The Critics' Reviews of Spider-Man 3 Thread

[Infini]

I had a bad taste in my throat from reading the script summary of the Battle Royale a year ago. The whole just constant 'pounding spider-man' for 10-minutes thing while obviously not detailed just didn't give me a glorius final battle image. Especially the Venom holding Spider-Man down and swinging in and trumping through him for the duration of the battle while he fought Giant Sandman, which was pretty much what happened.

The novel purified my hopes for it later, though I still got that bad taste in my mouth watching it because of how spliced out all the critical story elements of the battle had been... Parker throws way too many Goblin bombs in this movie which annoys me. And that previous report about Sony forcing the editors to bring in more action seems legit. Most of the battle scenes are still short, though again you can see how both battle and story have had a constant struggle being leveled because of time restraint.

The movie itself isn't bad as people claim either way, it could have just been better.

 

[amazingdm]

In reality, Bruce Campbell really isn't that talented. Hey, I loved the Evil Dead movies as much as the next guy, but truth is truth. And that part was OK if not just drawn out. Theres was just too much to put into the movie. I mean, you had to get Sandman, Harry, and Venom in there, along with symbiote suit Spiderman. One of them has to go, and it should have been Sandman. Because we already had a villian like him, Doc Ock in SM2.

Nothing against him, but we don't need another villain from which we can sorta understand his situation. Sandman was stealing money to help his daughter, he accidentally shot Ben, was just at the wrong time wrong place, not really a bad guy at heart. Its just a rehash of Doc Ock really. Take away him and focus more on the origins of the symbiote instead of having it just fall from space one day. Take away the piano playing, dancing scene, etc. The list is just too long, and I am too tired right now to go through what everyone already mentioned.

Oh Bruce Campbell is INDEED talented. It might not be acting in serious roles, but I never like serious movies. His humor and just way of delivering lines is genius, pure genius. He's got this quality about him.. it's like an addiction and I don't mean that in a homo way.

I agree Sandman could have gone. Wasn't like it was bad though

 

[Jerry!]

Yeah it kinda was like it was bad. There wasn't even a damn conclusion to his story. He just left. I guess his kid died then, but hey, we don't know because none of his loose ends were tied up.

 

[titan101]

In honor of the new movie, here is a funny clip called "An Interview with Spider-man". It's on youtube (in two parts) at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4rVCd75i-M

While there you might also enjoy a funny clip called "How to Turn on a Flashlight". You can see that at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsJPM9mOxyE

WE ... DON'T ... GIVE .... A..... ****..... PLEASE...... STOP .... POSTING .... IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ultimate_Superman]

The sad part is IMO when they showed the trailer for POTC 3 it got more of a reaction then Spider-Man did.

 

[El Payaso]

well I don't take that one critic seriously after reading this

"There is one long, irrelevant and disruptive sequence in which no-talent Raimi sidekick Bruce Campbell appears as a French waiter that makes you wonder what these people were swallowing besides designer water"

I'm sorry but from all the unfunny Campbell spider-cameos this is by far the worst. I like the guy, but not trying forcedly to be funny in Spiderman movies and failing at it.

 

[superion]

Haven't seen the film yet but I wonder if the critics are being harsher on this movie than they otherwise would be due to the comparisons to Spiderman 2. Spiderman 3 shold be judged on its own and not in comparison to the previous films. I'll take their word on it that it's the worst of the three but I find it hard to believe that it's that much worst than something like X1 which while good still seemed a lot like a TV movie.

Eh, maybe after three films critics are tired of the franchise. I never understood why Pirates 2 got such a bashing last year when most critics liked the first one. I enjoyed both and could found little difference in quality in the two movies.

 

[Malus]

Earlier this week in USA Today, Raimi stated that criticism affected him 10x more than praise.
If that's true, I hope someone's got the guy on suicide watch this weekend.

Peter Parker's embarrassing "dark Peter dance-a-thon" is -in my opinion- now the all-time low point in credible superhero adaptations.
At least Bat-nipples were only a cosmetic misstep.

 

[primemover]

Haven't seen the film yet but I wonder if the critics are being harsher on this movie than they otherwise would be due to the comparisons to Spiderman 2. Spiderman 3 shold be judged on its own and not in comparison to the previous films. I'll take their word on it that it's the worst of the three but I find it hard to believe that it's that much worst than something like X1 which while good still seemed a lot like a TV movie.

