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# Prepare to re-enter the Spidey spin zone
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/prepare-to-re-enter-the-spidey-spin-zone/
- Published: 2007-05-03T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T00:40:58.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Entertainment, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By MICHAEL J. TITTINGER Daily Press Staff Writer*

Like any other movie based on a comic book hero, there are moments during “Spider-Man 3” when you start waiting for the story to unfold already and get back to the good stuff.

Only in Director Sam Raimi’s third take on the Big Apple web-slinger, it’s the back story — not the action sequences — that leave you wanting more.

While the fights and obligatory showdowns are breathtaking, if a bit frenetic and predictable, the true genius in “Spider-Man 3” lies in the interwoven themes of love, temptation and revenge.

In what has proven itself far and away to be the best of the comic movie franchises, “Spider-Man 3” again raises the stakes for protagonist Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), who after struggling between personal wants and personal destiny in the last installment now finds himself trying to strike a balance between his would-be fiancee Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) and dealing with his own considerable fame and ego. Rather adult themes for a teen-age hero.

Not complacent to simply evolve his tried-and-true storylines and characters, Raimi (who also wrote the screenplay along with his brother Ivan Raimi) introduces new villians in the misjudged fugitive Sandman (Thomas Hayden Church) and competing Daily Bugle photographer Eddie Brock (Topher Grace), as well as a competing temptress for Peter Parker in fellow student Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard).

But the real genius in “Spider-Man” is that it stays true as a comic book story not by relying on obvious gimmickry, but never taking itself too seriously. Pulling heartstrings throughout, a dose of humor is never more than a couple frames away courtesy of some genius supporting characters such as the fawning landlord’s daughter Ursula (Mageina Tovah) or the French restaurant Maître d’ (Bruce Campbell).

Before “Spider-Man 3” even opens this weekend, the talk of the town is centering around whether or not there will be a fourth installment, the success of this film assured. The franchise is one with considerable legs because Raimi realizes that moviegoers will never tire of a superhero who doesn’t hog the spotlight. These films are not just about Parker or his alter ego, but rather the effects a true hero in today’s world might have on the rest of us.

The overriding message of the film is that every one of us can choose to be a hero, that we all face opportunities to be bad or good. The creators of “Spider-Man 3”have resoundingly chosen to be good... very, very good.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/050307-15_01.jpg)

of Columbia Pictures (Photo: Photo courtesy)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/050307-15_02.jpg)

of Columbia Pictures (Photo: Photo courtesy)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 3, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/050307.pdf?ref=smdp.com)