and she pretty much comes off as selfish/self-involved and just plain petty in this film. It's not good when one half of the relationship (that the films have been based around) is an unsympathetic character. Much more likable is the character of Gwen Stacy (Howard). Though she kind of just ends up being another damsel in distress and is used to make MJ jealous, at least she doesn't come off as a bitch. She's actually very likable. The dance routine at the jazz club between her and Peter is a memorable one.
James Franco does an admirable job in the movie. It's certainly his best performance of the three (and I actually felt for his character by the end). Thomas Hayden Church brings humanity to his character - which is pretty hard to do, given all the CGI that's involved with bringing the Sandman to life. The standout villain, however, has got to be Topher Grace as Eddie Brock/Venom. He's only given a limited amount of screen time, but he's easily the best Spider-Man villain to date (and this was even *before* he succumbed to the symbiote). Grace manages to make Brock hilarious, but at the same time a formidable adversary for Peter (I even felt a twinge of sympathy for Eddie up to a certain point).
The effects, as you would expect in a film such as this, are mind-boggling. The first fight between Peter and Harry - while certainly exciting - was a bit hard to follow. I didn't particularly think much of the fights involving Sandman. The two best action sequences, I thought, were the one involving Spidey saving Gwen (from a crane that's run amok) and the final battle. The scene involving the Sandman taking form for the first time is also really well-done (the music helps). There are certainly some stand-out moments in this film.
Like most final films in trilogies tend to do, this one leaves the book open for if another film were ever to be made, but also puts a lot of story lines to rest. The ending is left pretty much open-ended. While this film may not make me any more a fan of the first two, I definitely enjoyed this one.