Eh, maybe after three films critics are tired of the franchise. I never understood why Pirates 2 got such a bashing last year when most critics liked the first one. I enjoyed both and could found little difference in quality in the two movies.

Or maybe, just maybe, Spider-Man 3 and POTC2 were weaker films than their predecessors, as I and others I know feel.

People seem awfully quick around here to concoct conspiracy theories when things don't go their way.

 

[primemover]

The sad part is IMO when they showed the trailer for POTC 3 it got more of a reaction then Spider-Man did.

For my showing FF2 and especially Harry Potter 5 got more buzz, and I am sure POTC3 would have too but it was not shown.

 

[nacho]

Haven't seen the film yet but I wonder if the critics are being harsher on this movie than they otherwise would be due to the comparisons to Spiderman 2. Spiderman 3 shold be judged on its own and not in comparison to the previous films. I'll take their word on it that it's the worst of the three but I find it hard to believe that it's that much worst than something like X1 which while good still seemed a lot like a TV movie.

Eh, maybe after three films critics are tired of the franchise. I never understood why Pirates 2 got such a bashing last year when most critics liked the first one. I enjoyed both and could found little difference in quality in the two movies.

I watched the movie last night and I tried lowering my expectations. It worked mostly...I tried justifying that the weird parts of the movie were actually there for a reason (the dance scene especially). I tried to watch the movie without comparing it to Spider-man 2, but naturally I did. Even without comparing it to 2 it was just an average movie. I hoped to God that rottentomatoes was wrong...but it looks like it's very true. *sigh* oh well. You will still enjoy the movie. Just don't expect too much.

 

[tengu17]

Overall I actually liked this movie. But where was Peter's "Spider sense"? And I found it hilarious that the butler kept his mouth shut for sooooo long, I could picture Harry saying "this would've been useful information like 6 months ago!!"

 

[prluver]

Does it matter that it doesn't live up to it?

 

[Liquid_Mind]

Fourth, I cannot, absolutely cannot for the life of me understand the complaints regarding the emotion displayed in the film. There are some life-altering events that take place in the movie...things happen that deeply and profoundly affect all of the characters...is it wrong for the characters to show emotion when confronted with events that will forever change them and alter their destinies? Is it wrong for Peter Parker to show moments of weakness and show that he, like all of us, despite being a superhero, is a human being? I don't think it is...but, judging from the reaction of the "tough-guy" gangbanger, poser, geek crowd I saw the film with last night...apparently, Raimi and company committed cardinal sins by doing this.

My main objection with the response from the so-called "fans" and the general public, is that they object to the humanity in the story. They object to seeing people cry...they object to seeing emotion...they laugh at what are supposed to be tender moments...they snicker at what are supposed to be moments of heartbreak and tragedy. For example...the heart-breaking scene in which Mary Jane is forced to "break-up" with Peter. This is probably the wirst thing that could happen to Peter in his life...and he responds appropriately; by showing his emotions, nearly weeping, and begging her not to do what she's doing. And how did most of the men in the audience respond? With snide comments, jeers, and shouts at the screen of such choice phrases as , "You can do better, Peter!" These fools just don't get it. The first two films were all about how Peter has been in love with Mary Jane since he was a child...they are destined to be together. Their love will transcend. But, to today's "crowd"...a generation of people who think, for the most part, that love means nothing...this point is lost on them.

I thought that the greatest thing about "SPIDER-MAN 3" was the fact that it shows what heartbreak is all about...it shows how love can render you to a state of almost helplessness...it shows how giving into your hate and misery can transform you into a monster...it shows how the loss of a loved one (to death or a parting in a relationship) can cripple your very soul...it shows how fragile the human heart and soul really are, and how our inner struggles can be overcome with not just forgiving ourselves, but forgiving each other as well. And how does the general public respond to all of this? With laughter...with mocking comments...with hate. Because, in my opinion, most people have never experienced true love...they're never allowed themselves to give in to their emotions...they've never experienced the real loss of love. So, they can't begin to fathom the beauty, power, and pain of this experience.

You hit the nail on the head on this one.

Though I do have some quibbles with the film, I thought the emotion was there, and was a little surprised at how some people are panning it. Yes there's a lot of crying in the film, but a lot of crap happens in this flick. Its not like they're crying because they found out they got fourth place in the Kentucky Bike Derby.

