This is an interesting thing I'd like to share.

In several graphic elements from Spiderman 3 circulating around the web, I see that Sony Pictures uses (for the title of the film) the same font chosen for the Playstation 3.

That is an interesting and well executed marketing trick: making that "3" available everywhere, it promotes both the movie and the game console. It links both products - specially because that "3" is very identifiable.

I posted this here because, in the context of this format war, it is interesting to see that Sony misses no chance to use content as a way to promote their technology - which, of course is only natural.

They do it because they can.

I think this effort is another clear example of the importance of the Playstation 3 in the Blu-ray strategy - a subject we already discussed so many times. It is also a clear example of the importance of content - not for the consumer, but for a CE company like Sony who (now that's my personal reading) sees this same content as pure instrument.

not only that but "PS" is also using the Spiderman 3 font. I have no problem w/ that at all - I think it's a cool font :)

Still, I would bet "HD DVD" and especially its nifty logo has more sway w/ the consumer than "Blu-ray" or "PS3", regarding next gen optical formats

Its stupid is what it is.

not only that but "PS" is also using the Spiderman 3 font. I have no problem w/ that at all - I think it's a cool font :)

Still, I would bet "HD DVD" and especially its nifty logo has more sway w/ the consumer than "Blu-ray" or "PS3", regarding next gen optical formats

It really depends...

Most I've run into just assume HD-DVD IS Blu-ray.

When I tell them it's a separate format, I get a deer in the headlight look from them. :rolleyes:

LOL
Blu-Ray
All the Way
LOL
;)

I noticed that the other day. It's not just the "3"... the entire font for the "Spiderman 3" and "PlayStation 3" is identical in every way, including color.

Hmm. What do ya think the odds of product-placement will be in the movie?

Will Spidey scale past a widow display of PS3's, or tinker with one in his off-hours. How about the biggest skyscraper having the the unmistakable streamline curves of the PS3?

Perhaps just tasteful subliminal frames peppered here and there. :D

This is an interesting thing I'd like to share.

In several graphic elements from Spiderman 3 circulating around the web, I see that Sony Pictures uses (for the title of the film) the same font chosen for the Playstation 3.

That is an interesting and well executed marketing trick: making that "3" available everywhere, it promotes both the movie and the game console. It links both products - specially because that "3" is very identifiable.

I posted this here because, in the context of this format war, it is interesting to see that Sony misses no chance to use content as a way to promote their technology - which, of course is only natural.

They do it because they can.

I think this effort is another clear example of the importance of the Playstation 3 in the Blu-ray strategy - a subject we already discussed so many times. It is also a clear example of the importance of content - not for the consumer, but for a CE company like Sony who (now that's my personal reading) sees this same content as pure instrument.

What they ought to do:

1. Have commercials all over the spiderman offering saying that it will be in Blu-ray disc but NOT in HD-DVD.

2. Release the Blu-ray version of Spiey 3 first, 2 weeks before the wide release of the SD-DVD version.

I think the BDA is not doing all it can against Hd-DVD at this time, perhaps an arrogance that is misplaced.

In Spiderman 3, the plot should about Spiderman having to protect their exclusive studios from the evil HDDVD Group. The finale being: Spiderman fighting toe to toe with Amir!

I heard they've changed Spidey's suit from Red to Blu...

Us gamers noticed this when the first official pictures of the PS3 were released. I and many others thought it was pretty lame.

I never noticed before this was pointed out. Pretty cool. :)

Hmm. What do ya think the odds of product-placement will be in the movie?

Will Spidey scale past a widow display of PS3's, or tinker with one in his off-hours. How about the biggest skyscraper having the the unmistakable streamline curves of the PS3?

Perhaps just tasteful subliminal frames peppered here and there. :D

Tasteful? Camera pans with spidey in front of a ps3/blu-ray billboard in the background. lol

I guess this is OT, but what the heck. HD DVD supporter here, but looking forward to seeing Spiderman 3 in a big way since I thought the first two were fantastic. I was also convinced that Raimi wouldn't fall prey to the "3rd movie curse". Superman, Batman, and X-men all had disappointing third movies, at least compared to the first two. Now I'm seeing that the first batch of reviews are decidedly mixed, and the movie is being accused of being too long, having too much stuffed into it, and some rehashed plot elements just being dull (Parker/MJ relationship for example). It'll be a bummer if this turns out to be so, but as of right now, I expect to be there for the Friday noon showing. If the reviews keep getting worse, I may have to rethink that. We'll see.

