Spider-Man 3 Getting Mixed Reactions – Maguire says “I Kind of Liked It”

This summer has what I call a “Great Trinity of Summer 2007”. Those 3 giant films that will probably dwarf all others, Transformers, Pirates 3 and obviously Spider-Man 3. Well, there have been a number of screening for Spider-Man 3… and while no one should get too excited or too worried at early early early feedback…. the stuff I’ve been hearing about Spidey 3 isn’t so great. Not bad… but not great either.

One reader sent me this earlier:

A couple of friends I used to work with in a publishing company got to a screening of S3 on Wed night and their reactions were a little disheartening. Bear in mind these are film critics I totally trust the judgements of who both loved the first films. Basically the consusus was:

Good:

The humour is still great, Bruce’s cameo is very very funny.

The effects for the most part stand up really well, Sandman is excellent and similar to The Mummy stuff

Bad:

The Peter/MJ relationship has nothing to it now they’re together.

The plot is ok but mostly serves to set up each new villain and fight sequence.

There are too many new characters to deal with

After a pretty awesome finale the aftermath was so weak about 50 ppl apparently left a couple of scenes from the end.

When asked at the Tokyo premier, Tobey Maguire was reportedly asked by the Associated Press what he thought of the film to which he said:

“I Don’t Know, I Kind Of Liked It”

Even some of the more positive feedback coming out of Spider-Man 3 seems to be tempered. Take for example this quote from EOnline:

We were all so gassed to see this, and for a change, we weren’t disappointed. It’s not perfect. It’s not the best of the three (the original still holds the crown). It won’t be the finest film at the theater this summer (at least, I hope not!).

Now, let me repeat that it’s unwise to get too excited or too worried at just a couple of early quotes about a movie. Hang in there and wait to see what sort of consensus forms amongst a larger group of people who have seen it. But I will admit I’m a little surprised to hear this kind of stuff. Let’s wait and see.