Dark Spidey's the only reason to see this film

Rating: 7/10 (7 May 2007)

Having seen the first two installment, I saw Spidey 3 more out of obligation rather than anticipation. The bulk of the movie functions as a cure for insomnia and washroom breaks. The overwrought romantic story line is suffocatingly sentimental. The picture feels formulaic, as if all the innovation has been sucked dry by the series first two installments.
It is unashamedly American with lots of senseless "cartoon" violence where characters get repeatedly bludgeoned, lacerated and pummeled yet magically never suffer any consequences all the way through and beyond the flag waving crescendo. All for the wonder of seeing the webbed crime-fighter do his thing in full CGI glory. It would be far more rewarding to see a Spiderman updated for our times and not one that is still stuck in 1950's moral values.
Welcome new dark Spidey, the most entertaining by far. Now this guy gets things done. He just has to reign it in a little bit and use his powers with more discretion.
Other than that the story lacks freshness. The entire Sandman character feels contrived, though Haden Church gives a great performance. As for Spiderman's other foe, equally so. It feels thin. The main dramatic plot point being a staff-job competition for the Bugle. Wow, talk about dated. Spidey's enemies have no creativity in this film and lack any real plan for world-domination-type thinking. They are small time. Leaving only one thing that's any fun, dark Spidey. Still not quite worth the price of admission though. However, thumbs up to Tobey for pulling it off so well.