Hello CBMers!!!
Good day everyone. *your best Seinfeld imitation here* What's the deal with Spider-Man 3? The penultimate chapter in Sam Raimi's cinematic Spiderman trilogy, is often decried with ferocious opinions. While yes, it's true, Spider-Man 3 is a substandard film; especially when put into comparison to the two prior outings. Despite such failings, I believe there are a few things that Spider-Man 3 did quite good. Certainly when the film was bad, oh it was bad to the Nth degree; but there are still some things handled well. So this is another edition of my Top Fours series, things Spider-Man 3 did well.
ACTION/SFX
The team behind this film had already completed two films of the web slinger in action. The experience shows in Spider-Man 3 as the SFX were rendered better and more refined. The many glaring SFX shots apparent in the first had come to be subdued and not as prominent, perhaps because most of the action sequences took place in the dark. The action was great, they mixed practical effects with the SFX rather well. In a scene that required Spider-Man to punch through Sandman, an amputee stunt double was used allowing for a great scene. The in air action is outstanding, the first action scene in which Harry's Goblin attacks Peter is underrated and exhilarating. Gwen Stacy's rescue from the skyscraper was exciting and intense. The multiple action scenes where rather memorable, for example: Goblin and Peter's air duel, saving Gwen Stacy, Spider-Man's first encounter with Sandman, Spiderman and Sandman in the subway, and finally the end in which Venom and Sandman team up to battle Spiderman and Goblin. Just some great action.
SANDMAN'S TRANSFORMATION
Sandman's transformation was beautiful and excellently filmed. It had all the classic trappings of pure comic book villain creation, as the dastardly felon stumbles into an exotic testing area; this time with sand. Morphing Flint into a creature composed of countless sand particles. The change was filmed with gorgeous SFX, and some emotional depth; as we witness Sandman struggle with his new form. His daughter's locket serving as inspiration to reform himself. An engaging scene.
VENOM
Yes. I think Venom was well handled in this movie. For real. Rumors persist that Raimi had no intention of using Venom, that the character was forced upon him. Thus he was shoe horned into the film, yet shoe horned in quite good. Eddie Brock was portrayed as a smug, conniving, and vindictive person; making him easy to hate. Despite his own faults, he still blamed Peter for his entire world coming apart. He even gained the suit much like his comic book counterpart, in a church; which the film had him go to in a cheeky manner thanks to one of Peter's insults. Plus the design was better than most probably anticipated, he came together as an intriguing anti-Spiderman. As almost an afterthought, Venom was adequate. Pretty good.
J. JONAH JAMESON
Granted if there is one thing unequivocally identified as excellent in Raimi's trilogy, it is J. Jonah Jameson. In particular, I find him to work great in this film as a wonderful comic foil. Having to deal with high blood pressure with numerous medication, often those medicines flailed through the air at his surprise to his secretary's buzzer. JK Simmons was in the peak performance category of his Jameson portrayal. He even got to show some true intensity, firing Eddie Brock. And he looked down on "dark" Peter with the same look we all wanted to do as well. Plus a very cute and light moment during the finale, in which he's duped by a young girl with camera. Not quite up to the same level as in Spider-Man 2, but nonetheless still delightful. Just outstanding.
Well there it is. This edition of Top Fours is complete. Those are the things I enjoyed alot from Spider-Man 3. Maybe you enjoyed some elements as well, let me know in the comments. In case you wondered, yes I did watch it twice recently on television. And as always thanks for reading.