There seems to be a passionate hatred of the film Spider-Man 3 across the board. I think this conclusion is unfair because the movie is better than many people realize and I want to spend some time relaying why.
Before I do, let me state clearly, for the record, that I’m not blind to the obvious flaws in this movie. I could easily write a blog entitled "Six things I loathe about Spider-Man 3" as well. For example, why is Peter, under the influence of the black suit, so enamored with dancing? In one scene, he dances while simply walking down the street alone. The black suit makes Peter more violent and angry, not a “Dancing with the Stars” reject. So I’m not suggesting that this movie doesn’t have any issues. But I also think it is underrated, and I want to give some reasons as to why.
#1: The “birth” of Sandman scene
In the early stages of the film, Flint Marko is running from the cops. As he does so, he apparently doesn’t read or notice the sign that warns, “Particle physics test facility: keep out”. Marko falls into a pit of sand. The employees at the test facility run the test, not realizing a human being is inside the test site. So the result is that sand around Marko merged into his body, turning him into the Sandman.
We are then treated to a great scene of Sandman taking shape. He starts with a few grains of sand, and he tries to keep his new body together, only to have it fall apart. He continues to struggle; eventually he sees a locket of his daughter, so he fights harder to maintain control of his new form. He summons his new sand existence to form a hand, so he can grab the locket, only to have it break apart, but he persists and is finally able to grab the prized possession. Next, he morphs sand into legs so he can walk. Like a baby’s first step, he struggles to walk at first, but is eventually able to do so. It’s a visually stunning scene. I tried my best to articulate it in word form, but a picture is worth a thousand words on this one. Check out this scene, if you can.
#2: The wisdom of Aunt May
Every scene that includes Aunt May is an absolute gem. In one scene, Peter wants to propose to Mary Jane, and he goes to May’s house for her blessing. Aunt May is pleased at this news (and she even gives Peter the engagement ring that she wore when she was engaged to Ben Parker, Peter’s uncle). But she cautions Peter with these words: “A man has to be understanding and put his wife before himself.” This is so true, and it is not usually mentioned in a Hollywood movie.
Another memorable scene is after Spider-Man – while under the control of an alien symbiote that makes Peter darker and more violent – has attempted to kill Sandman (alias Flint Marko). He did this after finding out that Flint Marko was the one who murdered his Uncle Ben. Sandman isn’t dead, but Peter thinks he killed him. He goes to May to report (more like gloat) that Spider-Man killed Sandman. Aunt May is surprised that Spider-Man would kill anyone. Peter says, “But, Aunt May, he killed Uncle Ben.” “Uncle Ben meant the world to us,” May replies. “But he wouldn’t want us living one second with revenge in our hearts. It’s like a poison. It can take you over. Before you know it, it turns us into something ugly.” She is spot on. Unfortunately, Peter doesn’t have ears to hear her message at this point.
#3: The bell tower scene
Let me set the context of this scene: Peter has finally come to his senses. He sees how the black alien suit has altered his personality. Humbled, he runs outside into the rain. Then he hears a bell ringing at a church. He decides to go to this church. Peter goes into the bell tower. The bell starts to chime again, and the black alien suit Peter is wearing literally reacts to the loud noise by shrieking. Thus Peter learns that loud noise is a weakness of the symbiotic suit; this is his chance of freedom from the suit that he craves. He fights and fights to get the suit off, but the symbiote wants to remain with Peter because it craves the power that he has. Peter gradually begins to tears the symbiote off of him in pieces. Ultimately he is liberated.
Meanwhile, Eddie Brock, Peter’s rival at the Daily Bugle, is at the same church. He selfishly prays for God to kill Peter Parker for costing him his job at the Bugle. Brock notices Peter struggling to get the black suit off. In a dazzling scene, the symbiote, feeling Brock’s hatred for Peter – the one who just rejected the suit – begins to envelop Eddie. At first Eddie is frightened, but he quickly embraces it; he smiles a sinister grin. The suit completely bonds with Eddie, and a new villain is born by uttering a terrifying scream into the camera. Spider-Man’s greatest villain has emerged: Venom. What a great scene! Once again, it’s better to see all this rather than to have me describe it in word form. But I hope I’ve at least whetted your appetite.
To be continued!
Kevin
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