Spider-Man 3

Pardon the cliché, but it seems to me that director Sam Raimi has stuffed everything but the kitchen sink into “Spider-Man 3.” There’s really no other way to say it. He’s managed to cram in three villains, a funeral, and one too many suffocatingly romantic storylines into a 2+ hour film that just isn’t strong enough to support that kind of weight. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy the passionate nuances of Peter Parker’s love life, but only when they’re naturally occurring rather than contrived. What I liked best about the first two films, was their ability to creatively blend action and romance without having anything seem forced or insincere.

Here, Raimi abandons that formula in an impulsive attempt to tie up loose ends and give fanboys a conclusion worthy of their approval. Despite a few miscues and sappy moments, his result’s actually not too shabby. When we last saw Parker (Tobey Maguire) in ‘04, his relationship with Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) was just starting to take off and everything was fine and dandy in superhero land.

Three years later, things aren’t so smooth as Peter is forced to choose between the woman he loves and the world he so desperately wants to save. His spider sense can detect a certain distance between them and her need for emotional reassurance isn’t always something he can be there to satisfy. Just when he thought things couldn’t get more difficult, he discovers that the man who killed his uncle has escaped from prison and developed the ability to transform his body into sand.

Flint Marko, played by Thomas Haden Church of Sideways fame, lacks the charisma of past baddies and doesn’t really have anything remarkable to bring to the series. His backstory is bland and nothing in his personality makes him stand out as a memorable antagonist.

Venom and The Green Goblin also make an appearance, but neither makes enough noise to be considered a major threat. Despite three bad guys, the real enemy here is a mysterious black goo that falls from the sky and brings out the worst in Peter’s behavior. He goes from nerdy and unassuming to gaudy and gregarious overnight, which makes for some much needed comic relief when the film appears to be losing its swagger.

Sporting his newfound Emo haircut, he engages in a Travolta-esque strut through the streets of Manhattan that made me wonder if he was going to put the world on hold for a while and stop off at 2001 to bust a move. Yes, this is a different Peter Parker. A much nastier and more sarcastic one to say the least. His encounter with MJ at a jazz club is priceless, as he makes a complete fool of himself in front of everyone including his new love interest, Gwen Stacy (a striking Bryce Dallas Howard).

After almost losing everything, he finally wakes up and realizes that the suit will no longer control his every move. He’s determined to get MJ back and will do whatever it takes to make that happen. For his final showdown with Marko and Venom, he’s aided by an unexpected source whom he thought would never come to forgive him.

Together, they deliver an invigorating special effects extravaganza that elevates the film to another plateau of excitement. Is this a great film? No, but it’s a pretty good one that probably won’t get the critical recognition it deserves. Even with the congested plot and romantic mishmash, Raimi still gives the fans a genuine reason to flock to the theatre and witness a classic tale of internal struggle. After all, who doesn’t love a good superhero?

- *** out of 4

Side note: When did Bryce Dallas Howard become such a beauty?