Tobey Maguire is back, and this time he’s wearing black. My bride and I were able to join a roomful of junior high students as the third installment of the Spiderman movie franchise opened in our county seat.

This outing starts with our friendly neighborhood alter-ego, Peter Parker, dispelling with extra syrup how great it is to be Spiderman. New York loves him, he’s doing well at school, and he’s in love with his girlfriend. Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) has landed a role on Broadway, and everything is right. Peter is even planning the perfect date on which to ask MJ to marry him.

Things seem to turn upside down when a mysterious black ooze gets into the Spidey suit and magnifies Pete’s desire for revenge. The movie is one about choices—good and bad—and how they affect our lives and the lives of those around us. Thomas Haden Church does an excellent job in his role as the petty thief who really pulled the trigger in Uncle Ben’s murder. His transformation into the Sandman is one of the highlights of the movie. James Franco reprises his role as Harry Osborn, intent on avenging his father by killing Spiderman. And Eddie Brock (That 70s Show’s Topher Grace) makes an excellent self-absorbed anti-hero. Throughout the movie it seems that his sole purpose in life is to undermine Peter Parker.

I had a good time at the movies, enjoying most of the fare. One thing that is a struggle for the movie itself is the explanation of the ooze that turns Spidey dark and eventually turns Eddie into Venom. But the cameo by Stan Lee more than makes up for it.