I had to pass on the Marvel screening Wednesday night because it conflicted with two bowling leagues of mine. So there I was doing a signing at Midtown Comics yesterday, along with fellow Spider-writer Roberto, and a fellow named Shane from Columbia pictures asked if I was interested in seeing a screening at 7 PM that evening.
Hëll yeah.
Did I like the film? Yup.
I didn’t quite like it as unabashedly as others, but when you’ve written the novelization of a screenplay, you can’t really enjoy the film the way other people do. For most viewers, the burning question is, “What’s going to happen?” Well, I knew pretty much what was going to happen, so I had instead my own sets of questions.
How were the ambitious action scenes going to play? Answer: Very well. The intercutting between live action and CGI has become nearly seamless; technically it’s light years ahead from the first film (which I have to admit remains my favorite.)
How were the scenes in the script that didn’t do jack to advance the plot going to impact on the film’s flow? Answer: Not at all, because they cut them all. (I was seated next to Heidi MacDonald and a friend of hers, Ken, and at one point Ken was muttering to me that the film was dragging. I muttered back, “Trust me: It could have been a lot worse.”)
How were the actors going to handle some of the dialogue that I felt was wince-worthy? Answer: Hit and miss. Some places provoked unwanted laughter from the audience. Other places worked very well, so kudos to them.
Since the script was a little fuzzy on it, how many times was Spidey going to lose his mask? Answer: I lost count. When it comes out on DVD you may want to turn it into a drinking game. If you really want to get hammered, you can toss down a shot whenever Venom loses his mask as well.
How in the world were they going to make the climax work, considering that some aspects were so filled with schmaltz that all it needed was Patrick Swayze to intone, “Nobody puts Spidey in a corner.” Answer: They changed it. Thank God, they changed it. I was really concerned that certain elements would have the audience cringing or howling. As it turned out, Sam Raimi or maybe a test audience or someone obviously shared my concerns because the filmed ending works much better.
Of couse, for those interested in seeing the original ending (with which I did the best I could; I think it actually works better in print than it would have on the screen) plus all the deleted scenes, it’s in the novelization. But see the movie first.
Have to say, for me, the acting standout in the film was Thomas Hayden Church’s Sandman. I wasn’t sure how it was going to play on screen, but as opposed to the somewhat over-the-top histrionics of the other “villains,” Church puts forward a perpetual sense of quiet desperation and even–believe it or not–dignity. Brilliant job, I thought.
PAD
• 
PAD:
awesome you got to see SM3,
btw- we’re you in the Station of Penn at about 3pm yesterday ( logic would sa so since you were on your way to Tsquare )-
I almost ran into you and by the time I realized I was already down the stairs and too late to say “HeyPeterDavidcanyou signmyWWHulkandGunslingerBooksBecauseImgoingtomissthesigningatMTC????”
PAD:
awesome you got to see SM3,
btw- we’re you in the Station of Penn at about 3pm yesterday ( logic would sa so since you were on your way to Tsquare )-
I almost ran into you and by the time I realized I was already down the stairs and too late to say “HeyPeterDavidcanyou signmyWWHulkandGunslingerBooksBecauseImgoingtomissthesigningatMTC????”
d’oh- double post feel free to delete.
Got to theatre around 15 minutes before midnight and was glad that I bought my ticket weeks in advance. It was sold out (also glad I went by myself, it was much easier to find a good single seat than a pair)
The crowd was psyched for the film and responded positively for the the Shrek 3, Pirates and FF2 trailers. Yeah it was a pro comic crowd, but it was still nice to hear the audience react in a good way to the FF2 preview, especially with the overall response the first film got.
They recapped the first two films very well during the opening credits (no Alex Ross this time) so even if you missed the first two you could get the gist of the story.
As for the movie itself….
WOW. There’s A LOT packed into this 2.5 hour film! I mean A LOT! There are several down time scenes, but it never seemed to drag. Raimi kept the story moving very smoothly. Random trhoughts:
• The Sandman origin scene is awesome.
