Disappointing

Rating: 6/10 (5 May 2007)

The third installment in the spectacular Spider Man franchise has Peter Parker coming to grips with his own ego and his dark side. All the while New York faces two new villains - the Sandman and Venom. And Harry Osbourne has yet to settle his score with Spider Man.
The first two films were terrific hero stories with a feel good comic book twist. In addition to their spectacular action sequences. The trailer for this film looks like a continuation of just that, but sadly the film proves to be something different.
There are many story lines and none of them receives the attention they merit. Prime example being the Sandman character who was a simple crook stealing money for his family before being mutated. There is a scene where he visits his family, but that is all we see of them and from then on he is merely an on-screen menace. The other villain, Venom, appears so late in the movie that he is barely developed as a villain and ends up being another merely another menace for Spider Man. If that isn't enough, then the remaining storyline - between Harry, Peter, and Mary Jane - receives such ridiculous melodramatic treatment that is is practically and insult to the last two films. It is not wholly bad and plays as a cheesy comic book story, but given the fact it follows the previous two films' much stronger and effective stories it is just above sheer disappointment.
On the bright side, the action sequences and effects are some of the best around with Spider Man performing some spectacular heroic rescues. The Sandman is also an impressive creation and has a stunning creation scene. And Bruce Campbell gives what may be one of the best cameo appearances ever. However, a few good action/special effects scenes have never earned a movie big points. --- 6/10
Rated PG-13 for violence