Spidey goes Bollywood!. Review on Spiderman 3 Movie

Spiderman 3 epitomises Bollywoodisation of Hollywood where its characters, including a super-hero weep. Yes, that's director Sam Raimi's way of connecting with the viewer. Does he succeed? Read on.

The special effects are groovy. Raimi hasn't spared any effort in ensuring that the last of the Spiderman series(that's what they say, but you never know with Hollywood) ends with a bang. The much-publicised$250m shows, be it the first fight with Jr. Green Goblin(Spiderman's friend who thinks he killed his father) or the climactic scene where he takes on two people at the same time with the help of a reformed Green Goblin. Yes, reformation in this film happens in a jiffy, just like two people fall in love in Hindi films merely going by the looks. You can't blame this film. This trend started most notably with Titanic where the love-story went on for three hours.

So what's the best part in the film that typifies Bollywood? The scene where Green Goblin's butler shows up from nowhere just when Spiderman needs his help to tell him that his father had indeed died of his own instrument. Bing! There goes the climax! But not to worry. This film is about special effects and not so much about the script or the lack of it.

But I must admit to one thing. I loved the way Raimi brought out the message in the film and humanised Spiderman. It tells me two things. One, that we have a choice in life. What we choose can make or break our life. Two, no matter even if you are a super-hero, you can be as unhappy as the beggar on the street.

So what's the film about? Well, simply put, he has to fight four evils this time. One is Green Goblin who is out to avenge his father's death. The second and also the most amazing special-effect character, the sandman, who is a victim of circumstances. And the last is a symbiotic species that hangs on to a person who is cold and mean. And if the person is aggressive, this species makes him even more so. It hangs on to Spidey and then his colleague in the office. This works as a great metaphor. Think of it as your own ego. The more you seek revenge, the more you kill yourself. The more you distance yourself from it, the more you are happy and controlled.

The acting has never been better, particularly from Tobey Maguire. The dude has not only stayed in character but has been able to morph from a super-hero to a regular man on the street with much finesse. His facial expressions, his body language and his ability to showcase emotions in the blink of an eye make his performance stand out.

Kirsten Dunst, who plays Spidey's romantic interest, is just there to fill in the blanks in the story and nothing more. But James Franco(who plays Green Goblin) does a fine job. Watch his facial expression and body language when he's the evil incarnate and watch him when he's Spidey's best friend.

Flint Marco as the sandman is more a salute to the technical wizardry of the team and not so much his acting skills. Sadly, that's what the story demands and you can't blame him. Topher Grace, as the new photographer at the Daily Planet where Spidey works, breathes some fresh, young blood and stops the script from meandering into predictable territory.

All in all, it's average fare, but for those who only watch a spidey movie for its special effects, this one scores over its predecessors. In that sense, it's a great effort, Mr Saimi. Just one thing. The length of 2 hours and 20 minutes is a bit long for an English film minus songs. It's fine to be indulgent, Mr Saimi, but I think you could have still made it home with a two-hour flick. If you were to translate the phrase, 'The god is in the details' to films, it would read:'The god is in the editing'. Are you reading this, Mr Saimi?

PS: My MS frend Walking Dude just informed me that Sony is going to make three more

Spiderman movies. It’s however, not confirmed whether Raimi will be

directing it or the leading pair will reprise their characters! But mostly, they will, says our'friendly neighbourhood' walking dude. Thank you, dude!