• Both “required” cameos are included (and very good)
• I liked the casting (though he doesn’t have much to do) of James Cromwell as Captain Stacy.
• Great J.J.J. scenes
• Tobey almost is too nerdy as Parker (nice how they introduced Gwen, though)
• There’s an awful convenient scene towards the end (well, IMO anyway) but I can see why it was there, with everything else going on they had no time!
• The preview words were correct on who the real villain was in this film. He’s quite an áššhølë!
Overall, I’d give it 3.75 out of 4. If this is indeed Raimi, McGuire & Dunst’s last film, he ends it quite nicely.
Now bring on FF2!!!!
I picked up tickets 10 days ago for a 5pm showing later today.
I’m sure I’ll love the film, but I’m also certain that I’m going to hate the excessive amount of mask removing that I expect to see. It’s really the only thing I hated about Spidey 2 (and I could’ve thrown up over the ‘Spidey as the Messiah’ crap in the subway/el car). It’s like it’s in McGuire’s contract that he has to have X amount of face time.
Hey, guess what? Spidey isn’t the FF, or most of the X-Men, and so on: he wear a freakin’ mask, so keep the dámņ thing on!
He loses his mask a lot. Pete should consider some sort of chin strap.
Even more repetitive was the crying. After the fifth time a character welled up the audience was just laughing at it.
On the plus side, 3 is both the darkest and funniest Spider-Man yet, and the effects/fight scenes are amazing.
Only wanted to yell at the screen twice; at the beginning, when Spidey apparently ignores people still in danger to bicker with Topher Grace (or else he saved the cute one and he’s good for the day), and at the end when he had an emotional moment with a bad guy while someone nearby really could have used some emergency medical assistance.
Excellent if flawed movie.
PAD,
Count your blessings that you didn’t have to rescue the screenplay for “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”. The novelization for this one indicates that it will be just as hideous as “Spider-Man 3” is good.
Peter,
Heidi made a posting yesterday that says she wants her name spelled correctly or else. I know you probably just made a typo, but she wants the world to know she is Scottish, not Irish.
Hey, guess what? Spidey isn’t the FF, or most of the X-Men, and so on: he wear a freakin’ mask, so keep the dámņ thing on!
Heh. I understand the sentiment.
On the other hand, you take away 90% of a film actor’s tools with a mask. There’s a definite media translation problem here which has not been satisfactory been solved…
On the other hand, you take away 90% of a film actor’s tools with a mask.
A good actor makes it work.
V For Vendetta wasn’t the best adaptation in the world, but Weaving did a great job in the role. And at every turn I was just waiting for V’s mask to come off… I mean, that’s what they do in movies with high-paid actors, right? 🙂
I got to see Spider-Man 3 at a very strange midnight showing: for a 10 dollar ticket, you got to see the flick at 12:01, prefaced by a pretty decent Italian buffet. (Great meatballs, passable pasta, decent pizza, greasy chicken and adequate salad. No spiders were evident in the preparation of this meal.)
The crowd was in a good mood, and the theater had been recently renovated, so the viewing experience was better than usual.
Overall, I liked the film. Bruce Campbell channelled his inner John Cleese quite nicely, and the Sandman’s new role in the killing of Uncle Ben still doesn’t let Peter off the hook for not stopping the thief.
Loved the ending battle with the Sandman. Neat “Where Monsters Dwell” 50’s vibe.
Didn’t care much for MJ’s attitude, life-changing exposition dropped into the plot almost randomly,
(“Oh, by the way, sir: I’ve seen a lot of things…”)and the criminal under-use of Topher Grace as Brock/Venom.
And where the heck does Peter stash those extra masks of his?
Best trilogy-ender since… ever! (“X3” limped to its conclusions, “Jedi” had Ewoks, and the less said about “Superman III,” the better.
Jeff, (movie)Peter has at least a dozen spare masks at any one time. It’s the only way that he can keep up his tendency to lose them at the drop of a hat. 😉
“Best trilogy-ender since… ever! (“X3” limped to its conclusions, “Jedi” had Ewoks, and the less said about “Superman III,” the better.”
