Dans Papers - May 11, 2007

Oh, what a tangled web they weave when they first practice to deceive a blockbuster-hungry audience who has been living on breadcrumbs and water during April - the movie business's cruelest month. The 3rd Spider-Man production will not disappoint, unless you are a reviewer or critic. There is enough comic book stuff crammed into its 2 hours and 20 minutes to appease the corniest of popcorn-mouth poppers or well tutored fans of the arachnid spun yarns that have leapt off the 4 color pages of Marvel Comics and stuck to their minds the way "Spidey" sticks to ceilings and tall buildings and, his girlfriend Mary Jane. The avid corn poppers may get a bit confused by the "heavier" material that drops from the ceiling to reshuffle and add tinges of refreshment but, these are explained frequently by the cast. This causes plodding. The director (for the 3rd time), Sam Raimi and his co-writers have complicated and thickened the web to the extent of making it stickier and darker. However, the CGI effects continue to improve and the franchise's three film cycles have added depth and character - an over-arching superior umbrella of quality. Yes, a third outing for the Spider-Man may seem at times a bit threadbare. I might say that, despite some sagging of Spider-Man's safety netting, this could be the best ever of any comic book super hero's 3rd movie extension.

Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man is more of an anachronism than he is an arachnid. Which is to say, count his extremities for cryin' out loud. But, he is marvelous in the dual roles. And, he's still enjoying doing it or else he's truly a spectacular actor. Kirsten Dunst still wimps her way through as Mary Jane and James Franco continues as the third of "the good ol' pals," Harry Osborn. All have been torn from innocence and share altered lives. Their interplay will become even more complex. Maguire's Peter Parker and Dunst's Mary Jane are billing and cooing coyly again as idyllic New York City (thanks to Spider-Man) lights up once more. Peter and Harry's mutual hatred is satisfied after their high-sky battle over Manhattan, partly because it gives Harry a slight case of amnesia. And, would you believe, Mary Jane has gotten a singing star role on Broadway? Hey, we're talkin' comic book story line, here.

Nice guy Peter believes the entire super hero hype about his Spider icon self. So, he picks up on his dallying with Gwen, the police captain's daughter, a flickering flame from the first film. Spidey has saved her from a distressing crane incident. (Whew! And oh, golly-gee!) Mary Jane is another damsel-in-distress. Opening night reviews panned her singing (the movie gives us the chance to see why, later) and Peter's swollen head has swollen her patience and, his dalliance with Gwen has burst her heart. Oh, what a tangled web. But, wait--Peter learns of MJ and Harry's betrayal and, oh, m'gosh, his late Uncle Ben's killer, Flint Marko is at large. Tough Thomas Hayden Church makes a great Marko but, difficult to catch because he fell into a reactor and can materialize (or de-materialize) into SAND! He is known as the Sandman, excellent for more computer graphics. Uh, oh, did I mention that some mysterious, alien black goo drops from the sky and blackens Spidey's suit and persona? Things are really dark for Peter. As Harry's memory returns, he vows to avenge his dad's death. Out comes the Green Goblin gear. Of course, he thinks the Spider-Guy did it. Are you still with me? Wow, I almost forgot Peter's nemesis, the cameraman Eddie Brock, a wily Topher Grace role, who gets splashed by some of the black goo and becomes "Venom." Look out! The black goo has made Peter, not only obnoxious but also extremely vengeful. It also makes him a bit nutsy. He does Saturday Night Fever shtick and, watch out for Mary Jane's songs. Too much is barely enough for director Raimi. I think he secretly wants to do a musical. Think about it. There's comedy, as well.

The producers, director and screenwriters, Alvin Sargent, Sam and brother Ivan Raimi have spared no expense or turn of plot and action to give you your money's worth. Was it worth it? For what it's worth practically everyone on screen winds up crying. Hold on! What about that shot of Spider-Man in front of a huge American flag? That alone is worth the price of admission.

Guy Jean de Fraumeni is the producer/writer/director of award winning European and American feature films. He has been a judge at Major Film and TV award competitions, including the Oscars, the Emmy's and various film festivals. Sarah Halsey assists him.