Spiderman 3 And The Neighborhood

Warning. Some spoilers in this review of Spider-Man 3. I know that for other countries like the US, the official showing date is May 4. Here in Singapore, it's earlier. I had a chance to screen the most awaited summer movie of the year.

There's much to be compared with this third installment against the first and the second. The good: better special effects and far more vertigo inducing scenes than the previous movies. Let's see - there are around one, two, three, four, five battle scenes between Spider-Man and three new villains (Sandman, Green Goblin Jr., and Venom). I could say the final battle scene is akin to a tag team wrestling match between the good and the bad guys of the film (ok, without saying much here, pick among the three whom Spidey teamed up with). The entire plot of the film revolves around Peter Parker getting a taste of the dark side (ala Star War's Anakin Skywalker turning to the dark force). Moreover, here you see Peter becoming bloated with ego (loved by his Spider-Man fans) and drowning in wrathful vengeance (against the killer of his uncle). Without knowing it, he's slowly pushing his beloved Mary Jean away from him.

The bad (and annoying): I was hoping that Peter's sinking into the dark side would make him look sinister and cold, a total opposite of his dorky good side. But no, midway into the movie Peter began to show his laughable street moves to surprised New Yorker women. It's more like a joke when you see Parker doing his funky dance moves in the night club, instead of seeing him seriously relishing his dark personality (thanks to the alien symbiotic costume). Either I could remember myself chuckling in my seat at these scenes or was shaking my head in utter disbelief.

Also, if you like to watch "part three" movies cramped with different plot lines, mindless action scenes, overdone "ladies falling from skyscrapers" scenes, or more than one villain to ruin our hero’s lives, then by all means buy your tickets now and enjoy the film. Actually, I did enjoy the movie. It is far better than parts 1 and 2 in terms of CGI effects and action scenes. But looking beyond these, I would have to agree with a part of Gonzalez's review (third paragraph) which makes Spider-Man 2's story better than the current. But unlike Gonzalez who rated the movie 2 out of four, I would rate this movie 4 out of 5. Only that Spider-Man 2 ranks higher, as in 4.5 out of 5.

Fast (spoiler) facts: 1) Someone dear to Parker died in the movie. 2) A new hottie ruins the relationship between Parker and MJ. 3) Stan Lee cameo again (delivering a memorable quote) 4) Bruce Campbell cameo again (this time as a French waiter; oui?)

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Here are some pictures around the neighborhood:

Food offerings to the gods or spirits

Potted plant decorated with trimmings

High flats