I beg to differ: “Back to the Future III.” Totally fantastic conclusion to a trilogy. And certainly “Return of the King” is up there, although I don’t know if that “counts” since it was adapted.
PAD
How were the actors going to handle some of the dialogue that I felt was wince-worthy?
It wasn’t worse than the part of “Spider-Man 2” where Peter was trying to soothe a frustrated MJ by spontaneously reciting poetry to her, was it? That still makes me shudder, and I only listned to it once!
Richard J. Marcej said “Tobey almost is too nerdy as Parker”
Not having seen the film, I can’t comment on that point, and it’s been a while since I’ve read Spider-Man’s adventures with any regularity; but based on what I’ve read in the past, I’ve always had the impression that Peter Parker’s basic persona has remained unchanged, despite his abilities. In other words, if he had a tendency to be “nerdy” before the spider bite (and I think the term would probably have applied) he’d still have such tendencies post bite.
Would Peter Parker as Peter Parker be as sarcastic, flip, insulting and confrontational as he is when he’s operating as Spider-Man. My sense is no, he wouldn’t. Or at least not to the same degree. Sure, Peter has stood up to JJJ (and other adversaries) on occasion, and an adult Peter would likely be more willing to stand his ground than his teenage self would have; but when he’s Spidey, he can really cut loose.
Or could, before he revealed his identity to the world. Like I said, I’m not reading any current Spidey-related stories, but I have to wonder whether he’s as flip and in-your-face with JJJ now that JJJ knows who’s behind the mask.
The same question also applies to villains he fights. In an issue of the original What If…? series, (#30, if I remember correctly), entitled “What if Spider-Man’s Clone Had Lived?” the clone, believing himself to be the real Spidey, encounters the Kingpin. The Clone has no idea whom the Kingpin is, and when Kingpin warns that he’s not a patient man, the Clone responds,
“Yeah, I figured you for a patient, pal. Did the doctors let you out for the weekend?” It’s a typical Spidey-type quip, and one of my favorites, which is why I cited it. But would Spider-Man, whether he be the original or the Clone, have been so flip with this obviously dangerous individual if the Kingpin knew his name?
I don’t believe so. In the comics, Peter is married and relatively successful as a teacher and freelance photographer (assuming he’s still doing both or either). It’s a far cry from his beginnings, but even so, I think he’ll always have bouts of self-doubt. In some ways he’s like Captain Horatio Hornblower (a comparison that I hadn’t thought of until now). Even as Hornblower rose in rank and importance in the British Navy, he never quite lost his self-doubt and self criticism.
Peter portrayed as too nerdy in the film? Perhaps. I’ll have to see it and evaluate the performance; but again, my sense of the character has always been that Spidey’s mask has let Peter reveal a side of himself he’d likely have been reluctant to show if people knew it was him.
Rick
“How were the actors going to handle some of the dialogue that I felt was wince-worthy?”
Well, the audience that I just saw it with did laugh at some unintended places. I didn’t laugh at those, though. I thought they really crammed way to much in the film, but overall it was well done. I agree with what everyone has been saying about Thomas Haden Church – he was great.
I was surprised by some of the things done with Harry.
Neil
I knew “Return of the King” was going to trip me up on the “greatest trilogy-ender” post, but decided to ride out my current enthusiasm for Spidey 3.
Totally forgot about “Back to the Future.” D’oh!
What else did I miss?
Saw it today (and have Spidey 1 playing now) and thought it was great.
I wasn’t surprised when the first less-than-positive reviews started hitting. Really, it’s part of a well received, hugely successful franchise so I wasn’t surprised critics were gunning for the third movie.
The worst I’ll say about it now is that it could’ve used a more upbeat “goodbye” at the end. As it is, a lot of the movie and the ending is so somber I suspect that’ll affect a lot of people’s feelings that the the movie isn’t as “good” as the others.
As for Venom losing his ‘mask’ so often, I actually thought that was a good idea. Let’s face it, Venom looked a bit… odd when he was talking, so it only made sense to keep the really long speeches coming out of Eddie’s mouth.
