Much Better Than Expected

Rating: 9/10 (25 May 2008)

Usually in movie franchises ( particularly superhero ones ) the third film is the one where it starts to run out of steam. This was certainly true of 'Superman 3' and 'Batman Forever' - though a very enjoyable movie - was not as good as the two preceding it.
So it was with some trepidation that I sat down to watch 'Spider-Man 3'. The first two were excellent, so how would this compare? Very well indeed, I thought. Picking up on a plot strand from the last one, Harry Osborn is told by the ghost of his dead father that Peter Parker killed him, and that he is Spider-Man. Harry decides to carry on the family legacy by becoming the new Green Goblin.
Elsewhere, a criminal named Flint Marko breaks out of prison and takes refuge in a secret testing area where he is exposed to radiation. As a result, he now has the ability to turn his body to sand. I remember 'The Sandman' from the comics so it was good to see the character being visualised so accurately, even down to the green striped shirt.
Spidey's problems are not over yet. A strange creature from outer space attaches itself to Parker while he sleeps and creates a black version of his costume which, when worn, brings out the dark side of his character, enabling Tobey Maguire to have some fun with the role.
Parker sees the love of his life, Mary Jane Watson, in a new musical play on Broadway, and makes plans to ask her to marry him. But that day will have to wait...
These diverse plot strands converge at the end in a breathtaking finale. Its pointless describing the action scenes but needless to say they are exciting indeed. The giant-sized Sandman is a truly terrifying creation. As Spidey wryly observes: "where do these guys come from?".
Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Durst turn in their usual fine performances. The presence of 'Gwen Stacy' did startle me somewhat though. I found myself muttering: "don't go near any bridges!" whenever she was on screen. Stan Lee makes his usual brief cameo - nuff said! What makes these films special though is not so much the C.G.I. but the love and care with which Sam Raimi has brought to the material. You get the impression they are not made simply for the money. At times you can almost see the comic-book pages being turned. As someone who read the Lee/Ditko originals as a boy, I was pleased with this movie.
I do not know whether any more 'Spider-Man' films will be made, but if this turns out to be the last, the series has ended on a very high note indeed.