Spider-Man 3 (2007) Rated PG13 Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and Thomas Haden Church Rating: out of

This time around, Spider-Man is given two enemies to combat. First, there's Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), who is created when Flint Marko, a thug who may be tied to the death of Peter's uncle, accidentally finds himself in the middle of a particle physics experiment. Then there's Venom, created from a mysterious black substance that oozes out of a meteorite.

If two super-enemies weren't enough, Parker also finds his relationship with Mary Jane threatened by the return of Harry Osborn (James Franco), who is still trying to avenge the death of his father, who he believes was killed by Spider-Man. Since Harry now knows that Parker and Spidey are one and the same, he steps into his father's shoes as an upgraded version of the Green Gobln and tries to kill Parker. When that doesn't work, he tries to move in on Mary Jane.

The black substance from space manages to further complicate things by attaching to the Spider-Man suit. The goo enhances certain elements of Peter's personality and magnifies his frustration, creating an unpleasant "emo" version of Parker and an angry hell-bent-on-revenge version of Spider-Man.

While entertaining, Spider-Man 3 is unfocused and almost meandering when compared to the first two films. There are just too many plot elements introduced into the mix. The script seems to haphazardly throw in ideas that -- if given the attention they deserve -- could have easily been stretched into two complete films instead of becoming the uneven mess that Spider-Man 3 threatens to become at around the two hour mark. As a result, the origin and motivation of Sandman, which could have inspired some pathos in the viewer if given more attention, is relatively ho-hum. Venom, who is worthy of an entire film as the sole villain, just seems to spring out of nowhere after percolating as a symbiote for two hours.

If you think I didn't like Spider-Man 3, you'd be incorrect. Topher Grace and Bryce Dallas Howard, as new characters Eddie Brock and Gwen Stacy respectively, are great additions to the series. The special effects and the comedic bits work quite well. The transformation of Peter Parker into an emo Leisure Suit Larry is as ridiculous and funny as it sounds. The fight scenes between Sandman and Spider-Man are fittingly brutal and brilliantly executed. Venom looks amazing in the short time he is given on-screen.

Had it been more focused on certain story elements, Spider-Man 3 could have been much stronger. As it is, it's a solid superhero movie with touches of brilliance. It's just painful knowing that it could be the last in the series.

Trivia: Kirsten Dunst dyed her natural blond hair red for the role of Mary Jane Watson. Bryce Dallas Howard dyed her natural red hair blond for the role of Gwen Stacy. (Source: The Internet Movie Database)