Ok, back to your local format war.

well, I haven't seen the movie yet, but my expectations of the movie received a small blow rating wise (2&half stars) from People magazine...is this another Matrix 3-like bomb where 3rd sequel = strike out?...how would a bad turn out affect the marketing approach of Sony in hopes of SM3 being the chosen one for the format homerun..interesting!

And the case color of the PS3 is the same color as the new Spidey costume, including silver trim! Coincidence? I think not.

well, I haven't seen the movie yet, but my expectations of the movie received a small blow rating wise (2&half stars) from People magazine...is this another Matrix 3-like bomb where 3rd sequel = strike out?...how would a bad turn out affect the marketing approach of Sony in hopes of SM3 being the chosen one for the format homerun..interesting!

Toby McGuire was on the Daily Show, and Stewart asked him what the response has been, and he said something like "very positive the audiences have been very enthusiastic." My read between the lines was "but not so much the critics"

Obviously it's going to play well, nobody's put anything up against it, and it's the fist biggie of the summer schlock-busters.

It's almost certainly been done like that on purpose. If Sony had a bigger franchise, pretty safe bet that you would see that film's marquee font being used in the PS3 logo.

Watch for more Sony products to use that font.

Sony is all about branding, always have been.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/sony/kutaragi-loves-that-ps3-spider+font-248223.php

Toby McGuire was on the Daily Show, and Stewart asked him what the response has been, and he said something like "very positive the audiences have been very enthusiastic." My read between the lines was "but not so much the critics"

Obviously it's going to play well, nobody's put anything up against it, and it's the fist biggie of the summer schlock-busters.

I saw the latest trailer on FOX tonight and they claimed something to the effect of 'critics the world over agree that Spiderman 3 is the best of the series.' They then proceeded to post up one giant quote from a lone critic in London whom I have never heard of.

I also had to freeze frame on my 55" with an HD image in order to read the fine print as to whom the critic was because they had written it so small and it went by so quickly.

Sony is a deceptive marketing god. :)

I also had to freeze frame on my 55" with an HD image in order to read the fine print as to whom the critic was because they had written it so small and it went by so quickly.

Sony is a deceptive marketing god.

I'm not a BDA fan for sure, but the fact is ALL studios deceptively show reviews for their movies. If there aren't adequate good reviews from respected critics, then they go to the unknown reviewers who carry no weight. There are plenty of those willing to proclaim the worst drek as being the greatest thing since sliced bread.

The thing with the font is that it might not even be a marketing trick. It was the choice of Ken Kutaragi and as he said...he just liked the font too much and forced the company to use it on the PlayStation 3.

So, even though it makes sense as a marketing stand, I'm not sure it is.

I'm not a BDA fan for sure, but the fact is ALL studios deceptively show reviews for their movies.
Yeah but few have gone so far as to make up reviewers :D

Its a branding element.

Sony owns both concepts.

No doubt that some marketing, advertising and creative folks either made this as a concious decision or were made aware of it and approved the artwork.

Smart use of the branding element. Little things like this add up in their impact.

But isn't the blue suit somehow evil and corrupting spidy?

Does art imitate life? JK... maybe.

Cheers,

Richard

Yeah but few have gone so far as to make up reviewers :D


I remember that.

I also remember Roger Ebert say as a critic you have to choose your adjectives with absolute care or the will yoink them out of context and turn a negative review into a glowing testimonial.

Its a branding element.

Sony owns both concepts.

No doubt that some marketing, advertising and creative folks either made this as a concious decision or were made aware of it and approved the artwork.

Smart use of the branding element. Little things like this add up in their impact.

Unless the movies not so hot and falls off quickly after the first week or two. That can cut both ways. I think they have an uphill battle (critically) because the second sequel got so much praise (perhaps too much), that it's gonna be hard to top off.

Actually, this was covered in a couple of stories related to Ken Kutaragi's departure from Sony SCEI. The others left behind said that he chose the shape and the Font for the PS3, basd of of the existing Spiderman font. These Sony folks seemed to disavow the choice and didn't seem to think it had been a good idea.

However, this is an interesting way to have a discussion about Spidy3 in the "HDTV discussion" area when this thread probably more belongs in the BD player or the HTPC Video Game section ;)

And the case color of the PS3 is the same color as the new Spidey costume, including silver trim! Coincidence? I think not.