Saw it last night and thought it was awesome. The cameos (I’m so sure that I even spotted the kid who plays Colossus in the first crowd shot of the final battle… maybe I’m just seeing things) were excellent, probably my favorite. I turned to my friend at one point and said “Win, dude. Fûçkìņg win.” Because it was. It was excellent.
I did get rather sick of the unmaskings of Spidey, Venom didn’t quite bug me as much. I mean, Spiderman is all about the hidden identity, Venom’s different. And seeing Topher Grace with that mouth full of teeth, awesome!
And speaking of Grace, I was really wondering how he’d manage the roll, when the major stuff that he’s been in have always cast him as a geek. Well, suffice to say it was amusing and well-played, but he was definitely still the type-cast geeky guy. It worked well for the flick, but I still want to see more shades from him.
Probably the worst part about the movie was the lack of kids and teens dressed in Spidey related garb, I’m a sucker for audience participation related shananigans.
I loved it. Can’t wait to see it again.
Saw the film at an 11 a.m. showing this morning and enjoyed it as best one could when surrounded by little pools of light from all the people checking their cell phones every 30 seconds. Just a few thoughts for whatever they’re worth:
Is Ursula the Russian girl from across the hall the most annoying character ever? Why does she get so much screen time?
I know this is taboo to say, but is anybody else getting tired of the obligatory Stan Lee cameo? I can sort of handle the Bruce Campbell character appearances, because at least they’re entertaining, but the Lee cameos pull me right out of the movie. I wish filmmakers would follow the lead of Alfred Hitchcock who realized his cameos were getting too distracting and got them over with in the first minute or two.
Wouldn’t the owner of the jazz club be a bit peeved when Peter showed up again later in the film?
I thought the relationship stuff in the first hour was a bit too contrived- why wouldn’t MJ have told Peter about what happens in the play for example? Oh, of course, we have to stack the deck against them to foster the rift.
Overall, SM3 was pretty dámņ cool, although I think it could have been even leaner and meaner with about 10-15 minutes trimmed out of it. I thought the Sandman was superbly realized, although I’ve never been a big Venom fan. Having said that, the filmmakers had a tough hill to climb, because once they decided to use the character, they basically had to get rid of a ton of annoying comic book continuity going all the way back to Jim Shooter’s dreadful Secret Wars.
By the way, I haven’t read the novelization, so I’d be very interested in the now-revised ending, unless of course it would still spoil anybody’s enjoyment of the film.
Finally I agree with the previous poster about the upcoming FF2 film. I can’t help thinking that where Sony pretty much gets almost everything right with their Spidey franchise, Fox really doesn’t seem to have a clue with FF. They’ve basically now stopped Doug Jones from doing interviews about his work as the Silver Surfer, and the folks at Spectral Motion (who created the look for Jones’s Abe Sapien in Hellboy) are contractually forbidden to even acknowledge that they did any work on FF2. I’m not quite sure why Fox thinks it’s more sensible to convince people that the Surfer is an entirely digital creation, but these are the folks who have reportedly replaced Galactus, one of the most visually striking characters in the Marvel Universe, with a sentient clous. Needless to say, I won’t exactly be waiting on line for this one.
“these are the folks who have reportedly replaced Galactus, one of the most visually striking characters in the Marvel Universe, with a sentient clous”
I presume that is a “cloud”, but that better be an incorrect report. Maybe it is only thought to be a cloud. I can’t see them doing the Surfer/Galactus story in one film. I would think that Rise of the Silver Surfer would end with the arrival of Galactus and then we would have another film with the battle against Galactus.
Neil
ArcLight said:
“I wasn’t surprised when the first less-than-positive reviews started hitting. Really, it’s part of a well received, hugely successful franchise so I wasn’t surprised critics were gunning for the third movie.”
That’s what I thought before I saw it. It wasn’t “Hulk” bad or anything, and certainly not “Blade: Trinity” bad, but overall, I thought it was very underwhelming.
