Spider-Man 3: Best Superhero Movie Ever?
If I've learned anything in my movie-watching time, it's this: there are certain types of movies (like artistic dramas) where you can listen to critics, and there are certain types of movies (like super-powered action) where you just ignore them. Trust me: ignore what they’re saying about Spider-Man 3. This movie is amazing, friendly and spectacular—maybe the best of the series.
For writer/director Sam Raimi, this was a bold plot to take down, with numerous characters and storylines weaving in and out of one another. But he pulls all of it off with excellence, giving each character and story time to develop while keeping up a swift pace. The result is a buffet of breathtaking action sequences, colorful characters and poignant moments.
The casting here is spot on. Toby Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco continue to feel just right in their roles as Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson and Harry Osbourne, although occasionally there's a bit of over-acting on Maguire and Franco's parts. I always like seeing Topher Grace on screen, and he brings his usual charisma to the doomed-to-be-a-bad-guy Eddie Brock. Bryce Dallas Howard is perfect as Gwen Stacy, lighting up the screen without overshadowing Mary Jane. Thomas Haden Church does about as good of a job as he can with the Sandman, but I feel this was the one character who was somewhat neglected in the script. And, as usual, we can’t get enough of J.K. Simmons as the outrageous J.J. Jameson.
But as good as the cast and the action are, Raimi's best move of all may be the lighthearted feel he keeps throughout the film. This is a dark story, and it easily could have gone with the gritty, brooding feel of the new Batman or Bond movies. That moved worked for both of those movies, but you know what? That’s not Spider-Man. The movie feels like you're in a comic book, with plenty of humor, light moments and it feels good when it finishes.
As far as worldview and values are concerned, it's rare that you get a quality movie with as many good messages as this. Peter and company deal with pride, anger, revenge, forgiveness, responsibility and sacrifice. The parallel between Spider-Man's evil symbiote suit and inner struggle to the struggles Christians face with our sin is pretty clear. For parents, there's basically no language or sex issues to deal with (which is a welcome break from the norm), and the only things that might be a problem are the intense and sometimes scary action scenes.
This is one of the movies that should be brought up in discussions on the best superhero movie of all time. It's hard to compare it to films like Batman Begins, X2 and the original Superman, as it usually comes down to which hero is your favorite. But if you're a fan of Spider-Man, the only real competition to Spider-Man 3 is, well, Spider-Man 2.
For writer/director Sam Raimi, this was a bold plot to take down, with numerous characters and storylines weaving in and out of one another. But he pulls all of it off with excellence, giving each character and story time to develop while keeping up a swift pace. The result is a buffet of breathtaking action sequences, colorful characters and poignant moments.
The casting here is spot on. Toby Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco continue to feel just right in their roles as Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson and Harry Osbourne, although occasionally there's a bit of over-acting on Maguire and Franco's parts. I always like seeing Topher Grace on screen, and he brings his usual charisma to the doomed-to-be-a-bad-guy Eddie Brock. Bryce Dallas Howard is perfect as Gwen Stacy, lighting up the screen without overshadowing Mary Jane. Thomas Haden Church does about as good of a job as he can with the Sandman, but I feel this was the one character who was somewhat neglected in the script. And, as usual, we can’t get enough of J.K. Simmons as the outrageous J.J. Jameson.
But as good as the cast and the action are, Raimi's best move of all may be the lighthearted feel he keeps throughout the film. This is a dark story, and it easily could have gone with the gritty, brooding feel of the new Batman or Bond movies. That moved worked for both of those movies, but you know what? That’s not Spider-Man. The movie feels like you're in a comic book, with plenty of humor, light moments and it feels good when it finishes.
As far as worldview and values are concerned, it's rare that you get a quality movie with as many good messages as this. Peter and company deal with pride, anger, revenge, forgiveness, responsibility and sacrifice. The parallel between Spider-Man's evil symbiote suit and inner struggle to the struggles Christians face with our sin is pretty clear. For parents, there's basically no language or sex issues to deal with (which is a welcome break from the norm), and the only things that might be a problem are the intense and sometimes scary action scenes.
This is one of the movies that should be brought up in discussions on the best superhero movie of all time. It's hard to compare it to films like Batman Begins, X2 and the original Superman, as it usually comes down to which hero is your favorite. But if you're a fan of Spider-Man, the only real competition to Spider-Man 3 is, well, Spider-Man 2.
posted by Chris at 1:45 PM
3 Comments:
I agree it's a family-friendly movie, although my 11-year old daughter got bored with the Peter/Mary Jane "Drama." Venom and Sandman, in my opinion, were great adaptions. Not a bad way to spend the afternoon.
I was especially moved by the symbolism and message of the 'forgiveness' scene near the end. The multiple sensory experience of how the Sandman responds to 'I forgive you' (visually, emotionally) is symbolic of what really happens through the act of forgiving / being forgiven. That being feelings of anger and revenge subside with inner peace and maturity taking their place. Beautifully and artistically well-done. What a platform for life lessons, even evangelism!
It was a very good movie. The part all men should identify with is the dinner where MJ comes in after a bad day. Spider man is going to ask MJ to married him, and she is not up to it. To make matters worse, he think he understands what she going through. He keeps on talking about himself until she has had enough, she walks out and he still doesn't know what he did. Men make sure you see and study this part, know what not to do when you women is upset.
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