Silly but Fun: Spider-Man 3

Spider-Man 3 (United States Premiere)
Directed by Sam Raimi
To be released May 4, 2007

You may have heard of this movie called "Spider-Man 3," in theatres literally everywhere this Friday. Attending this advance screening, part of the simultaneous five-borough New York/U.S. premiere, was certainly fun with all the crazy diehard fans who more than vocally shared their enthusiasm with the rest of the auditorium.

Like the first two films, and especially the second, "Spider-Man 3" is low on plot but heavy on campy action. Very little actually happens in the movie, but it is amusing enough without being overly obnoxious. The events and characteristics of Peter Parker/Spider-Man are presented in a much more humorous fashion than was likely intended by the comic series (I have read several issues, but not enough to consider myself anywhere near an expert).

Tobey Maguire is the same as he was in the first two films, a bit too gleeful but highly sympathetic as our hero Spider-Man. Kirsten Dunst does little acting and more fearful raising of her eyebrows, but there is hardly more to be expected. The usually great James Franco alternately grins and sneers throughout most of the film as the sloppily-written Harry Osborn. Thomas Haden Church hardly moves his face as the staunch but somewhat cool Sandman. Topher Grace is amusing as annoying reporter Eddie Brock. Bryce Dallas Howard does an able job as potential love-triangle-creator Gwen Stacy. The best role of the film is held by J.K. Simmons, as Daily Bugle editor J.J. Jameson.

For those who loved the second film, it is more than likely that they will enjoy this film. Without giving too much away, there are some scenes Spider-Man fans will get insanely excited about. There is an equal amount of frustrating elements and Spider-Man stories that have been mutilated or underdeveloped. Watch for Venom, however, because he is pretty awesome.

C