Loved the first two, really wanted to like this one. I liked some bits of it (Thomas Hayden Church was great) but the dramatic scenes were flat, the action scenes weren’t as good as in the last film, a solid cast was kinda squandered.
Either the script needed another rewrite or two, or the film needed 15-30 minutes cut out of it, or both, IMHO.
Worst bit: someone saying something that would have saved everyone a lot of grief two movies ago.
Best bit: The Sandman’s origin scene.
Apologies for the negativity. If y’all dig the movie, cool. Just not seeing it.
Forgot to add, there were two things I did like toward the end.
One I can’t describe without spoilers, but it’s something we haven’t really seen in a superohero movie before, certainly not in the current cycle.
The other was that the final scene was kind of a nice, understated ending. Not as great as the last shot of Spidey 2, but not a bad way to go out.
Maybe it is only thought to be a cloud. I can’t see them doing the Surfer/Galactus story in one film. I would think that Rise of the Silver Surfer would end with the arrival of Galactus and then we would have another film with the battle against Galactus.
I think the feeling is that there is no way they can make a guy in a big purple suit look good. They are, of course, wrong, but I don’t know that Tim Story can pull it off and they might be better off going with V’ger.
I’m hoping you’re right and FF3 has the actual Big G show.
Hey PAD, could you maybe set up a CHOCK FULL O’SPOILERS thread so we could discuss some of the points we don’t want to ruin for anyone who doesn’t see it this week? (Though I don’t know how many there are–I think everyone in my town was at the movies tonight).
You got it just right about Church; dignity. Great portrayal. Bring him back for the Sinister 6! I also liked the almost Godzilla-like score they used for Sandman’s bigger moments.
Bill, how many of the Sinister Six will be around? They seem to be burning through them pretty quickly.
I know this is taboo to say, but is anybody else getting tired of the obligatory Stan Lee cameo?
C’mon, are you telling me you didn’t love hearing Stan say “‘Nuff said!”!? 🙂
I really enjoyed the movie, even for all its faults (and there were probably more in this film than the first two).
It did suffer much the same way X3 did: too many things going on, but it pulled it off much better than X3 did.
Yeah, dámņ, is it a freaking LAW that every Spiderman movie has to KILL the villain? Ok, Goblin had to go. Doc Ock didn’t…except that they (of course) had him know who Spidey was. Though it would probably take a nuclear strike on New York City to kill everyone who knows his secret identity at this point.
So…anyway, the sinister 6. We’ll have one character from this movie (identity hidden to prevent spoilers). Electro. Mysterio (played by Bruce!!!)….ok that’s 3…
Kraven the Hunter…get some big UFC Russian for that one. Um…The Vulture! Sure, he’s stupid as all get out but that’s the point. Patrick Stewart?
And finally…the 6th member…well, I’d probably make it like the drummer for Spinal Tap, the one who keeps getting replaced when he gets killed or jailed. Scorpion, Paste Pot Pete (a thrilling 1 minute membership), Shocker, Hydro-man, Chameleon, those kind of guys. Then Carnage shows up and absorbs the other 5 and…hey! Get back here! This is pure gold!
roger Tang: On the other hand, you take away 90% of a film actor’s tools with a mask. There’s a definite media translation problem here which has not been satisfactory been solved…
Remember the long scene on the rooftop when Goblin is trying to convince Spidey they are special and should rule the world (“as father and son” I suppose)? One long dialog-laden scene with two guys who have static masks.
That’s why they ended up having Goblin’s eye lenses open up. Gotta give the actors SOME chance to emote.
I can’t believe I’m only one that is upset about Uncle Ben getting shot by the Sandman. That part of the story just ruined the movie for me! Now when I watch the first Spider-Man it won’t have the same impact!
As for Stan Lee cameo, it was great! My son and I always look forward to seeing his part in a Marvel movie.
I saw this movie tonight and liked it a lot. Like just about everyone’s saying, Thomas Hayden Church was fantastic as Sandman. Topher Grace? I wasn’t sure about him going in. But he certainly pulled it off,possibly by being eerily similar to Tobey. The Venom costume too was really awesome.
