Spider-Man 3

I just got back from the midnight showing of Spider-Man. I'm going to make some intentionally vague comments now so not to spoil anything for people who have yet to see it. Either way, if you prefer your super hero movies not critically analyzed, stop here.

It's no match for Spider-Man 2, I'll start with that. But yet it was an appropriate thematic step for the series, so I appreciate the overall connections. The reason I believe will become clear after seeing the movie. In 2 the thematic sentiment positioned us to feel sorry for Parker then give us catharsis when he pulls through and overcomes the obstacles. When the people on the train see his face and say they won't tell, tears are streaming from my eyes like nobody's business.

But that's where feeling sorry for Parker ends, for in number 3 sympathy is an afterthought to the main plot theme of anger. The movie begins with Parker riding high on the emotional peak he (and we) worked through 2 to achieve. We're excited for him still, but then the new movie turns it around on him. Pride, hubris, anger. These are the emotions of the 3rd Spider-Man. Instead of feeling sorry for Parker, we're made to be mad at him and what he does.

This leads to a wholly different audience experience. No longer a story of great power and great responsibility, we're now in the realm of redemption. The central moral message of this movie (as best conveyed by Parker's aunt Mae and his own voicover at the end) is that the most important thing is forgiveness. What this does thematically is to move away from systems of power and into personal choice and agency. It also comes across to me as a bit over moralizing at a few moments, but that's another issue. I have a problem with this move to the extent that I believe the systems do matter and it's not all/only/inseparably about personal choice. I believe we should feel sympathy, but it shouldn't stop there, and this movie does (perhaps too suddenly in my case as our projector apparently neglected to load the final reel and we were left without the credits...).

I don't want to forgive Parker at the end of this movie. And that's problematic because it's clear the filmmakers expect me to.

I'd be interested to hear other people's thoughts on this. I also have some interesting thoughts on gender in the movie/series, but I'll need to divulge specifics so that'll have to wait a few weeks.