There are few superheroes that have been through as many back-to-back movie reboots as Spider-Man. Fans of the films have always had plenty to debate about, from which actor portrayed the best Peter Parker to which version of the famous red-and-blue suit looks best. But one thing almost every fan of the webhead seems to agree on is that, of all the movies in all three reboots, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 is the worst of the bunch.

There are plenty of moments in Spider-Man 3 that could be used as evidence to support that widely regarded opinion. No one can deny the true awfulness that was Peter’s floppy hairstyle or the fact that the movie was completely overstuffed with characters. It came to light years after the movie’s release that Sam Raimi had significantly less creative control over Spider-Man 3, which could easily have been the root of the problem. Despite the hate for the third film that resulted in the cancellation of Spider-Man 4, the film doesn’t deserve as bad of a reputation as it has. Sure, some parts will always make fans squirm, but the film has a lot more to offer than it's ever been given credit for.

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While some new elements and characters didn't work in the movie, no one can deny is that every character was stretched to their limit in Spider-Man 3. In the comics, Peter has always had to deal with both the good and bad of his Spider-Man fame. While he didn’t handle it well in part 3 (like kissing Gwen right in front of Mary Jane- rude) it was something fans had never seen up until that point.

The Characters Grew, Finally

Peter spent the first two movies having to quietly sit back while The Daily Bugle and most of New York dragged Spider-Man’s name through the mud. It was satisfying to see the world finally recognizing the effort Peter’s made for years, the reason he’s so flakey and constantly ruining his personal life. It was a moment he deserved and it was a long time coming.

Another golden moment was the fight Peter and Harry have after Peter realizes Harry forced MJ to break up with him. The tension between the childhood friends had been bubbling since the first film, and it was actually a relief to see them finally battle it out without hiding behind words. The moment Peter shows up on Harry’s balcony, costumed and purposefully maskless, audiences knew things were going to explode onscreen.

One of the most compelling arcs is that of Peter and MJ as a couple. In the comics, Peter has had plenty of girlfriends, but none like MJ. The two have been through pretty much every problem under the sun and always find their way back to each other. In Spider-Man 3, fans finally witnessed how they function together after teasing a relationship for the first two movies. Peter accepting that he can be Spider-Man and still be with MJ is a constantly evolving struggle for the character, and it hit a fandom sweet spot to see the missteps and triumphs. He’s dealt with his hang-ups about the relationship enough that he’s ready to propose marriage before he completely messes it up. Plus, who could forget the perfection that was the web-hammock, stargazing date?

The Great Fan Service Moments

The argument can be made that Raimi's trilogy was the best of the Spider-Man movies, but there were so many big characters in Spider-Man 3 that the plot loses focus. Still, some of those characters (sorry Gwen, not you) were given moments so enjoyable to see on a big screen that they’re impossible to dismiss.

Sandman, played by Thomas Hayden Church, is by far the villain with the meatiest character development. His origin story in the sand-pile-science-experiment-gone-wrong is beautifully shot. Nearly every Sandman moment is near perfection, including Church wearing Flint Marko’s iconic striped shirt. Watching him try to form his human shape out of sand for the first time is as sad as it is lovely. The fight between Spider-Man and Sandman in the underground subway tunnels is one of the best fights of all three movies, especially when Peter figures out he can throw him into water and make him become mud. Sandman is undoubtedly one of the best characters of Raimi’s three movies.

By now it’s no secret that Raimi never intended to include Venom in Spider-Man 3. On top of that, Eddie Brock, the character Venom eventually sticks itself to, was completely miscast with Topher Grace. Despite this, the way Venom actually appears in the film is downright impressive. Before the days of Tom Hardy’s take on the role, fans had longed for a look at the gooey symbiote from the comics that seemed so impossible to recreate. Each glimpse of the amorphous alien, from watching Peter rip him off by a ringing church bell, to the final showdown when Peter blows him up, is gratifying to witness. The first moment Spider-Man is revealed as wearing the black symbiote version of his suit is a unique moment unto itself that no other Spider-Man film has recreated. At least for the time being, anyway.

The Movie Stays True To Spider-Man’s Most Famous Message

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More than any other movie in Raimi’s trilogy, Spider-Man 3 is the best example of the quote the character is known for: with great power comes great responsibility. Peter spends as much time in the movie web-swinging as he does indulging in petty behavior, betraying his girlfriend and friends, and ditching the morals fans know him for.

He takes viewers down his darkest road, the height of which is the infamous jazz club scene where he attempts to make MJ jealous before accidentally hitting her during a fight with the staff. He heartlessly tells Harry that he was an embarrassment to his dead dad, Norman Osborn, before throwing a bomb at him, resulting in half of his face being scarred.

These are hard moments to come back from, but, one by one, Peter chooses to face each of his mistakes and make up for them however he can. He swallows his pride and asks Harry for help when MJ is kidnapped. He tries to save Eddie Brock, who is a bonafide jerk to Peter for the entirety of the film, from becoming addicted to the Venom suit. He shows up at the end of movie to silently ask forgiveness of MJ, even though she would be justified in telling him to get lost forever.

Harry also embodies this theme when he eventually sacrifices his life to save Peter. It’s the ultimate redemption for the character and a huge turn from the bitter contempt he held for Spider-Man in the second movie. Harry does his best to get revenge on Peter for the death of his dad. The first fight of the film is between Peter and Harry, and it’s clear Harry is out for blood. He hits him where he knows it will hurt the most when he forces MJ to break up with him. Harry’s death scene is about as sad as they come and it's also the only ending that made sense for the character.

Perhaps the most powerful example is during Peter’s last conversation with Sandman. Peter’s life and most of his choices are shaped by the aftermath of his Uncle Ben’s death in the first film. After he finds out Flint Marko is responsible for his death he spends much of the film trying to kill him, something Spider-Man would normally never do. After the final battle, Sandman talks to Peter and explains that he never intended to be the monster he’s become. Peter decides to see the humanity and struggle of Sandman and admits he’s also made terrible mistakes. In a huge gesture of practicing great responsibility, he forgives Sandman.

Spider-Man 3 may continue to live on in infamy for being the worst Spider-Man movie ever made, back when Sony fully owned the rights to the character. It gave audiences moments they longed for, and perhaps even more moments they wish they could forget. But, on closer inspection, it's always had more to offer than its reputation would imply. If its biggest sin is Peter’s god awful dancing, this film deserves a second viewing to truly appreciate what it did get right.

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