I liked Stan’s cameo and loved Bruce’s. However, the movie could have used two more. Eliza Dushku and Simon Cowell. The former because the fans would have loved it. Possibly put her in the restaurant with Bruce just because it would have been awesome to have them in the same scene. The latter because Kirsten Dunst simply cannot sing! I kept hoping for somebody to tell her this fact.
“Wouldn’t the owner of the jazz club be a bit peeved when Peter showed up again later in the film?”
I addressed that in the book, actually.
“I thought the relationship stuff in the first hour was a bit too contrived- why wouldn’t MJ have told Peter about what happens in the play for example?”
That, too.
“By the way, I haven’t read the novelization,”
Kind of figured that.
“so I’d be very interested in the now-revised ending, unless of course it would still spoil anybody’s enjoyment of the film.”
Well, yeah, it would. Fortunately, you can always buy the novelization and find out for yourself.
PAD
“I think the feeling is that there is no way they can make a guy in a big purple suit look good.”
I think “Ghostbusters” has pretty much ruined for all time the sight of a giant humanoid stomping through the streets of New York City.
PAD
“Um…The Vulture! Sure, he’s stupid as all get out but that’s the point. Patrick Stewart?”
Ben Kingsley, actually. My understanding is that early discussions considered the Vulture as a villain and Ben Kingsley was going to be tapped for it.
In terms of spoilers, let’s wait a week, okay?
PAD
loved it man – totally groovy. from Stan & Bruce cameos to Topher pulling of being a jerk to Church’s sandman to Tobey’s nerdiness – great big old fun superhero movie.
Only thing that i didn’t like had to do with the “inappropriate laughter in audience” bits – can i ask with out it being a spoiler – have we not got past the point in our society where a man can cry without people thinking he’s a sissy?
*sigh*
ah well – hëll with them – this was a great flick!
loved it man – totally groovy. from Stan & Bruce cameos to Topher pulling of being a jerk to Church’s sandman to Tobey’s nerdiness – great big old fun superhero movie.
Only thing that i didn’t like had to do with the “inappropriate laughter in audience” bits – can i ask with out it being a spoiler – have we not got past the point in our society where a man can cry without people thinking he’s a sissy?
*sigh*
ah well – hëll with them – this was a great flick!
loved it man – totally groovy. from Stan & Bruce cameos to Topher pulling of being a jerk to Church’s sandman to Tobey’s nerdiness – great big old fun superhero movie.
Only thing that i didn’t like had to do with the “inappropriate laughter in audience” bits – can i ask with out it being a spoiler – have we not got past the point in our society where a man can cry without people thinking he’s a sissy?
*sigh*
ah well – hëll with them – this was a great flick!
What a smashing idea! Bruce Campbell as Mysterio! Spidey 4, here we come!
Okay Peter, you sold me, I’ll swing by B&N this afternoon.
And Sean, you put your finger on the one scene that drove me crazy in the first movie: a static scene between two guys with their faces covered- there’s good drama! Considering the guys at ADI sculpted a gorgeous old-school Goblin mask that was ultimately never used, and Willem actually had the perfect face for the Goblin, I always thought that was one of the worst decisions ever made- until I saw the ‘mask’ in this film, that is.
I have to agree with you about reading the novellisation after watching the movie.
I’d read the book about two weeks ago and saw the movie this tuesday and to me it felt like the movie was missing pieces, cause I remembered loving them in the book.
Kudos on a great novellisation.
Ben Kingsley, actually. My understanding is that early discussions considered the Vulture as a villain and Ben Kingsley was going to be tapped for it.
Oh, that’s nice. I could totally see that. And after being in an Uwe Boll movie ANYTHING would be a major step up. Even being the Vulture. Or Stiltman. Or the Hypno-Hustler. Or…
In terms of spoilers, let’s wait a week, okay?
Fair enough, sir.
Only thing that i didn’t like had to do with the “inappropriate laughter in audience” bits – can i ask with out it being a spoiler – have we not got past the point in our society where a man can cry without people thinking he’s a sissy?
