ShareThisBy ANDREW A. SMITH
Scripps Howard News Service
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Since "Spider-Man 3" topped $151 million in its first weekend and $223 million in 10 days ($622 million worldwide), I presume most of you reading this have seen it. So let's hit the highlights:
-- Sandman: This is reportedly the most expensive movie ever made, costing somewhere between a quarter-billion and $300 million to make, with marketing and other costs pushing the total to around $500 million. If that's what it took to get those dazzling special effects for Sandman, it was money well spent. I was riveted, and my wife and sidekick, the Video Vixen, talked about Sandman all the way home.
As to his characterization, director Sam Raimi had a lot of latitude, as the comics version of the character is all over the map. So the movie actually improved the character, by giving him motivation (his little girl's sick) and playing into the movie's theme of redemption.
On the other hand, some fans, myself included, are a little annoyed that the classic Spider-Man origin (the best in comics) was altered to include Flint Marko. I didn't much care for it when they included The Joker in the Dark Knight's origin in 1989's "Batman," and I don't much care for it here. It alters the dynamic of a character when his origin changes. What next -- Lex Luthor blows up Krypton?
On the other hand, I don't agree with fans who say this removes Peter Parker's need to put on the union suit. He'll still feel guilty enough to do his web-swinging thing, but whatever element of vengeance was in his motivation has been removed, which actually makes him more likeable. (Although I do think Sandman should have turned himself in.)
-- Venom: All image, no substance. Never liked him.
Interestingly, I find a generation gap with Venom -- under-30s tend to love him, over-30s tend to dislike him, and I'm finding that in movie audiences as well.
Raimi announced at the Comics-Con International in San Diego last year (and in many interviews since) that he included Venom at producer Avi Arad's insistence. He wanted to make a smaller movie, and I think his instincts were on the mark -- with the clumsy addition of Venom (black space goo, indeed!), "Spider-Man 3" invites one element that killed the first Batman franchise -- Too Many Villains Syndrome. Speaking of which:
-- Green Goblin II: I didn't mind Harry Osborn as an "extra" villain. Not only did he redeem himself in the end -- and gave us our first cinematic superhero team-up -- but his story was integral to the themes of both this movie and the series overall. His character arc needed closure.
-- The Lizard: For the third straight movie we've seen Dr. Curt Connors, the alter ego of the reptilian Lizard. But, once again, he didn't turn green and scaly. That's a gun on the mantelpiece that's eventually going to have to be fired.
-- Bruce Campbell: Vurrry French. Monty Python smiles.
-- Gwen Stacy: As all comics fans know, Gwen was Pete's first true romance, ending with her murder at the hands of the Green Goblin. But Gwen didn't have much to do here except look pretty, as originally she was going to be an anonymous classmate of Peter's. According to scifi.com, producer Laura Ziskin suggested naming this minor character Gwen as a nod to older fans. Despite the truncated screen time, though, Bryce Dallas Howard still managed to make her decent and likeable.
-- Mary Jane: Actress Kirsten Dunst has hinted this is her last Spider-movie, and she appeared to be phoning it in. I'll give her points, though, for being brave enough to sing badly as a plot element.
-- Peter Parker: It was uncomfortable to watch lovable Petey act "bad" under the influence of the space goo. It was also reassuring, though, because he was so terrible at it. Once a nerd, always a nerd.
So the Captain's official reaction: Three spiders out of four. Points off for the musical-comedy bits.
What's next? Sony Pictures co-chairman Amy Pascal promised more Spider-movies, telling Daily Variety, "As many stories as Peter Parker has to tell, we'll do sequels." Although the chances of principals like Raimi, Tobey Maguire and Dunst returning appear slim.
But with Spidey's rogues' gallery still largely untapped -- think Lizard, Mysterio, Kraven, Vulture, Kingpin -- there will be plenty of opportunity for Spidey to do whatever a spider can.
(Contact Andrew Smith of the Memphis Commercial Appeal at capncomics(at)aol.com or visit www.captaincomics.us)
