Spider-Man 3

The most anticipated Hollywood release of 2007, Spider-Man 3, premiered in Tokyo on April 17. The Tokyo premiere was held in rain for a lucky Japanese audience, who got to see the film well in advance of the rest of the world. The film releases in USA this Friday, May 4th (It opens for general realease in Japan on May 1).

Spider-Man 3 may be the most expensive movie ever made, with reports claiming that more than $500 million may have been spent on its production. The movie sees Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst reprising their respective roles as Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson. What makes this 3rd part different from the rest is a darker Peter Parker! As his suit suddenly changes, turning jet-black, it enhances his powers and transforms him from a gentle creature to a dark and vengeful personality. Struggling for control, Peter becomes overconfident and starts to neglect the people who care about him the most. He takes on old friend Harry Osborn (James Franco), who has taken up the mantle of his late father's persona, the New Goblin, and Uncle Ben's real killer, Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church), who has been transformed into the web-slinger's toughest foe yet, the Sandman. Peter's newfound overconfidence takes a hit and he tries his best to keep his powerful enemies from wreaking havoc in their thirst for revenge.

Sony Pictures Imageworks designed specific computer programs that did not exist when Spider-Man 3 began production. The company used the groundbreaking visual effects programs to create the performances and shots needed to complete the film. The movie has a 15-song soundtrack, with a host of featured artists like The Killers, Snow Patrol and Black Mountain.

The film boasts of cameos from its crew as well. Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee, director Sam Raimi and producer Grant Curtis make brief appearances in the film. Director Sam Raimi has reportedly confirmed further sequels -- understandable since parts 1 and 2 grossed an unbelievable $1.6 billion worldwide -- but it might not be easy to convince Tobey to persist on webslinging after this one.

Spider-Man 3 is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence. Runtime is 140 minutes.