Spider-Man 3

What was great about Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 was that these two films were as much about Peter Parker as the superhero. As Spider-Man realised his powers and, yes, his responsibilities, Peter too grew up in front of our eyes. From a shy, timid teenager mocked at school to a shy, mature man learning to earn respect.

By the third film, the hard work has been done. New York loves its friendly neighbourhood superhero, Peter is doing well in his classes, he no longer has to deliver pizzas for a living, and even Mary Jane loves him for who he is 8212; a Peter in Spider-Man skin.

Where does Spider-Man go from here? Sam Raimi, who has directed all the three Spider-Mans and is in talks for the fourth, gets it right. Don8217;t forget that he landed the job because he told the producers he wanted to tell the story of Peter Parker, and he and his co-scriptwriter brother Ivan Raimi now take 8220;the boy from Queens8221; to the next level in any superhero8217;s life, which is rarely seen: hubris.

From self-doubt to self-discovery to self-centredness. Is it too hard to think that Spider-Man, not descended from outer space but one of us, could be headed this way? That when he finds himself rejected or defeated this time, for whatever reason, he will think he doesn8217;t need anyone to set it right? That he knows best, can do little wrong? That people deserve what Spider-Man decides for them? That if the city worships him, maybe, just maybe, he is close to god?

What is sad is that since the largest audience of all superheroes is obviously the children, Raimi has to introduce slimy goo from outer space to explain the sudden change in Spider-Man8217;s personality. So there is a dark substance that takes him over one night, when he is subsumed by feelings of vengeance, and even his suit turns black. It may be easy to dismiss this as cheesy, but Raimi perhaps had no choice if he wanted to get across to the younger fans.

Coming to the other criticism levelled at this film 8212; that it has too many villains 8212; try explaining this to a six-year-old who has been waiting for Spider-Man 3 since 2004 when Spider-Man 2 was released: 8220;Next summer, the greatest battle lies, within.8221; Trust me, I know. He/she wants the Sandman, the Venom, the return of the Green Goblin, the fights, the works.

In fact, contrary to the previous two ventures, Spider-Man 3 has fewer special effects. The opening fight between Peter and his friend Harry Osborn as Green Goblin Jr is almost funny. Until you think that Harry has always aspired to be his father, the mad genius Norman Osborn, and as someone who was never as good as his Dad wanted him to be, this is perhaps the best Harry could do.

The effects for the finale are none too great either. Mary Jane is again hanging by a thread and a butler with a ridiculous secret 8212; one he has inexplicably kept to himself for so long 8212; holds the key to who wins.

However, you can forgive these trangressions for the real fight 8212; which is Peter fighting the ghosts within. The sequence at the restaurant where he has everything set up to propose to Mary Jane is a case in point. Here is what Peter has wanted all his life in front of him, and then he lets Spider-Man come in the way.

As Peter says, 8220;Everyone has the power to choose. It8217;s our choices that make us who we are.8221;

Even if this was the finale with which Raimi, Maguire and Spider-Man took their bows as was initially talked about, it would have been great. As things stand, bring on the fourth.