That scene is pure brilliance. Its probably the one perfect scene in the film.

Ok I finally saw Spidey 3 today. Im a fan of the first two films, Spidey 2 (A-) over Spidey 1 (A) but I kept my expectations in check for this one - just incase.

Im not going to grade this film just yet. I need to mull it over. But in simple terms - I enjoyed it immensely. Its a lot of fun. Actually more fun than the previous two. But the problem is - the film is quite flawed. If your willing to accept the flaws and enjoy the film as entertainment and not judge it by its predecessor - you'll love it.

But if you put on your critic glasses like i know most will - then you will have problems with it.

Similarily, those who werent keen in the previous two - you will probably love this one. But for those who worship at the shrine of Spiderman 2 - you'll find this one one a bitter pill to swollow.

Here's the lowdown in point form (pro and con). SPOILER FREE for now - so read on.

* Yes the first half of the film works better than the second. The first half is almost perfect actually. The second part is action packed but is a bit all over the place. Its not bad by any means - its just that Raimi had to tie up all the loose ends here. Plus its a little predictable in one area, but not so in another (without going into spoilers).

* Yes there is a lot going on in this film. Yes its a little too much - but to tell the story Raimi wanted to tell, this is how it had to be. It hurts the film (lack of villian character development and too much going on which means the film switches from one scene to another too readily) a little but by no mean drags it down anywhere near the Batman films so have no fear on that front.

* Gwen Stacey is in the film more than I expected and used effectively I might add. Dont listen to then naysayers.

* Yes Mary Jane sings - Twice (almost a third). First time is integral to the film. Second is take it or leave it.

* For those who care about that sort of thing - Venom is really the same size as Spidey. And maybe I missed it - but you dont see much of his tongue either. Generally Venom looks good - but I didnt like the fact we saw more of Brock's face than Venom's.

* The Sandman creation scene is probably one of the best scenes in the film. Definitely a highlight for me.

* The Harry story was surprisingly well done. Predictable but fulfilling. Franco delivers.

* The battles are all good. But no scene stands out like the Spidey/Doc Oc fight on the buildings or the train sequence in number two.

* CGI is better than the first two

* There are some truly funny scenes and the audience ate it up.

* Bruce Campbell = Gold!!! Best cameo yet.

* Topher Grace as Brock was good casting all along. No problems here.

* The Brock Vs Parker rivalry is another highlight.

* Anything with JJ Jameson and the Daily Bugle works perfectly and is damn funny.

* The symbiote storyline is introduced nicely.

* The emotional stuff didnt work for me. Thats where the film falls down. It appears hokey, especially when the characters cry. It just doesnt work.

There's a lot more to discuss - but from the above I guess I could give it a grade: A- for just being an enjoyable blockbuster. Perhaps Im biased - but I enjoyed it despite the flaws.

They did leave it open for a sequel. Symbiote left in the hands of The Lizard!? I think so.


MINOR SPOILERS BELOW

I know alot of people will have a problem with Harry's butler suddenly spilling the beans to Harry. It just came out of nowhere and irked me a little too. Plus the audience was laughing at his "I love you" speach.

The Sandman plotline wasnt really tied up as such. The confrontation with Sandman at the end was laboured and the audience was laughing.

Oh and there is the bar scene - the one that reminded me of The Mask which made me cringe. (Ive just read one of the AICN reviews and he mentions The Mask aswell)

Just to mention this...this is a spoilers allowed forum, so no need to post them in white, no need to not mention them. :-)

I think you will like it. Though I know you are looking forward to Venom. Keep your expectations in check.

hehe thanks Nebs.

Cheers. What an odd thing for CHUD to claim...

No. *BIG SPOILER* but Harry

Another spoiler question... is Venom one and done for this film, or will he come back for a 4th?

HIGHLIGHT FOR SPOILERS: Yes, The black substance is still in Dr. Curt Conners lab, at least some of it indicating a setup for a 4th movie..

Raimi hated using Venom in this movie. Why the hell would he bring him back for another one?

(and CHUD was joking)

From everything I've read. I'm not just talking about Avi Arad forcing it on him, either. By the end of principle photography and well into editing, he didn't really understand the character and didn't know if he'd done it justice.

