DVD Release Date:  October 30, 2007
Theatrical Release Date:  May 4, 2007
Rating:  PG-13 (for sequences of intense of action violence)
Genre:  Action/Adventure
Run Time:  140 min.
Director:  Sam Raimi
Actors:  Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Hayden Church, Topher Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, James Cromwell

Swinging into theaters on taut webs of anticipation comes Spider-Man 3, the leadoff hitter in an ‘07 summer movie lineup of sequels and “three-quels” guaranteed to astound and amaze. Those who enter the theater with their $9 bucket of popcorn looking to be wowed by heretofore unseen action sequences won’t go home disappointed. Those who are looking for more of the poignant storytelling of the first two films, which blended character growth and deeper philosophical themes with Peter Parker’s adventures, may be dissatisfied.

Unlike in the first two films, Peter Parker a.k.a. Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire), is at the top of the world. Gone is the awkward kid pining away in unrequited love. The citizens of New York love him and his heroics. His high school sweetheart Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst), knows his secret identity and still loves him. And after a dizzying aerial battle through the city, his hate-filled former best friend Harry (James Franco) is left with amnesia. Not remembering the animosity between them, Harry is once again best buddies with Peter.

Unfortunately, Peter’s fame and good fortune begins to go to his head a little bit, much to the chagrin of his girlfriend. Fired from her job in a Broadway musical, Mary Jane must both endure Spider-Man’s new found fame, and Peter’s growing ego. Jealousy brews when Peter rescues the beautiful Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard), daughter of the city’s chief of police, from a crumbling skyscraper and in a ceremony to honor Spider-Man is overly affectionate with him. Little does Mary Jane know that things will soon go from bad to worse.

As ever, Peter wrestles with his own demons. In a scene that looks like the opening of the movie The Blob, or any 1950s “B” science fiction film, meteorite falls from the sky and lands in the park where Peter and Mary Jane are on a date. Unbeknownst to the pair, a mysterious black goop leaks out of it, crawls over to Peter’s motor-scooter and takes a ride home.  The ominous mass soon binds itself to Peter’s Spidey suit, enhancing his “spider-powers,” but also bringing out his dark side. Peter’s ego grows, fed by the new “black-goop-infused” outfit, changing him into a mean and arrogant version of his former happy-go-lucky self. Spider-Man now has a vicious side as he battles his villains. Peter begins to strut around town like John Travolta in Staying Alive.