Spider-Man 3

Spider-Man 3 is the longest film in the series so far, and perhaps it tries to pack in rather too much. But it's intelligently directed by Sam Raimi and, with all those eye-popping set pieces, it's certainly never boring.

The breeziness that was so refreshing in the other episodes has been largely replaced by the kind of misery and moping that we can get from any old superhero.

At 141 minutes, this supe-opera is seriously overextended, with four distinct subplots and way too much hand-wringing over things like the heroine's singing career.

Too many villains, too many pale plot strands, too many romantic misunderstandings, too many conversations, too many street crowds looking high into the air and shouting "oooh!" this way, then swiveling and shouting "aaah!" that way.

Notwithstanding a cute scene in which Peter enlists suave maitre d' Bruce Campbell to help him propose to Mary Jane, director Sam Raimi's juggling of the comedy and the action is unusually flat-footed.

A hollow shell of a saga devoid of both thrilling action and rousing passion.

While some of the film is a bit goofy in retrospect, it’s still a consummate vision from a director who just understood the character better than anyone else has.

What could have been if the studio didn't stick its inky black nose in Raimi's business...

Raimi, perhaps pressured by the fan base or studio executives, has tried to cram too much into this third - and presumably last - chapter of this hugely popular property.

Runs about 20-30 minutes too long and, at times, falls victim to its visual and action excesses.