If you ask me, I think I tolerated this film A LOT more than Spider-Man 1. Though I enjoy part 1, that movie had some SERIOUS eye-rolling from me when MJ would give her long monologue about how she thought about Peter Parker (not to mention her cringing acting). And lets not forget the overdrawn moment where Peter tells MJ what "he said about her to Spider-Man".

The only thing that had me a little akward was Raimi's reveling in the cheese department. I appreciate that Raimi seems to enjoy making this movie and isn't afraid to lay out the cheesey moments but I think to every good thing there has to be a limit. I thought the whole Jazz Dance thing could've been far simplified. I will say it was fun, but I thought a lot of the things were needless. Same with the Dunst and Franco dancing thing. I don't know if that was needed either but felt more in place than Peter twistin all over the place.

I remember one critic saying something along the lines of "Black suited Spidey isn't so dark after all". After seeing the film, I was a little surprised the critic said that. Sure Spidey doesn't become Jason Vorhees or anything, but I thought he was pretty damn evil at some points. I guess slapping your girlfriend and throwing a bomb at your best friend's face with no remorse doesn't constitute for a bad attitude these days.

 

[Super Kal]

I'll say this about the critics... don't let what they say sway you from seeing the movie.

Go watch the movie for yourself, and make you own conclusions on what you say, not what other people saw.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

User rating is down to 70% on RT for this film. I'm feeling like a lot of these critics are. What a disappointment.

 

[The Caped Knight]

Movie Review

Spiderman 3 - The best of the franchise
Exclusive by Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Saturday, May 05, 2007]

Now this is what you call as BIG....and definitely better!

Leave aside the talks of Spiderman fighting his inner demons, battle between right and wrong, misunderstandings between lovers etc. etc. The fact remains that the latest version of Spiderman franchise entertains, enthralls, sets the adrenalin running and makes you gasp for breath in almost each of its nail biting 'Spidey' moments!

Call it a dig on the media and paparazzi but Spiderman is shown to be fully enjoying the proceedings around him. So much so that he is willing to put up a stunt to keep his fans, media and the freelancers who want their bit of an exclusive from the 'Star'! He jumps around, kisses a girl who could be his secret fantasy in the college, gives exclusive poses (with a smile underneath his mask)....all in full public view.

Now that's not something which is taken too lightly by his steady girlfriend MJ [Kirsten Dunst]. And what you see is a 'pyaar-mein-takraara', complete Bollywood ishtyle, as MJ finds herself on the crossroads where she is seeing a steady success of her guy and her own failure to be a Broadway star. 'Abhimaan' anyone?

But hey, this is not all as there is a little bit of 'Sangam' here as well? Spiderman has all the right reasons to croon 'dost dost naa raha' as his best friend Harry [James Franco], looking to avenge his dad's killing, has MJ coming straight to his arms. Well, at least he his man enough to call Peter Parker [Tobey Maguire] to a coffee shop, inform him that he is 'the other man' and then wink to put a final nail in the coffin!

This is the moment that was required to make Spiderman go wayward! He lets the creepy-black-unexplained-mercury-like-solution dominate his body, soul and heart, don a black suit instead of traditional red, have anger in his mind all the time, and roam around the town. No, he still doesn't do harm to anyone good, but for personal vendetta lets himself loose....and even become overtly careless and carefree!

Did someone say the film became dark at this point of time? Naah! Because the word fun takes a different route now! Peter walks like a dancer on the streets, flirts with everything in the skirt that comes his way and impresses his new found crush-turned-girlfriend with a nice little jig in a restaurant [poor MJ, she is working in the same place as a waitress/singer].

Still, there is some goodness still left in him. His conscious tells him that was doing wrong, his grandma reminds him that he was a good boy and heck, looking at his strange behavior, even his Russian landlord also exclaims in disbelief - "But he is a good boy!"

Peter fights it out to win against his evil side. But there are too many external evil forces around to create additional problems for him. There is this 'Pran' like character Sandman [Thomas Haden Church] who had allegedly killed Peter's grandfather since he was desperate for some cash for the treatment of his ill daughter .

He says, 'Main Majboor Tha', but then on the run he finds himself in the middle of a molecular activity that makes his body turn into sand. He cannot be killed or caught, and he can take any shape provided there is ton load of sand around. He finds some in the film's climax and pronto, he gives King Kong some challenge right away.

Meanwhile Spiderman gets rid of the creepy-black-unexplained-mercury-like-solution only to find it transferring into a freelancer reporter who had his own professional score to settle with him. He turns into a monster and paints the town 'black' with his deeds!

