Spider-Man 3

There's a problem with Spiderman 3. A big one. Could it be the actors? Could it be the story? Could it be the special effects?

Well, to tell you the truth. It's damn near everything because that's precisely what Spiderman 3 tries to be: everything. From including three villains to a bunch of subplots that interrupt each other continually, Spiderman 3 in my opinion, has officially entered the pantheon of an overcooked sequel that tries to be too much and ironically, adds up to too little. This is a lot for a billion dollar franchise that had two fairly good films preceding it. You'd think that the filmmakers would take a cue from their blockbuster counterparts and hone in on developing the legacy of Peter Parker a little more faithfully. But then in today's blockbuster mentality, the sequel usually has to top itself and unfortunately, Spiderman 3 feels like it does that, but it also feels like it's got subplots from the previous film that the filmmakers realize they have to resolve. Plus, not many actors want to reprise their roles like Tobey Maguire said he wouldn't, despite being the recognizable face of an iconic character.

So what I'm going to say about Spiderman 3 and it's sole problem: too many storylines, not enough character development. So for instance, in Spiderman 2, Harry discovers that Peter was involved in his father's death and that storyline isn't resolved in that film, so they shift it over to this one. Then we also see in Spiderman 2, the look of dread on Mary Jane's face as she stares at her beloved Peter Parker sling away to save another day, insinuating the fact that Mary Jane is uncomfortable with Peter being a superhero, therefore another unresolved storyline shifted into part 3 and then the inclusion of two more storylines in part 3: career criminal Flint Marko on the run from the authorities (and a direct tie to Peter's uncle's death) and Flint's inevitable change into Sandman and sniveling schmuck Eddie Brock (a p*ss poor casting of Topher Grace) rivaling Parker for his job at the Daily Bugle. These are some of the subplots that go on in Spiderman 3, which in essence, really creates a bunch of subplots that don't add up to a central plot, but just enough sensory overload to have your attention span.

That is what brings Spiderman 3 down, way way down. It's not the actors (excepting Grace) who bring down the material but it's the writing. It sucks. There's so much going on in the film, that you don't know whose doing what, and when storylines are resolved, they're resolved for the sake of a quick fix to seal up the story. Adding to this negative development is the character development, which is so cardboard that it makes you realize the years of work put into the Spiderman comic books wasted and forgotten by the wayside. There are too many characters that we only get quick tidbits of the character's personality. Unfortunately when you take known Spiderman villains like Sandman and Venom, they should've be taken lightly and the filmmakers do that here, which has me wondering if they were caving in to studio pressure so they could make more toys or they thought it would just be cool to cram in a couple other villains.

Tobey Maguire was good in the Spiderman films and he's okay here. But unfortunately, involving the film's subplot is a weird black goo that arrives from outer space, virtually attaching itself to a host and created unwanted (and sometimes violent negativity). In this instance, it happens to Peter Parker/Spiderman, who suddenly becomes Emo Spiderman, showcasing a cocky, despicable attitude that only gets worse. One of the film's more obnoxious sequences involves a Saturday Night Fever ripoff that doesn't do both the film or Parker any favors in the likability department. I think Maguire should've gotten more creative input in developing the character, instead of reading the lines. Only making things worse is the whiny, incessant needs of Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) who wears out her welcome just minutes into the film by becoming the needy, high maintenance and bitterly frustrated struggling actress girlfriend that she transforms. I understand the struggle of her character and how it would only enhance the character more, but they overdid it here, which had me wishing Green Goblin would throw one of those home made bombs at her and removing that character from the picture.

Also toss in the three villains (SPOILERS AHEAD) with Harry Osborn becoming the new Green Goblin. Honestly speaking, I think Harry was probably the only character I liked, with the most development. Oh yeah, there's another subplot with Harry and Peter when Harry gets amnesia. I hand Franco credit for trying to hold up in the film, which he does, alongside other returning cast members Rosemary Harris (Aunt May), J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson) and an uncredited Willem Dafoe (Norman Osborn/Green Goblin) who all do what they can in such short amounts of screen time. Plus, James Cromwell and Bryce Dallas Howard appear and pretty much have nothing to do except appear. So as for the other two villains, we have Flint Marko/Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), a character who really is important in the Spiderman universe, but sadly, is treating nothing more than a cardboard character with nothing to contribute except to get the story going. Honestly, it looks like Church, who is criminally wasted in this film and not given the chance to provide the kind of energy and gusto he parlayed in roles from Sideways and Wings, shows up, says his lines and does nothing. Church is pretty much given nothing to do except just be "the bad guy". If you've got him playing Sandman, he should have more to do than just appear in a few action sequences.

But ultimately, the biggest offense is Eddie Brock/Venom (Topher Grace). I have nothing against Grace the actor and I think he's come into his own. But they didn't make the right call. You'd think of a role requiring such intensity and machismo, not to mention real depth as an actor, they would've gone with someone who could've really played the role. Grace, still trying to shake off his Eric Forman persona, doesn't go for broke with the role at all and seems restrained. That restraint only shows a discomfort with the role, never playing it like it should be. Seriously, when you look at Venom but you hear the voice of Topher Grace, you can't take it seriously, no matter how scary the special effects are. It's still Topher Grace. It feels like the studio just wanted to make toys and made the last minute decision to toss in Venom to attract more people. For a role like Venom, Grace is a boy while Brock is a man. They needed a seasoned actor with real depth to play the role and Grace is not that guy, at least not yet. He doesn't go for broke and that's why his casting is such a disappointment.

All in all, for all the special effects they can throw at you, Spiderman 3 is a hollow experience, lacking the spirit and depth that the first two had, making it a boring affair just barely worth the money for renting. For fans of the comic book, this is an even bigger disappointment because a movie like this, becomes Batman and Robin. Not Batman and Robin bad, but just bad because they overdo it, meaning Hollywood executives see dollar signs. That's all fine and good, but at least give us a good story at the same time.