:D

I thought I read the reviews in Asia were real good for the movie. I don't think it matters what the reviews are anyway since people will still go to see it. I don't think there is another movie to bring it down, and after seeing how well the second POTC sold ( I was very disappointed), I assume this one will do great as well.

It was crazy Ken's best contribution to the PS brand before they decided to "demote" him, IMO.

well, I haven't seen the movie yet, but my expectations of the movie received a small blow rating wise (2&half stars) from People magazine...is this another Matrix 3-like bomb where 3rd sequel = strike out?...how would a bad turn out affect the marketing approach of Sony in hopes of SM3 being the chosen one for the format homerun..interesting!On rottentomatoes.com the 3rd Matrix got 37% thumbs up and an average rating of 5.3. SM3 is currently at 72% thumbs up and 6.5 average. I saw at least one very early review that said it was better than SM2, but there have been some pretty negative reviews since then.

--Darin

And the case color of the PS3 is the same color as the new Spidey costume, including silver trim! Coincidence? I think not.

Especially if SM3 flops as big as the PS3 has! :eek: :D

for those of you who really like this font check out http://www.1001fonts.com/font_details.html?font_id=901
this site is awesome all you do is unzip the file for the font and add it to your "fonts" folder in your PC control panel. ;)

Actually, Spiderman 2 has the same font-type. Though the PS2 doesn't.


In Spiderman 3, the plot should about Spiderman having to protect their exclusive studios from the evil HDDVD Group. The finale being: Spiderman fighting toe to toe with Amir!That's too bad, as Amir would crush him. And I like Spiderman.

Actually, Spiderman 2 has the same font-type. Though the PS2 doesn't..

The PS2 was released years before the first Sony Spiderman film.

I watched the movie. It has more plots than before, more bad guys. More emotional than before and you might really care for the characters. The actions is there off course. But but... it did not blow me away... due to the high expectation I had after the first 2. The action sequence is not as memorable as the train sequence in part 2. Some action sequence is so fast that you can not see clearly which is the good guy. The movie on the whole is on par with 2, with a little less for not being the wow that I has been expecting. Quite certain that it would smash Spidey2 box office records.

Everytime more reviews are added, the percentage drops. Now it's at 68% overall, and the "cream of the crop" reviewers and basically panning it (see link below). I thought Raimi had it in him to avoid the "Third Movie in The Series" jinx. What's annoying is that he supposedly spent somewhere between $250MM and $300MM to make the movie. That's like the GNP for a small country! Disappointing. One other problem is that the critics almost act like they have an axe to grind. Thet almost are DEMANDING that you prove to them that you are worthy of another good reivew (after the first two highly reviewed entries in the series). For example, I'm positive that if Spideman 3 was the FIRST Spiderman movie, the reviews would be WAAAYYY better.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spiderman_3/

It links both products - specially because that "3" is very identifiable.


Hmmm... The only question that remains is: How many dorks are going to recognize this and will it make a difference?


Hmm. What do ya think the odds of product-placement will be in the movie?


Very high. Did you notice the Blu-ray players in Casino Royale?

For me personally, this movie is "review proof". I'll go see it anyway, especially if it turns out being good I won't be able to own it in HD-DVD. Same thing for Casino Royale. I just refuse to invest in another doomed Sony-driven format.

Even if I didn't hold a grudge against Sony for not playing nice with formats, the players are still insanely priced, and the PS3 is a weak sister to the XBox 360 and Wii as far as games go.

Hmm. What do ya think the odds of product-placement will be in the movie?

Will Spidey scale past a widow display of PS3's, or tinker with one in his off-hours.
Peter Parker is too poor to afford a PS3.


I guess this is OT, but what the heck. HD DVD supporter here, but looking forward to seeing Spiderman 3 in a big way since I thought the first two were fantastic. I was also convinced that Raimi wouldn't fall prey to the "3rd movie curse". Superman, Batman, and X-men all had disappointing third movies, at least compared to the first two. Now I'm seeing that the first batch of reviews are decidedly mixed, and the movie is being accused of being too long, having too much stuffed into it, and some rehashed plot elements just being dull (Parker/MJ relationship for example). It'll be a bummer if this turns out to be so, but as of right now, I expect to be there for the Friday noon showing. If the reviews keep getting worse, I may have to rethink that. We'll see.
I'll go see it too, but I'm not optimistic. The reviews are less than glowing...


For me personally, this movie is "review proof".
For you maybe, but I do think the reviews do have an impact on overall disc sales.

