D.C. MOVIE GUYS

The summer movie season has blossomed with full force as “Spider Man 3″  has arrived on thousands of screens., several dozen in the Washington area.  There’s really not much I can say that will stop dedicated fans from going-but I do have a few thoughts. f you’re casually interested in seeing it, or plan to take your kids or grandkids (and good for you,) you should know that, plot-wise, this isn’t the best film in the series.  That honor still belongs to the first film. Tobey Maguire’s work as Peter Parker stands out, particularly when a substance from outer space warps his normally mild personality.  He and Kirsten Dunst as his actress girlfriend Mary June, still possess an on screen chemistry that makes their scenes together sweet and touching.   The first two “Spider Man” films were good examples of comic book fantasy effectively mereged with pop culture storytelling at its best.  They were  redeemed by the acting of Maguire, Dunst and supporting actor J.K. Simmons as bombastic newspaper publisher J. Jonah Jameson, as well as by dazzling special effects that augmented, rather than overwhelming, the plot.

All those elementrs are present in “SM 3,” but something is missing.  Perhaps writer/director Sam Rami, who’s done a great job of meeting the expectations of both folks who’ve read Spidey since they were kids and viewers who just want a great time at the movies, is a bit burned out.  The film’s villains seem a bit less than super.  New supporting characters Eddie Brock (Topher Grace) and Gwen Stacey (Bryce Dallas Howard) are shallowly drawn.  Yes, “Spider Man 3″ swings high on its web, but it doesn’t soar like films editions one and two.

MPAA RATING:PG-13 ffor violence and grown up chaperons should take note: The scenes in which characters transform into the black suited Venom are a bit intense for small kids.
JOE’S RATING: THREE STARS.

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The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide: A Business and Legal Sourcebook

Japanese Movie Posters: Yakuza, Monster, Pink, and Horror

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