Has its moments, but overall disappointing...

Rating: 7/10 (4 May 2007)

I expected this to be less entertaining than SPIDER-MAN 2, but I wasn't prepared to like it less than the original! This movie moves in fits and starts -- never reaching the delightful flow and magic of Part 2. I don't think the problem was too many subplots -- more that the wrong subplots were explored over the more compelling ones. For instance, why not spend more time on Sandman (maddeningly one-dimensional) and Venom (a wickedly-cool creation that seems to be only on screen for a couple minutes total)? Instead, we spend most of the time on Peter/MJ's relationship problems (who cares!). Another element that really bugged me was that we rarely saw the superheroes and villains the way they should be seen (in their glorious superhero garb). We seem to see more of Peter Parker in action sequences rather than Spidey. And when he is in Spidey-gear, he usually has his mask off (as if Tobey Maquire had a stipulation in his contract that demanded more face time). The Venom fights would deflate fast when the creature's "mask" continually pulled back to reveal Topher Grace's mug. In fact, there were hardly any lingering "money" shots of Venom. The New Goblin costume was way uninspired (why not go for one of the ol' actual goblin face masks?). And the look of Thomas H. Church as classic Sandman was terrific except that the filmmakers decided to instead show him more as a King Kong-like sand-beast (like one of those brainless giant trolls from the Lord of the Rings movies). I was also confused as to the physics of Sandman -- he is malleable and can shape his body into any form he wants, yet he seems to get "hurt" when shot by a bullets? And since when does the chief of police call in a family to personally tell them the real killer of their loved one is still on the loose? Also, there was something very unlikable about Aunt May in this film. All that being said, I would still not call this a "bad" movie. But pretty disappointing seeing as that all the elements for a kick arse superhero movie were there. And for all this talk about this being the "dark" Spider-man movie--it was actually more kindergarten-friendly than either of the 1st 2.