It will still be a popular BD title (by current standards), but perhaps not as popular as it could have been. This is significant, since SM3 is likely one of the titles Sony will be using to promote BD come Xmas.

Especially if SM3 flops as big as the PS3 has! :eek: :D

Spiderman 3 is at 68% of Rottentomatoes... lower than The Matrix Reloaded. I hope SM3 is good, I really liked the first two. My guess is that Spiderman mentions Blu-Ray twice

"Damn Venom!!! He stole MJ AND my Blu-Ray player, the one we use to hook up to High Definition TVs to get Blu-Ray video which is beyond High definition!!! Looks like I'll have to rescue both.... but I guess MJ is expendable"
~Blu-Ray product placement in SM3

Spiderman 3 is at 68% of Rottentomatoes... lower than The Matrix Reloaded. I hope SM3 is good, I really liked the first two. My guess is that Spiderman mentions Blu-Ray twice

"Damn Venom!!! He stole MJ AND my Blu-Ray player, the one we use to hook up to High Definition TVs to get Blu-Ray video which is beyond High definition!!! Looks like I'll have to rescue both.... but I guess MJ is expendable"
~Blu-Ray product placement in SM3

I really hope its good to. I definitely like SM2 more than SM1, so I think SM3 has some big shoes to fill.

I'll probably see it in about 2/3 weeks. We have a nice Imax theater with a bar that I love to take advantage of not more than 10 minutes from me. The drinks are pretty cheap to, considering it's a movie theater. CC & 7's for $3 :D

I really hope its good to. I definitely like SM2 more than SM1, so I think SM3 has some big shoes to fill.

I'll probably see it in about 2/3 weeks. We have a nice Imax theater with a bar that I love to take advantage of not more than 10 minutes from me. The drinks are pretty cheap to, considering it's a movie theater. CC & 7's for $3 :D

Coming off the heels of such a successful sequel is difficult, I just hope it doesn't pull a "Godfather Part 3" or "Alien3"

"Damn Venom!!! He stole MJ AND my Blu-Ray player, the one we use to hook up to High Definition TVs to get Blu-Ray video which is beyond High definition!!! Looks like I'll have to rescue both.... but I guess MJ is expendable"


Spiderman is probably fighting off the chics left and right and can easily replace MJ. Given that he's on a modest salary and far too upstanding to steal or accept endorsements, a PS3 is in his best interests as he can play games, won't have to pay for his PSN access, and can watch the best Blu-ray movies he can get. :D

For me personally, this movie is "review proof". I'll go see it anyway, especially if it turns out being good I won't be able to own it in HD-DVD. Same thing for Casino Royale. I just refuse to invest in another doomed Sony-driven format.


I'm not a super-hero fan, but I saw 2 by default as I like to go to drive-ins, and it was double-billed with something else I wanted to see more. I thought it was as good as these things get, but I'll probably only see 3 under the same circumstances.

I like that kid from the 70's show (who's name escapes me), though he's not really a kid anymore.

Man, Toby McGuire is kind of pint-sized in real life, when I saw him on the Daily Show, he and John Stewart we about the same size.

I'm not a super-hero fan, but I saw 2 by default as I like to go to drive-ins, and it was double-billed with something else I wanted to see more. I thought it was as good as these things get, but I'll probably only see 3 under the same circumstances.

I like that kid from the 70's show (who's name escapes me), though he's not really a kid anymore.

Man, Toby McGuire is kind of pint-sized in real life, when I saw him on the Daily Show, he and John Stewart we about the same size.

imo Spiderman never portrayed Peter Parker as a big guy

In the Marvel Universe, Spiderman is supposed to be 5'9 to 5'10 at best. He's supposed to be a small, nerdy type guy. And McGuire is one too, not much acting necessary there really.

The reviews are crashing. 64% now, with only 45% from The Cream Of The Crop (respected well known reviewers). Not looking good. It will have a big opening no doubt, but not the kind of return business that gives you the billion dollar take they were expecting. The first two Spidermans combined for a global three billion dollars. I think this will fall way short of expectations, though it will make money. What the heck was Raimi thinking?!

I watched the movie and I really did not like it. Having enjoyed the first two films, I found this one to lack good pacing while some ideas of Raimi's funny were downright ridiculous. Almost too Xena for me at times. What got me the most though was that they messed up Venom. Venom is like Darth Vader in the Spiderman universe and he comes off as a weeping wimp in the movie. Most of the times at least.

