Why “Spiderman 3” is a Great Film

Critically, “Spiderman 3” was fairly well received. However, the masses have shunned the movie as the worst of the three. However, this is an extremely strong movie, and that if one were to take a closer look at the film, they would find it applies most to the human condition than the other two Spidey films.

This third installment is the darkest of the three. When the alien goo infects Peter Parker, his dark tendencies come out. This was explored well as the dark Spiderman fought crime in a way that the real Spiderman would not. The dark Spiderman is cruel, takes pleasure in causing pain to others, and revels in revenge. The real Spiderman is concerned for the welfare of even those he brings to justice. The filmmakers had to find a way to lighten the mood of the film, because Parker becomes evil for part of the story. Hence Peter’s ridiculous behavior as he finds "self confidence" in his new identity. Isn't this corniness the way we act when we are full of ourselves? Don’t we act the same way at times when we think we are better than others? The humor and awkwardness of Parker as he struts his stuff is a mirror of how we can act at times. This may have hit a bit close to home for some, and criticism of the film arises because of this. The inner battle between the good Spiderman and the evil dark Spiderman was well done in the film and well portrayed by Toby Maguire.

Later in the film, Venom is obviously portrayed as the antithesis of Spiderman. This is who Spiderman could have become if he had continued down the path of selfishness and power that the alien goo had imposed on Parker. He is the darkest bad guy in the Spiderman story, and for good reason. He has the same powers that Spiderman does, but uses them for evil. Not only does Spiderman have to fight himself early in the film, now he has to fight his evil doppelganger at the end. Not only that, but he has to fight his best friend Harry as the new Goblin (as well as the Sand Man. Where did this guy come from, and why is he in the film?). The complexities that he has to deal with had to have some sort of comical relief at times, or we wouldn't have had a sense of hope and identify with the struggles that our hero must face. We can all identify with Parker's struggle that was in the film.