Review: Spiderman 3 ****

As super hero films go, this is a movie that has it all: great special effects, exciting action sequences, and, most importantly, good acting and a good message. Most importantly, Spiderman 3 has the best moral message in a long time. Remember earlier this year when the new Superman movie came out and we learned that the Man of Steel had a child out of wedlock? The rest of the movie was good, but we had certain reservations about the plot. Not so here, as Spiderman's actions and words teach overtly the lesson that we always have a choice about our actions and our choices shape our character.
A certain tar-like substance can grow to cover people with a black elastic material that molds into Spiderman's suit after it gets on him accidentally. Spiderman/Peter Parker, discovers that when he wears the black suit he is cocky, short with people, and vengeful, but he enjoys being that way. This movie is a Jekyll and Hyde story with all of the necessary ingredients: the good character finds a way to bring out his bad side, he likes the bad side, and the bad version of him starts to take over. The black material affects Spiderman and his rival reporter, who becomes a spiderman with a mouthful of teeth similar to that of the shrieking eels from "Princess Bride." The toothy spiderman, Sandman, and Harry, Peter Parker's friend played by James Franco, all make choices and have to live with them. The climactic fight and its aftermath illustrate perfectly the principle that you reap what you sow and each person must take responsibility for his own actions. You can always choose to do the right thing.
With this performance, Tobey Maguire shows that he is an excellent actor. He manages to pull off the nerdy and cocky versions of Peter Parker, the good and bad sides of Spiderman, and does so with a million subtle expressions and gestures that are extremely fun to watch. Happily for all of us, Kirsten Dunst has matured noticeably since the last movie, so that her performance here lives up to her character's potential. A good script and an excellent supporting cast complete this movie's impressive resume. Highest recommendations.