And don't get me started on how Bryce Dallas Howard was wasted in this film. I could go on and on but I'm too pissed off at the movie to go on typing.

Howard Stern loved it ... that's good enough for me. Can't wait for it to come out in HD...

I'm going to rent and watch Elektra or Batman Forever to lower my overal expectations of comic book movies before I see this. I was originially going to watch the first two Spider-Man movies... but I figure if I go in after watching a pos like Elektra it will make Spider-Man 3 the best movie I've ever seen.

I'm going to rent and watch Elektra or Batman Forever to lower my overal expectations of comic book movies before I see this. I was originially going to watch the first two Spider-Man movies... but I figure if I go in after watching a pos like Elektra it will make Spider-Man 3 the best movie I've ever seen.


Geeze why not just go see a good movie? ;)

All the bad reviews is good for Spiderman3. It lowers the expectation, which leads to more satisfied fan of the series. It is not bad actually, just not the masterpiece everyone is expecting it to be.

I'm not expecting much of the film given all of the junk they tried to stuff into it, villains included. Why is it that with every sequel of a superhero film there have to be more bad guys than in the last one?

Spiderman 5: Spidey versus the whole planet?

Why is it that with every sequel of a superhero film there have to be more bad guys than in the last one?


I hate that trend in Superhero films too, I rather they just develop one supervillian more in each film.

To me it's a symptom of catering to the shorter attention span of audiences nowdays.

Spoiler below.... warning... read at own risk...


I can understand why they introduce so many of them. In the last fight, it is 2 against 2. They want to make it a team fight. Kind of make the fight bigger. This also adds to the plot that shows the relationship between spidey and harry.

If its just sandman, i think could be boring. But then they should give more meat for venom. I thought he is supposed to be one of the super villain in spidey world but he became quite an "insignificant" villain, born and vanish in last quarter of film.

use spoiler tags please

like this

My boss said it was a pretty good movie but wasn't great when compared to the first two.

I still plan on seeing it, and the lower my expectations, the more I will enjoy the movie.

F&$%ING stupid critics, it was a very good movie

I'm not expecting much of the film given all of the junk they tried to stuff into it, villains included. Why is it that with every sequel of a superhero film there have to be more bad guys than in the last one?

Spiderman 5: Spidey versus the whole planet?

This is my exact worry for this film.

BTW, I do appreciate the spoiler tags, as I wasn't able to line up a babysitter until Sunday. :D

Most of the fun of the first two movies for me was watching the villian develop. Well, when you triple the amount of villians but have the same running time to work with, the movie will probably suffer.

After seeing how bad this movie actually is...it might be a BAD move for SONY to use the same "3" for PS3 and Spidy 3. Bad acting (the theater actually LAUGHED during Mcguire's serious acting!), bad writing, bad script, bad direction, bad editing...its just BAD.

Hopefully Fantastic 4 will not fall into the same traps that this film did.

After seeing how bad this movie actually is...it might be a BAD move for SONY to use the same "3" for PS3 and Spidy 3. Bad acting (the theater actually LAUGHED during Mcguire's serious acting!), bad writing, bad script, bad direction, bad editing...its just BAD.

Hopefully Fantastic 4 will not fall into the same traps that this film did.


The first Fantastic 4 was a disaster, a complete failure and a disgrace to the comic book movie genre. Hopefully the second one won't be as humiliating as the first one.

I don't know about the "comic book community". I know I loved the Fantastic 4 as a kid (cartoon, coloring books, puzzles, etc.) and I personally like the 1st movie. It wasn't X-men, but it was not a disaster by any means at all.

It had a decent story that introduced everyone and how they came to be. Provided the relationships needed. Had enough goofiness not to take itself too seriously, but not too much. It also didn't feel the need to be all dark and tortured (as seems to be the new trend with superhero movies) Its a good, solid, fun film that set-up well for the future. Whether or not it performed well is a different issue entirely. There are plenty of very good solid films that don't perform well at the Box Office. And vice-versa plenty of BAD movies that do well.

It was sure better than Hulk and Daredevil (those would be my definition of disaster). And personally I can rewatch this more times than Superman Returns and Batman Begins. Not many people will agree, but Superman was nothing new or exciting for me and Batman was good, but not as great as everyone makes it out to be. Sometimes I just want a fun movie and that's what F4 was. Superhero movies are supposed to be fun!