#54: Spider-Man 3 (2007) June 11, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Action, Drama, Sci-fi, Sam Raimi, 2000s, 3 stars, 2007, superhero films , add a comment2007 | Sam Raimi | 139 mins | cinema | 12A / PG-13
Spider-Man 3 carries the distinct air of a group of people trying to recapture former glories, and the fun they had achieving them, and failing on both counts. There are hints at the things that made the first two (especially the second) movies so good, but they’re relatively poorly executed.
The pacing is shot to shreds, scenes and plot points need rearranging, the villains are less engaging, Venom is shockingly underused, the climax virtually comes out of the blue, and emo-Parker is just plain embarrassing (at first people at least laughed at him in the street, but then there’s the jazz club sequence…) I also spent much of it wondering where most of the massive budget had gone. Yes, there’s the odd action sequence (often with not-that-impressive CGI, it must be said), but much of the film focusses on the ‘human drama’ side of things, much more so than the first two (which were relatively heavy on it for summer movies) and with much less effect. It’s only really in the finale that the budget shows, as if they saved it all up to pour out then.
I’ve wittered on again, in a way I haven’t since Hidden, and all with complaints… but here’s why: the Spider-Man movies were great and, while this one has a relatively ambiguous ending in some respects, this is in so many ways clearly designed as a trilogy-ender. And it disappoints; and it disappoints in the worst possible way, because there are some great germs of ideas here… it just feels like they’ve filmed the second draft instead of letting it be fully polished. It’s a huge shame.
#49a: Spider-Man 2.1 (2004/2007) May 21, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Action, Sci-fi, Sam Raimi, 5 stars, 2000s, 2007, extended/director's cut, superhero films , add a comment2004 / 2007 | Sam Raimi | 130 mins | DVD | PG / PG-13
Shortly before the release of the new threequel, Spider-Man 2 returns to DVD in this newly extended form. What’s there? Not much. There are bits so little you’ll think “I don’t remember that bit” (and it may just be a bit you’ve forgotten); there’s a new scene with MJ that’s OK but not mind-blowing; some added bits to fights; and an alternate version of The Lift Scene that is funny and (very) notably different, but just not as good as the original. It’s still a 5-star film because it doesn’t ruin the original — but it’s not at all essential. The DVD has new extras, mind, so if that’s your thing (like me) it may be worth it.
In retrospect, I probably should have rated this lower. It may still be a good film, but the fact is the original cut’s better — even if just for the superior version of The Lift Scene. I rather doubt I’ll ever watch it again.