INFLUX MOVIE REVIEWS

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SPIDER-MAN 3
Spider-Man 3 Builds Web of Deceit -- With the Viewer as its Victim
MOVIE: Spider-Man 3

DIRECTOR: Sam Raimi

CAST: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franko, Topher Grace

THE QUICK HIT:

Spider-Man 3 spins an intricate web of deceit, trapping the viewer in its web, fooling us into believing that we should like this movie. Ultimately, however, SM3 lacks an entertaining story, compassionate characters and, well, humanity. It's just way too over the top with the special effects, more reminiscent of a The Phantom Menace rather than the original Spider-Man. Needless to say, I was disappointed. GRADE: C+

THE BIG PICTURE:

Well, the story is easy enough, but really, who cares about the story ... the filmmakers didn't. Raimi and his crew weave a Spider-Man story that is ridiculously superficial, predictable and downright annoying. Additionally, the film targets, more the fanboy-comic book guy, rather than the general audience it built with the first two films.

With the first two films, it never felt like you had to be knowledgeable about the comic book, but in the third, there is a demand for a previous history with the arachnid. As is often the downfall with effects driven movies, there is just too much going on in SM3. As a viewer, we already know the main characters. Maguire's conflicted Peter Parker is more troubled than ever in SM3; while Dunst, as Mary Jane, is the tagalong girl, seemingly written in to propel the story and emote on cue.

SM3 introduces a few new villains, including Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), who gives a fun, but unfulfilled performance. As viewers we are never allowed to connect or even disconnect with the character. He's just the bad guy Spidey is supposed to defeat.

Another villain is, well, Spidey. Oddly entertaining, these moments harken back to Raimi's Evil Dead days, when the main character, Ash (Bruce Campbell) would heroically and hysterically battle himself.

Then, let's throw in Topher Grace's Venom into the mix, yet another villain that Spidey must confront. Not only does he want to cause injury to the hero, but he wants his job at the Daily Bugle. Damn him.

But why have only add three villains? Heck, let's throw in the New Goblin -- Harry Osborn (James Franco) and son of the first film's Green Goblin.

Ultimately, Spider-Man 3 feels like a 250 million dollar movie. It's covered with candy-coating but lacks the originality and character of Raimi's low-budget movies that built his core audience.

TECHNICAL MUMBO JUMBO:

With budget estimates between $250 and $500 million, this is a visually astounding movie and worth seeing at the theater for those reasons alone.

Review by Brett Erikson.

INFLUX MOVIE REVIEWS www.influxmagazine.com
SPIDER-MAN 3	*Spider-Man 3 Builds Web of Deceit -- With the Viewer as its Victim* MOVIE: Spider-Man 3
	DIRECTOR: Sam Raimi
	CAST: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franko, Topher Grace
THE QUICK HIT:
Spider-Man 3 spins an intricate web of deceit, trapping the viewer in its web, fooling us into believing that we should like this movie. Ultimately, however, SM3 lacks an entertaining story, compassionate characters and, well, humanity. It's just way too over the top with the special effects, more reminiscent of a The Phantom Menace rather than the original Spider-Man. Needless to say, I was disappointed. GRADE: C+
THE BIG PICTURE:
Well, the story is easy enough, but really, who cares about the story ... the filmmakers didn't. Raimi and his crew weave a Spider-Man story that is ridiculously superficial, predictable and downright annoying. Additionally, the film targets, more the fanboy-comic book guy, rather than the general audience it built with the first two films. With the first two films, it never felt like you had to be knowledgeable about the comic book, but in the third, there is a demand for a previous history with the arachnid. As is often the downfall with effects driven movies, there is just too much going on in SM3. As a viewer, we already know the main characters. Maguire's conflicted Peter Parker is more troubled than ever in SM3; while Dunst, as Mary Jane, is the tagalong girl, seemingly written in to propel the story and emote on cue. SM3 introduces a few new villains, including Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), who gives a fun, but unfulfilled performance. As viewers we are never allowed to connect or even disconnect with the character. He's just the bad guy Spidey is supposed to defeat. Another villain is, well, Spidey. Oddly entertaining, these moments harken back to Raimi's Evil Dead days, when the main character, Ash (Bruce Campbell) would heroically and hysterically battle himself. Then, let's throw in Topher Grace's Venom into the mix, yet another villain that Spidey must confront. Not only does he want to cause injury to the hero, but he wants his job at the Daily Bugle. Damn him. But why have only add three villains? Heck, let's throw in the New Goblin -- Harry Osborn (James Franco) and son of the first film's Green Goblin. Ultimately, Spider-Man 3 feels like a 250 million dollar movie. It's covered with candy-coating but lacks the originality and character of Raimi's low-budget movies that built his core audience.
TECHNICAL MUMBO JUMBO:
With budget estimates between $250 and $500 million, this is a visually astounding movie and worth seeing at the theater for those reasons alone.
Review by Brett Erikson.