I just got back from a midnight showing of Spider-Man 3. It’s very good and a lot of fun to watch. I recommend it.
But… (You sensed there was a “but” coming, didn’t you?)
***Minor spoiler for people who haven’t seen the ads or the first two movies ***
While it does a pretty good job of weaving the multiple villains into the plot, ultimately it means that the villains — particularly Venom — are not as well-developed as the villains in the first two Spider-Man movies. (Venom doesn’t even get named!)
I’m not sure why the makers of comic book movie sequels get the urge to start throwing multiple villains into the mix. Would the first Spider-Man have been a better movie if they’d had another villain along with the Goblin? No. Would the second have been a better movie if they’d had another villain along with Doctor Octopus? No.
So why would the third movie be better with Sandman and Venom and the new Goblin?
Sigh.
Don’t get me wrong — the movie is still worth seeing. I just wish it would have focused on one villain.