AmericanPapist Comments
Wow. You're review has single-handedly convinced me to see this film. I was pretty sure I ought to skip it (as I skipped Spidey 2).
Thanks.
Spoilers appreciated.
Very good review. I saw it at its first showing in my town at midnight, and I agree with you 100%. If anyone is reading this who was thinking of skipping it, please, go see it.
Where does Spider-Man go to help him make the hardest choice in his life, namely, abandoning his own will and tendency to embrace power for vengeance? That's right: the Church. And it's clearly a Catholic Church. This isn't something Sam Raimi cooked up: it's right there in the Spider-Man comics [just look at this page] and animated TV show. . . .
Just to clarify -- that comic depicting somebody visiting a church isn't of Peter Parker; it's Eddie Brock / aka. Venom.
But on that note, see see this extensive presentation on the religious faith of Peter Parker / Spider Man. (A website has an entire section on 'the religious identity of comic book characters).
Although I can recall from my comic book days memories of Aunt May being depicted with a rosary, Peter Parker has to my knowledge behaved as a nominal Catholic. (The television series, which I haven't seen, may prove me wrong -- and I really haven't followed the comic itself since high school).
However, perhaps the most distinctly and overtly Catholic super-hero in the Marvel universe would be Nightcrawler, from the X-Men, followed by the less-devout Matt Murdock (Daredevil).
Chris, thanks for the great comment.
I should have specified that what I meant by "it's" is the fact that the transfer of the symbiote from parker to brock happens in a Catholic church (I've changed my text to read that way).
An excellent review of a film which I thoroughly enjoyed on so many levels. Thanks for explicating what those were. As you say, it would merit further viewing.
I just saw it myself and have to concur with your review. I really liked this movie. I especially liked that the human story line easily overpowered the comic book stuff. It could have used two-bit special effects and I still would want to watch it just to see how Peter, Mary Jane, and everyone else get along. That is a rare thing these days.
My one complaint is that the ending is much more tidy than in 2 and nothing has been set up for the sequel. This leads me to believe that the next movie will not be helmed by Sam Raimi -- which would be an utter disaster in my book.
I have to give props to Raimi for ramping up the two gratuitous cameos for this film as well as keeping the traditional glory shot of Spiderman with a giant American flag fluttering.
I saw it last night. It was pretty awful. You know things are bad when the theatre is in hysterics... during the dramatic scenes.
Yeah;
I loved the story line and the interaction of vices and virtues, but some of the acting of Peter Parker and Mary Jane was atrocious. I couldn't take him seriously when he started crying.
Harry's acting was fantastic.
The theatre I was in was also hysterical so it made it tough to enjoy some of the serious parts.
About the Church scene, it gave me more of a bad feeling than a good one - like people who have faith in God ask Him to bring out the worst in people. And I didn't get the impression that Peter entered the Church bell tower for good reasons and his getting rid of the symbiote was played off more as a fluke than Divine Providence.
I did like all of the physics in the movie though, but that's neither here nor there:)
Peace
Great review! So many of the reviews that I read on this third installment were so negative and emphasized the violence and the dark side of this film that I opted not to see it. I loved the first two episodes and didn't want to be disappointed. I'm a long-time spider man fan, too. It's nice to see a positive review for a change.
In (5.), you say egoism is "Harry's" downfall. You meant Peter's I think.
Also, did you mean the Ben Parker quote to be from Spidey "1"?
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