This third instalment of the Spider-Man franchise is a reasonable but occasionally disappointing outing. Action-packed, fast-paced and enjoyable, director Sam Raimi keeps a firm hand on the reins, but the film doesn't hit home as hard as the first two instalments. Much of this is to do with the complex plot, in which Spider-Man has to tackle two super villains - each with their own back-story - plus his own inner demons. Naturally this all takes time to explain, slowing up proceedings.
Life is sweet for Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire): MJ (Kirsten Dunst) loves him, her career is taking off and Spider-Man-mania is sweeping New York. But when an alien parasite bonds to his suit, it's not long before the good times, and Spider-Man, turn bad.
While his ugly ego is taking centre stage, MJ is dumped from her Broadway show, Harry Osborn (James Franco) remembers Spider-Man's role in his father's death, and Peter is consumed by revenge when his uncle's killer Flint Marko (now Sandman - Thomas Haden-Church) turns up.
Parker will have to ditch his dark side if he hopes to put his life back together, but things take one final turn for the worse when rival reporter Eddie Brock (Topher Grace) is transformed by the same alien substance into Venom and teams up with Sandman for a super-powered showdown with the web-slinging hero.
Spider-Man 3 is a Film programme that first aired in 2007 and has been classified a 12 certificate.