Could it also possiblyintroduce Carnage?

I WANT CARNAGE VS. VENOM!!!

DO IT NOW!!!

KILL SPIDEY!!!

If you've seen it, why havent you reviewed it yet.

Thats true about Raimi not wanting to include Venom in the films ever. He had said that before filming the third film. I'd say that it was a very late decision to include Venom. He isnt in the film nearly enough though. Nor is the Black suited Spidey (I wanted to see more of him) but there is plenty of the black suited Peter Parker (suit under his clothes).

Brock himself is fairly likeable. He's not that bad a guy and Parker does screw him over. But he becomes totally badass as Venom - but we just dont see him fleshed out enough. A good 15 mins more of Venom would have fleshed him out nicely. Venom is the pay off for sitting through the rest of the film. It all leads to him really.

Though the dialogue may be hokey at times, the story is quiete solid. It ties in nicely together - Uncle Ben----Sandman----Peter's anger-----Brock-----Gwen----MJ----Harry----symbiote---Venom. That all works. Its just that too much is attempted and even 2 hours and 20 mins isnt enough to do it justice (so the second half suffers with having to wrap up the great setup fom the first half.

However, you definitely could not have had Sandman and Harry alone in a film. Sandman has some nice effects but overall a fairly limp villian IMO. He does work much better with other supporting villians.


Now to the possible Venom in No.4... As BKB said there is definitely some symbiote matter left with Dr Conners. Im sure they'll continue the story line perhaps with Lizard and Carnage.

I'm hoping for an X3 effect here... That movie dropped in the filmmaking and quality aspect, but it was by far the most entertaining superhero movie I've ever seen and it would be my second favorite overall(behind X2). It was goofy fun, but awesome goofy fun. Like 300 on crack.

100% agree with everything here, especially the spoilers.

SPOILERS - The more I think about Sandman asking for PP forgiveness after trying to kill him like 5 minutes earlier, and Osborn's servant suddenly telling him the truth the more I hate the film. My grade now would probably B-/C+.

Yes those two things got me the most. And the Sandman
scene at the end was so anti climactic after the great final battle. I like the forgiveness angle of the film but the timing is off as you mentioned and infact alot of people were laughing in the theatre - not a good scine. They are probably the two things that really hurt the second half.

I was interviewed tonight after the screening. 'Twas interesting.

The movie is incredibly frustrating. Great at some points, bad at others. It's a weird mesh of Spideys 1 and 2. I'll give it a B.

I'll post a longer review when I have time later but the cliff notes are that is indeed an entertaining movie. It is not as good as Spider-man 2 but still a good movie in its own rights.

It had some trouble with balancing a lot of stories together but I think that Raimi was able to pull a better job than most will give him credit for. Special effects were fabulous and I thought Raimi was able to capture the heart of the comic book character.

8.2/10

Well, I stuck around for the first half hour of SM3, ya know... just to like check it out. And I can safely say -- it sure was busy. Lots of stuff goin' on, lots 'o value for yer cinema goin' dollar. If my ADD had been flarin' up, I mighta felt like stayin' for a couple more half hours (or maybe even all five) to watch some more people or buildings blow-up/crash. But alas, I'd just seen a movie with a coherent screenplay, so I couldn't take anymore of this balderdash...

No rating wasted on this slop.

DAMN YOU SPIDEY!!!

HOW COULD YOU LET US DOWN LIKE THIS!!!???

It's bradley, what did you expect?

I can't wait for BKB's review...

Melodramatic mess of a film. God I hope Raimi doesn't get his hands on The Hobbit.

Just got back from the midnight show. Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad movie.

Word of Mouth amongst everyone here is TOXIC. These are not yoshue-esque snobs, but Zingaling style let's-blow-shit-up people. Everyone I was with hated it. Crazy oh-man-Spiderman-is-awesome-we-have-to-go-right-at-midnight-I-am-so-excited folks. It was almost literally laughed off the screen. Murmurs of disapproval was the the name of the game once it ended.

Everyone really shit the bed on this one.