Podcast Episode Summary: "Spider-Man 3 w/ Kulap Vilaysack (HDTGM Matinee)"

Introduction In this episode of How Did This Get Made?, hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas dive deep into the notorious film Spider-Man 3. Joined by special guest Kulap Vilaysack, the team embarks on a humorous yet critical examination of what makes Spider-Man 3 a quintessential example of a "so-bad-it's-good" movie. The discussion spans from plot inconsistencies and character development to CGI mishaps and memorable (albeit unintentional) comedic moments.

Initial Impressions and Setting the Stage The conversation kicks off at [01:32], with Jason Mantzoukas expressing initial optimism about Spider-Man 3, referencing the success of its predecessors:

Jason Mantzoukas [01:32]: "Spider Man 1 was good. Spider Man 2 was great."

However, their enthusiasm quickly dampens as they recount their experience watching the film:

Jason Mantzoukas [01:36]: "We were like, yes. What could possibly go wrong? Apparently everything we saw in Spider Man 3."

Too Many Villains and Character Overload One of the primary critiques centered around the film's overcrowded roster of villains. The hosts highlight how the introduction of multiple antagonists dilutes the narrative and confuses the audience:

Jason Mantzoukas [03:33]: "You have the Green Goblin's son, Sandman, Venom, and Eddie Brock. But you have two. It's sort of like Venom is a villain of Peter, and then Brock also is kind of a—"

Kulap Vilaysack [03:59]: "Oh, I was just gonna say it's as if there's only six people in New York City. It makes no sense."

This excessive number of villains not only strains the plot but also undermines each character’s impact, leading to a disjointed and fragmented storyline.

Plot Holes and Inconsistencies The episode delves into several plot holes that plague Spider-Man 3. One notable issue discussed is the mysterious behavior of the symbiote and its attachment to Peter Parker:

Jason Mantzoukas [05:04]: "So what was it doing? It was just hanging out, waiting for him to fall asleep."

Additionally, the hosts point out the prolonged duration it takes for Peter Parker to don the Spider-Man suit, which detracts from the film’s pacing:

Jason Mantzoukas [06:00]: "34 fucking minutes."

Character Development and Relationships The dynamic between Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson is another focal point. The hosts critique the lack of chemistry and the unrealistic portrayal of their relationship struggles:

Kulap Vilaysack [14:26]: "They have like 20 minutes between every action sequence. This movie is a fucking disaster zone."

Furthermore, the introduction of Gwen Stacy as a model deviates from her character in the comics, leading to confusion and a lack of depth in her portrayal.

CGI and Special Effects Despite being part of a blockbuster franchise, the CGI in Spider-Man 3 is heavily criticized for its inconsistency and lack of finesse compared to earlier installments:

Jason Mantzoukas [11:11]: "The Sandman. ... So bad."

The hosts lament how the CGI fails to bring the Sandman character to life convincingly, making his transformations appear more ludicrous than menacing.

Memorable (Unintentional) Comedy Moments Amidst the critiques, the hosts find humor in certain unintentionally funny scenes, such as the infamous "finger guns" moment and the awkward dance sequences. These moments, while indicative of the film's shortcomings, provide comedic relief and memorable lines:

Jason Mantzoukas [27:12]: "I think the finger guns. And then when he goes into, like, the club... that's horrible."

Acting and Performance Issues The performances, particularly by guest Kulap Vilaysack and other supporting actors, are dissected for their over-the-top and sometimes nonsensical portrayals. The transformation scenes, where characters morph between human and villain forms, are highlighted as poorly executed:

Kulap Vilaysack [17:38]: "But source material, like that shirt is canon."

Audience Reception and Critical Reviews The hosts touch upon the polarized reception of Spider-Man 3, noting that while some hardcore fans continue to praise the film, the majority view it as a flawed installment in the Spider-Man saga. They reference Amazon reviews that range from bewildered ratings to sarcastic endorsements:

Jason Mantzoukas [45:35]: "A must-see movie. 5 stars. One of my favorite favorite things now."

These out-of-sync reviews further illustrate the film's inability to meet audience expectations consistently.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts Wrapping up the discussion, the hosts agree that Spider-Man 3 serves as a quintessential example of a film that struggles to balance multiple storylines and characters, resulting in a disjointed and often baffling narrative. Despite its flaws, the movie provides ample comedic material for the hosts to celebrate its failures.

Kulap Vilaysack [47:44]: "I would watch the first two first. I wouldn't watch it just to watch it. I would watch the first two and then watch this. Because in juxtaposition, you will truly appreciate what a bag of shit this is."

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Jason Mantzoukas [03:06]: "They have equal parts dancing as there is fighting."

• Kulap Vilaysack [05:57]: "It was a full hour of the movie. Like a meteorite lands, it attaches itself to Peter Parker's moped, and then an hour later is like, oh, wait a minute..."

• Jason Mantzoukas [16:00]: "Manhattan's an island. It works for me now. But he can be put out or he can be destroyed by water."

• Kulap Vilaysack [27:38]: "He starts talking in, like, this... Just gotta hear the way he talks. Cool. Like Dean Martin."

• Jason Mantzoukas [41:19]: "Who is this movie for? Because, like, it's not really kidsy enough to be like a Spider man kids movie..."

Key Takeaways

1. Overcrowded Villain List: Spider-Man 3 attempts to juggle too many antagonists, leading to a fragmented storyline.
2. Plot Inconsistencies: Numerous plot holes undermine the film’s cohesiveness and pacing.
3. Character Portrayals: Deviations from comic book characters, such as Gwen Stacy’s portrayal as a model, dilute their essence.
4. CGI Shortcomings: Special effects fail to convincingly bring key villains like Sandman to life.
5. Unintentional Comedy: Flaws in the script and direction offer unintentional humor, contributing to the film's "so-bad-it's-good" reputation.
6. Polarized Reception: While some fans defend the film, the majority critique its numerous shortcomings.

Conclusion Spider-Man 3 stands as a testament to the challenges of balancing multiple storylines and character arcs within a superhero franchise. Through its myriad flaws, the film provides a rich ground for comedic exploration and serves as a cautionary tale for future cinematic endeavors in the genre.