Spider-Man 3

Now this is a great way to start off the summer movie season. "Spider-Man 3" is packed full of action, storyline, and amazing computer effects. Fans of Spider-Man will not be disappointed. If anything, you will be exhausted from just how much is packed into this movie.

Peter Parker (Toby Maguire) couldn't be happier. Nothing is going wrong as his Spider-Man persona has been embraced as a hero by the citizens and his relationship with Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) is only growing stronger. This, of course, can't last long. At the end of one particular date where the loving couple is star gazing, a black stellar goo attaches itself to Peter's scooter. We'll come back to the goo soon.

Meanwhile, Pete's former best friend Harry (James Franco) is still seeking vengeance over Spider-Man for the death of Harry's father. Harry continues to develop his skills as the new Green Goblin, and ends up in a one-on-one fight with Spidey. While both men take a beating, Harry ends up with amnesia, forgetting his hate for Spider-Man/Peter, sending him back to a time when they were best friends. This also doesn't last long. When Harry's memory does come back, his lust for revenge only grows stronger.

Just as Peter thinks all is right with life, and as Spider-Man is about to receive the key to the city, along comes Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), a molecularly altered criminal whose back story involves a dying daughter. It turns out that this is also the guy who actually killed Peter's Uncle Ben. This not only increases Spider-Man's desire to find him, but also sends Peter on a guilt trip for the death of the guy thought to have been the killer.

Now, back to the black goo. This stuff actually turns out to be a symbiotic creature that needs a host. When attached to its host, it brings out the dark side in that person. Having found Peter Parker, it not only brings out a totally new personality in Peter, it turns Spider-Man’s costume black and his crime-fighting passions into a menacing power. On one hand, this isn't necessarily a bad thing as Spider-Man is now facing two bad guys, but it does little to improve Peter's life. When Peter/Spidey realizes what is happening, he forces the goo off of his body, like watching an addict kick the habit. Just as the goo goes away, it finds Peter's newest enemy, a rival newspaper photographer (Topher Grace) who then assumes the identity of Venom.

Here's where it all comes together. Venom and Sandman partner up to destroy Spider-Man. To trap him, they capture Mary Jane. What they didn't realize is that this also creates a partnership between Spider-Man and Green Goblin Harry as they work together to save the woman they both love.

Got all that? I'm worn out just writing all of that. What you need to know is that each character is fun and exciting, the CGI effects are outstanding and, even with all of the different characters in play, the story comes together nicely. If anything, there is a lull in the middle as we watch the effect of the goo on Peter. In a movie filled with superheroes/supervillians, you tend to care less for the real people.

"Spider-Man 3" is an action-packed, primarily computer-generated movie that is actually a love story on a variety of levels. While not quite as good as the second, number three is certainly worth your time. I give it an A-.

"Spider-Man 3" is rated PG-13 with a running time of 140 minutes.