Very good, but not the best

Rating: 9/10 (5 May 2007)

There have been numerous negative reviews for Spider-Man 3 in the past few days, but I must say I disagree with most of them. People have argued that the plot was over-crowded, but I don't think that's the case. One of the villains, New Goblin (aka Harry), didn't need too much introduction, as his thread line has been woven throughout the series. Sandman (aka Flint Marko) was woven into the story's theme of revenge and forgiveness very well, because Peter's vengeful nature that is brought out with the symbiote causes a lot of his hatred toward Sandman. Marko's back story and character reminded me a lot of Doc Ock. As for Venom (aka Eddie Brock), his back story was good enough, and it also relates a lot with revenge, as Peter, again acting with the symbiote, causes Brock to lose his job, and Brock wants him dead.
Now for the story itself. (SPOILERS AHEAD.) I'll go over the key parts of the story... 1) Peter vs. Harry #1: Harry attacks Peter by surprise, and after a great battle, Harry crashes into something hard and loses his memory. He forgets that Peter is Spider-Man, and they become friends again. 2) MJ loses her job: MJ's play gets a bad review, and she is fired. She goes to Harry for comfort, because Peter is busy and doesn't have time for MJ at the moment. 3) Peter saves Gwen: After a freak crane accident many stories up, Peter saves Gwen Stacy, a friend of his, and while receiving a key to the city for it from Captain Stacy, he kisses Gwen upside-down, causing MJ to be very jealous. 4) Peter vs. Sandman #1: Peter and Sandman (Flint Marko, Uncle Ben's actual killer) fight for the first time. Peter is unable to stop Marko from robbing an armored car. 5) Symbiote attachs to Peter: A strange substance called symbiote from outer space gets onto Peter and causes his suit to change color to charcoal black. It also causes Peter to become very aggressive and cocky. 6) Peter vs. Sandman #2: Peter avenges his uncle's death by killing Sandman...or so it seems. We later find that Marko survives. 7) Peter meets Eddie Brock: Eddie Brock, a freelance photographer, takes pictures of Spidey in his black suit, which J. Jonah Jameson likes better that Peter's pictures. Peter later proves that Brock's pictures are fake, and Brock is fired. 8) Harry and Mr. Osborn: Harry gets his memory back, and decides to get revenge on Peter once more. 9) MJ rejects Peter: Harry forces MJ to reject Peter for good, and Harry then tells Peter that he is dating MJ now. 10) Peter vs. Harry #2: They fight at Harry's apartment in the secret room, and after the new black Spider-Man defeats Harry, Harry attempts to get Peter with a pumpkin bomb, but it ends up hitting Harry and disfiguring half of his face. 11) An angry Peter goes to MJ's jazz club with Gwen Stacy and does a seductive dance with her, still acting aggressively with the symbiote. MJ is angry, and Peter slaps her, and he later feels very guilty. 12) Bell Tower: While Eddie Brock is asking God to kill Peter Parker, Peter is two stories above him, ripping off the symbiote. It lands on Brock, causing him to turn into Venom, and he now knows that Peter is Spider-Man. 13) Sandman meets Venom: Sandman and Venom meet, and decide to set a trap for Spider-Man by kidnapping MJ and trapping her in Venom's black web about 80 stories up. 14) Peter confronts Harry: Peter asks Harry for his help against Venom and Sandman, but Harry is still angry at their last confrontation and rejects him. 15) Harry and Bernie: Harry's butler tells Harry that his father killed himself, not Spider-Man, and Harry realizes that Peter was right. 16) Spider-Man vs. Venom and Sandman: After an unsuccessful rescue, a horrified New York City watched as Spider-Man is held down by Venom and nearly killed by Sandman. 17) Spider-Man and New Goblin vs. Sandman and Venom: Harry saves Peter and they both fight to defeat the other two and also save MJ. 18) Peter vs. Brock: Venom is about to impale Spider-Man, but Harry rushes in and takes the blade for Peter, saving his life but then killing himself. Peter detaches Brock from the symbiote, and when he destroys it with a pumpkin bomb, Brock tries to stop it and also dies. 19) Peter forgives Marko: After hearing Marko's story, Peter forgives him for killing Uncle Ben, and Marko leaves to continue searching for a cure for his daughter. 20) MJ forgives Peter: Peter comes to MJ afterward, who forgives him for his behavior earlier.
All in all, a great movie, but I think Spider-Man 2 was a little better. My only real complaint was that Venom came too late in the movie. Otherwise, I'd see it again any time!