Not enough black to make the movie look thinner

Rating: 4/10 (11 November 2009)

In one word I would describe the movie as bloated. Sam Raimi, no doubt now one of the most empowered directors in Hollywood, has really been let to indulge himself with this one. But though the movie seems to really lag in places, the result is that there's no skimping on character development. We've already got to know most of the characters over the last two movies but it's good to see further development, especially for Mary-Jane who has evolved over the three movies, and Dunst is magnetic with the role. Toby McGuire IS Spiderman as usual and takes the new developments with the character in his stride.
We could have done with less Sandman, more Venom. Though we get to know Eddie Brock very well, Venom was very under-utilized.
The movie doesn't seem to have the same sense of wonder as the previous two, but that seems fitting with the theme as it is more introspective. The ending seemed to abrupt, but at least ties up all the story arches.