'Spiderman ek, villain teen [Sandman, Harry, the freelancer] - bahaut na-insaafi hai!' Will Spiderman succumb to so much of evil power around him? This is what 'Breaking News' news channels claim once they find him down and almost out as the 'war' is getting covered LIVE across the globe!

The film's strength lies in its definite storyline and strong script. So even if Spidey is not dangling round the buildings (there is less of that this time around, and one doesn't mind it at all), there is so much happening around to keep the viewer hooked on to the screen.

So here we have Spidey having his intimate moments atop a huge spider-web with his girl, getting some lessons of being a "perfect man" from his grandma (Raymonds listening?), trying to make his best friend understand yet again that it wasn't him who killed his father and a lot more!

And guess what, the 'lot more' part is the one which brings in the most excitement! This is because after getting all the powers, Spiderman now starts exploring the vulnerable side to him as well. Spoilt (well, not exactly, but still a little) by his popularity across the city of New York, he publicly acknowledges the fact that he is loving all the attention.

If the studio proclaims that this installment is the costliest film ever made, let's believe it. That's because it's just not about Spiderman. It's a lot more with elements of 'Matrix', 'Mummy', 'King Kong' and a lot more - all rolled into one! Special effects belong to the never-seen-before variety while the action is breathtaking, to say the least.

Tobey Maguire is good overall and excellent when, especially in the second half, when he shows his lighter side by walking/dancing on the streets of New York. Kirsten is forever wailing and seriously, even in Hindi films, something like that would have been intolerable. Her looks are plain Jane, agreed, but then can we have something better to watch in the next installment. James is extremely likeable as a college boy next door and one wishes he is seen more in some light hearted comedies. Thomas is required to carry one expression and he does well in that.

If one had to summarize the film in Bollywood parlay, it would be apt to say - "Isme action bhi hai, emotion bhi hai, drama bhi hai, message bhi hai aur naach-gaana bhi hai!"

Total paisa vasool!

Rating: ****(4 stars)

http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/9196.html

 

[Mr. Credible]

Wow

and what parts of it were so bad?

the fact that you even have to ask just shows how bias you are.

what parts were so bad? um... how about the parts that nearly every critic who isn't a died in the wool spider-man comic, or sam raimi fan, is complaining about?

 

[Carlo Comicus]

I'll say this about the critics... don't let what they say sway you from seeing the movie.

Go watch the movie for yourself, and make you own conclusions on what you say, not what other people saw.

I'm agree.

 

[The Caped Knight]

I'll say this about the critics... don't let what they say sway you from seeing the movie.

Go watch the movie for yourself, and make you own conclusions on what you say, not what other people saw.

You tell them Picard !!!!!

 

[The Game]

the fact that you even have to ask just shows how bias you are.

what parts were so bad? um... how about the parts that nearly every critic who isn't a died in the wool spider-man comic, or sam raimi fan, is complaining about?

Dude you should know this place is a save-haven for uber cheer leaders, I never go by what critics say, but on this occasion most have been right about SM3 being a blow fest.

 

[Mr Jide]

Peter Parker's embarrassing "dark Peter dance-a-thon" is -in my opinion- now the all-time low point in credible superhero adaptations.
At least Bat-nipples were only a cosmetic misstep.

You completely missed the point of what those scenes were conveying. It was SUPPOSED to be embarrassing but he didn't care, he felt good and confident enough to look and act like a derranged jackass.

Why are people not getting this?

 

[Mr. Credible]

You completely missed the point of what those scenes were conveying. It was SUPPOSED to be embarrassing but he didn't care, he felt good and confident enough to look and act like a derranged jackass.

Why are people not getting this?

because. it. was. stupid. and. painful. to. watch.

why are you not getting this?

 

[SLYspyder]

because. it. was. stupid. and. painful. to. watch.

why are you not getting this?

no it wasn't. I enjoyed the dancing scenes, and the way it ended with Peter hitting MJ MORE THAN nullified the whole cheesiness.



It went up to 62% on rottentomatoes guys. To think a week ago, we were whining about 80%, now I just don't want it to fall below 60%.

 

[Mr Jide]

I do get it, you and others lack the understanding that those scenes were meant to be stupid and absurd, it's not rocket scienece. The audience are meant to feel ashamed and embarrased for and by him.