Spider-Man 3 was released fifteen years ago, and it has proven to be a divisive superhero film that either evokes a sense of brilliant nostalgia or a sigh followed by the roll of the eyes. The 2007 superhero movie centered around Peter Parker hoping to marry his darling sweetheart, Mary Jane Watson. All of that becomes threatened when our brave hero comes into contact with a quarter-dozen angry and super-powered villains.
The film has been criticized for its over usage of subplots and super villains. Many fans have hailed it as the worst Spider-Man film, that failed to match expectations or critical reception of its predecessors. Much of the plot seemed rushed, and many critics didn’t think there was enough time to develop the villains properly, which was especially obvious for the somewhat miscast Venom.
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However, after a decade-and-a-half, and the release of the latest web-head movie, Spider-Man: No Way Home, the reception has gotten slightly better with more fans praising it for its themes.
It Had a Lot to Live Up to
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This was a sequel that had to follow Spider-Man 2. A lot was on the line for the third movie. Looking back, it seemed a little unfair, yet inevitable, to compare the third chapter of Sam Raimi’s Spidey saga to the other films. Spider-Man 2 is currently considered to be one of the greatest superhero movies of all time, and after its release, it seemed like a hard act to follow.
It seemed like the same pattern that occurred with The Godfather franchise. The first movie launched the saga into orbit while the second film improved upon the franchise, and then fans became incredibly disappointed with the dawn of the third film.
Looking at the film by itself, it’s a very entertaining film that drenches itself in popcorn, summer time fun, and it seems like it gets too much hate, because it is too often compared to all the other Spider-Man films. When you remove the comparisons, it becomes a movie that is still intriguing and entertaining in a world filled to the brim with superhero and franchise movies.
There Was a Variety of Villains
Despite having more villains than maybe one superhero could handle, audiences can find it incredibly tantalizing to look out on this open canvas of frightening villains and get a sense of euphoria from the comic-book hype. Admittedly, it’s understandable why people may have been rubbed the wrong way when Topher Grace was cast as Venom, and when the relationship between the symbiote and Spider-Man was bogged down in favor of other villains.
However, the villains served as a thrilling plot device for fans to sink their teeth into. They certainly had an appeal that has still stuck with fans for a long time, and keeps audiences engaged even after the reviews have poured in. Each villain has a certain unique quality and a different motivation that either makes you understand, detest, or root for them.
Sandman Had a Great Arc
Whether you love the movie or not, there is no denying Thomas Haden Church’s performance as Flint Marko/Sandman. His sympathetic turn as the walking mound of sand was something both heartfelt and unexpected. Church just slipped into the role like a glove.
Marko receives his powers when he falls into a super collider and goes on a rampage to steal money and rob banks. After coming across Spider-Man, it is revealed that Marko was instrumental in the killing of Parker’s Uncle Ben.
Both Spider-Man and Sandman have a stronger dynamic throughout the course of the film. It might have been great if the filmmakers zeroed-in on their relationship more than the other villains, because Sandman’s arc proves to be more poignant and teary-eyed than most villains in the Spider-Man film universe.
It’s Darker Than Most Spider-Man Films
One thing that can be easily appreciated about the film is the fact that it fills itself to the brim with a gothic macabre setting that almost looks like it were directed by Tim Burton. Being a symbiote-centric superhero drama, it makes sense that it would be very dark for the sake of the film.
It seems like a dystopian melodrama after being inundated with superhero tropes. It has such splendor and an honor for horror, since Sam Raimi directed it, that the Venom subplot seems like something out of a worst nightmare, come true.
Admittedly, the darkness may be something more downtrodden than uplifting when talking about superhero films, but there is an earnestness about the dark that sets its sights adjacent to Batman.
The Cast Gives Their All
The cast, no matter their roles, was a highlight of the film. The ensemble proves to be an assemblage of moving parts that elevates the film above an average hero flick. The film’s combined talent of actors is a driving force for why more people should be able to appreciate it.
Tobey Maguire shines as Spider-Man, especially during his iconic dance down the street in his black, symbiotic clothes. The cast goes all-in, and the film almost seems like a well-orchestrated play by Raimi, that prides itself on creating a dark and atmospheric film that seems like it didn’t get the credit it deserved.
