Re-evaluating Spider-Man 3

From a visual, story, villain and science (I use the term loosely) point of view Raimi is honing into a particular era of Spiderman comics. An era before alien symbiotes and parallel dimensions existed in Spiderman. From that point of view Venom was out of place.
 
I was really annoyed when I saw this film in the cinema because I really loved Spidey 1 and 2, but 3 smelt of kitchen-sink approach. For God's sake, why didn't they leave it at Venom, and get rid of Sandman (the visual effect quota was well and truly reached in that film!) ? I can't say I ever read the comic books, but did grow up watching the cartoons (poor substitute, I know) but can say that Venom was always a great villain. Interested to know who will be the baddie in no.4, unless it has already been decided? (Theoretically, I would love The Insidious 6 to be in it, but then the film may suffer once again from overkill. Shame.)
 
I preferred Sandman to be honest. Venom was a bit one note for me. I'd have liked them to have focussed on the Sandman and removed Venom.

I still enjoy the film, but it definitely needed some serious trimming. Not least of all the embarrassing dancing bits! There's still a lot of comic book fun to be had, but it certainly feels as though the director Sam Raimi was forced into this one. I couldn't believe it when I read that he was going to do a fourth.
 
Spiderman had the Green Goblin
Spiderman 2 had Doctor Octopus
Spiderman 3 should have focused on Sandman

Having 3 "baddies" was just massive overkill, which left no time for character development.

Then have Venom in Spidey 4. Though it could be argued that Venom's storyline is too long and complex to ever be fitted convincingly into the movieverse so maybe stick with Green Goblin, Vulture, Electro, OR Lizardman

Comicbook adaptations repeatedly made this meistake, of putting more than one villain in a film, a trend started by Batman Returns (the only film to have really managed more than one main villain).
 
I enjoyed it but it wasnt as good as Spiderman 1 and 2. Taken on its own terms, its not a bad film at all. The Alien Costume is an excellent 2 parter cartoon episode, the problem is the film crammed too much in IMO. You have the New Goblin, Venom, Sandman, Stacey, evil black stuff that turns Peter into an emo (obviously played for laughs) and some other crap.. and then theres some guff about Sandman's daughter... it was entertaining at the cinema, I enjoyed it! :) It just seemed a letdown after the first 2 films (and the brilliant Spiderman 3 trailer).
 
Nolan's Batman did it twice, fairly successfullly.
(Rhas Al Ghul/Scarecrow & Joker/Harvey Dent)

Superman II did it well (ish)

Meanwhile Superman Returns needed a second villain!
 
I just stumbled across this thread after just finishing watching Spider Man 3. I have watched all the films this week and have both versions of Spiderman 2 on DVD. I loved this film. OK perhaps Spider Man 2 was better in some respects but I really enjoyed the 3rd installment, and had my home cinema on really loud when watching it

I've never been a fan of Superman but I do like the Batman films. I wouldn't say I was one of the biggest superhero film fanatics, so perhaps I have a different perspective on this film
 
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