A good point but there were more tears than a Debra Winger movie with hobbits. After a while it doesn’t register. The saddest part of the movie to me was during Sandman’s origin–you’ll know it when you see it. (BTW, that sequence rocked).
I think “Ghostbusters” has pretty much ruined for all time the sight of a giant humanoid stomping through the streets of New York City.
So that’s what was wrong with Godzilla… 😀
I hadn’t seen it mentioned anywhere, but it’s worth saying: once again, Rosemary Harris as Aunt May was the soul of the movie.
Saw the movie last night with my wife and kids and we all thought the movie was great.
I have to admit I was a bit nervous after seeing all the action figures at Target. I was hoping they wouldnt try and fit all those villians in the movie.
Hey Peter..Did you make a cameo?
I hear the Vulture is a bird who goes to the sea for his salt.
OK, finally saw it myself and, well, three words: Butler ex machina.
Or maybe “Unbelievable character transformations”, and I don’t mean the physical kind.
But probably the best three-word summary is “Mel. O. Drama.”
Also had the audience laughter at an inappropriate point. Not a good sign. And the newscasters…oy! This was a good story that barely avoided being totally ruined by the writing…
If this had been the first Spider-Man film, I probably would have dug it. But following the first two, which I thought were great, this one felt like a huge letdown.
Too much MJ, not enough Venom, and Spider-Man removing his mask every ten seconds really got to be a distraction. And three villains were really just one too many.
Also, not really a criticism of the film, but I found myself thinking that if they had it to do all over again, Topher Grace would have made a better Peter Parker than Maguire.
Was Harry Osborn’s butler Steve Ditko, by any chance?
And the newscasters…oy! This was a good story that barely avoided being totally ruined by the writing…
I HATED the newscasters. They were terrible. How Raimi can be so great at casting most parts of his movies and then choose such awful actors…Katie Couric could beat these guys in the ratings.
Actually, I’m not a big fan of the whole “crowds of ordinary people cheer on Spidey” bits. Sandman is going all Godzilla on a building and a crowd is standing there watching it? My ášš! It also takes something away from the element of danger when pre-teens don’t seem to be the slightest bit in peril as 3 or 4 meta-humans are smashing real estate.
But any possibility of suspension of disbelief got hit hard when Hal Fishman came on. “Is this the end of Spiderman?” he intones. IMDB says he is one of the inspirations for The Simpson’s Kent Brockman. And someone thought this was a good thing?
On the other hand, you take away 90% of a film actor’s tools with a mask.
A good actor makes it work.
V For Vendetta wasn’t the best adaptation in the world, but Weaving did a great job in the role. And at every turn I was just waiting for V’s mask to come off… I mean, that’s what they do in movies with high-paid actors, right? 🙂
Weaving also had the advantage of having a mask that isn’t completely featureless like Maguire’s. V’s mask may have a fixed expression, but at least it had a face — one that could somewhat emote with proper camerawork and lighting.
Oh, and I could easily see how the ending could have turned the schmaltz dial to 13. Good call not to.
I thought it was awful. Like, Batman and Robin awful. It was so bad in so many different ways that at times I thought they had to be consciously trying to make it as bad as possible. It made Superman III look good.
I laughed a lot, at moments that I’m pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to be laughing. I laughed when Peter brushed his hair forward (that’s what makes him EVIL! Rather like the two “D”s in “Fredd,” except it’s not SUPPOSED to be funny). I laughed even more when they showed Harry painting a friggin’ still life(!), so we know he’s sensitive and stuff now. I laughed when Spidey ran in front of a huge American flag. I laughed at the entire butler scene, which was just wrong in so many ways. And there were lots of other such risible moments.
And I’m sorry, but the Stan Lee cameo was just embarrassing, it was so poorly written and acted. It reminded me of an episode of Murphy Brown, in which Murphy had a cameo in a TV show, and all she had to do was walk through a door and say a line, but she couldn’t even accomplish that much.