It was a good movie, but I kind of have mixed feelings about some of the plot elements, etc.
If you have not yet seen the movie and do not want any spoilers, don't read any more of this until another bold-faced message says otherwise. I would hate to spoil the movie for anyone, but I also would like to discuss the film with anyon who is interested in the same key points. Making Marko responsible for Ben Parker's death takes away from the themes, I think. The entire reason Peter became Spider-Man was by obligation to Ben and society because he believed himself to be responsible for his uncle's death. Power and responsibility. Church's portrayal and delivery for the character (still referring to the Sandman) was good, however, and I love that they used the classic green striped shirt. Also, Gwen seemed a little--just a little--mischaracterized, and I didn't enjoy the fact that Peter, in the movie, really only used her to make Mary Jane jealous. In the comics, Gwen was his true love. And the symbiote isn't really... symbiotic in the movie--I guess to go with the theme of "fighting ones inner darkness" they decided that in the movie it one only amplify the host's aggression. As someone said earlier, Venom was completely wasted in the movie (come on, filmmakers, why do always have to kill the villains?!). Still, they didn't give Brock or Venom nearly enough screen time, and both of their personalities are very different from the comics--Venom, in the comics, was out to protect the innocent and punish whomever he thought was guilty. Still, Topher Grace was pretty good as this new pompous, arrogant, insecure Brock/Venom. But the New Goblin. I suppose the filmmakers were trying to compromise between, you know, Harry as the Green Goblin and the Ultimate version in which he becomes the Hobgoblin, but Harry's alter ego was completely unprecedented, and I might have to see the film a second time before I can make a final judgment. Did anyone else notice that the score was noticably worse? Can you believe that Danny Elfman didn't write it? I had never even heard of this Christopher Young fellow before this movie, but his music... just wasn't the same. I guess I've kind of been a fan of Elfman since I saw the first Spider-Man movie, so maybe it's just some kind of emotional attachment I have. (If anyone's interested in the story behind the composer change--which I doubt anyone will be--here it is: http://www.moviehole.net/news/6250.html) Spoilers end here. I repeat, the spoilers are over. I have finished writing spoilers in this forum post.
So anyway, the movie is definitely worth seeing for anyone reading this who has not. If anyone wants to discuss this further (and/or argue with me) I'm more than ready to answer on this thread or via private message.
As to the question of which Spider-Man film is my favorite, I guess I'd have to say the first one. The second is almost equally good, but the fact that everyone and his brother knows Spidey's identity by the end makes it a little worse.
