Columbia Pictures and Marvel Enterprises present a 140 minute PG-13 film directed by Sam Raimi and starring Tobey Maguire (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), James Franco (New Goblin/Harry Osborn), Kirsten Dunst (Mary Jane Watson), Thomas Haden Church (Sandman/Flint Marko), Topher Grace (Venom/Eddie Brock), Bryce Dallas Howard (Gwen Stacy), Rosemary Harris (May Parker), J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson) with James Cromwell (Captain Stacy), Theresa Russell (Emma Marko), Dylan Baker (Dr. Curt Connors), Bill Nunn (Joseph 'Robbie' Robertson), Elizabeth Banks (Miss Brant) and Cliff Robertson (Uncle Ben Parker).
It's difficult to beat the original version of a film but this one comes close tying up many lose webs left from one and two. Flashback photos of the past versions introduce you to this new version bringing back the excitement you felt the first time you sat in the theatre watching the previous movies of the web slinging super-hero. Peter, a free lance photographer for the Bugle is still in school in this version portraying the somewhat class nerd. Mary Jane is an actress on Broadway performing in "Manhattan Memories" at least in the beginning of the film. Harry, is still holding on to the rivalry surrounding his father's death living in the shadows of his anger towards Spider Man.
A meteorite falls from the sky one evening and eventually bonds with Peter hence creating his alter ego, red is good and black is bad, overall creating the ugly! Flint on the run from the law has one motive in mind which is to see his ailing daughter, Penny and try to help her regain her health. While on the run he stumbles into a freak scientific experiment which eventually turns him into the Sandman. Some amazing imagery takes place during the creation of this new villain, with a motive to rob money for his child's health while fighting off local police, Spider Man and the elements that could possibly destroy his new found power.
Peter's goal in life is to not only protect the people of New York but to propose to M.J. with Aunt May's engagement ring. A fight breaks out between Peter and Harry and the ring is almost lost like the memory of Harry in this bitter and thrilling fight several stories above the New York skyline. But all is not forgotten for long and the battles wage on amongst the best of friends and the worst of enemies.
There are many breath-taking CGI moments throughout the film like the one involving a skyscraper crane gone awry eventually causing Spider Man to not only save the day but the life of Captain Stacy's daughter and Peter's beautiful school lab partner, Gwen. Photos are taken of the web slinger for Mr. Jameson not only by Peter but also by a new face to the Bugle, Eddie Brock, an up and comer willing to do anything to get a staff position at the newspaper. Office battles are fought, friendships are forged and diminished, love is found and lost and new villains are created from within the hidden desires of people that surround Peter. A wise woman once said, "revenge in our hearts can take over and turn us into something ugly". Love triangles develop, best friends fight but through it all whether on the side of good or evil Peter Parker stays alive with the fever that envelops him throughout some scenes of stormy weather. Laced with dramatic moves and comedic one liners the writing periodically touches on several memories to movies like "Saturday Night Fever" and the "Mask" let alone of course the comic book, creating moments of levity.
Death of the black spider eventually leads to the birth of venom outraged with a death wish filled for revenge. Once again Mary Jane falls victim to an unusual partnership. But the sun does shine for a brighter day when truth be told and friendships forge to fight for love. We all have choices and we all make mistakes sometimes for love. Sometimes you do not choose your destination but rather it chooses you but through it all forgiveness from ones heart can truly save the day. It is choices that make us who we are and hopefully in the end we all choose to do what is right.
Of course the trilogy will live on with or without several characters but either way I'm sure we will all be looking forward to Spider-Man 4. The cinematography and special effects once again were phenomenal and the story line in my opinion was even better, bringing out every possible emotion within the human soul. Even though at times I thought Maguire was looking a bit tired beyond his role he once again was able to portray a brilliant super-hero. Franco was above his acting game on this one playing his part to precise credibility. Dunst, Howard and Church were wonderful throughout the film as expected but the major surprise was Grace who overall showed his diversity as an actor on both the side of good and evil. One should hope they would never get caught in the web of his horrific venomous screams.
I could go on and on about this film but will try not to give too much away other than once again it will be a huge box office smash breaking records internationally. This is one trilogy that any actor would love to get caught up in its web. Hats off to a dear acquaintance of mine that was the latest bug caught in its web, James Cromwell, it was great to see him in this film. I recommend you get there early for this one it will be sold out for weeks. Spider Man Spider Man does whatever a spider can and more...
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.