‘Spider-Man 3’ Re-Release Reaffirms What Made The Raimi Films So Great
Boardwalk Times columnist Joaquin Fernandez explores how ‘Spider-Man 3’ reaffirms what made the Raimi trilogy so great as well as the potential of Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man popping up in ‘Avengers 5' and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’
This past Monday, April 29, the third installment of the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy was re-released in select theaters for Sony’s 100th anniversary. This comes off the heels of the first two films’ re-release, with every other one playing every week until June. Its box office gross made $760,000 from close to 466 theaters in the U.S.
Fans were incentivized not just to see these films on the big screen for the first time in years but to take home some exclusive posters as well. Witnessing each original Spider-Man film in the trilogy again was purely magical and brought back so many cherished memories.
The Raimi Spider-Man trilogy means a great deal to this generation of teens and young adults who grew up seeing Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker swing across the streets of NYC for the first time. The heart and soul of these films captured the very essence of what makes the Spider-Man character and comics so timeless.
Spider-Man 3 wasn’t as well received back in 2007, with an audience score of 51%, and a critic score of 63%. It’s safe to say times have changed and fans warmed up to the film with every passing year. The hilarious Bully Maguire memes and catchy lines bring sheer passion and enjoyment nowadays.
From my personal experience watching it again with a large group of friends, it was surreal in all the good ways. I recited nearly every meme-induced line like “I want the staff job, double the money” and “You want forgiveness, get religion.”
Any scene that had Peter with the Symbiote was either immensely cool or downright hilarious. This is especially true when it came to the jazz club scene, which was nearly unwatchable at release but has evolved to a pure descent of camp and fun on Rami’s part.
Seeing all these original Spider-Man films on the big screen again is a dream come true for every fan. The chilling Danny Elfman score, expert cinematography, engaging action, well-aged CGI, complex characters, and heartwarming story bring it all together. While this film has its fair share of problems like too many main villains and humor to the point of slapstick comedy. It still manages to tell the tale of how revenge can eat us up inside unless we learn to forgive, as Peter does for Sandman.
Sam Rami was pressured by the studio to add Venom and the Symbiote saga into this film, but he still kept his aptitude for humanity and heart in the story. The Bully Maguire scenes are funny but highlight Peter’s insecurities and shrew idea of how to be “bad” and “edgy”. The complicated relationship between him and MJ is more real than most comic-book film romances nowadays (not to discount Tom and Zendaya they’re still great).
The theater experience is still strong and amplifies every high in the film while hiding most of the lows. Yes, Topher Grace’s Venom isn’t comic-accurate at all yet is still as entertaining as any Raimi villain. James Franco’s Harry is a mixed bag but redeems himself in the end with his sacrifice. Thomas Haden Church’s Sandman is where Raimi is allowed to cook and bite into classic misunderstood villain tropes he’s known for.
All in all, Spider-Man 3 is still a great, while flawed, film with so many wonderful qualities that make it rewatchable to this day. The final battle between Sandman and Venom vs Spidey and Harry was my Endgame before the MCU even started. Raimi didn’t end the film on the usual triumphant final swing, but a slow and bittersweet dance between Peter and MJ.
Tobey and most of his villains eventually were featured in Spider-Man: No Way Home, which lived up to all the internet’s hype and speculation. There are some rumors and hope for Tobey’s Peter to return alongside Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in Avengers 5 and Secret Wars. With Deadpool and Wolverine setting up some fan-servicy cameos from the Foxverse, there’s a good chance to see Raimi’s Spider-Man world again via multiverse.
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Joaquin Fernandez is a columnist for Boardwalk Times
