Just got back from watching the masked vigilante known as Spider-Man! They've found my weakness...it's IMAX 3D.
The movie was awesome! The characters were more likable than those in the Sam Raimi trilogy, especially Spider-Man. About half of the movie was a re-telling of his superhero origin, but Marc Webb did it better. I connected emotionally with the story much more than I had anticipated. The were many humorous moments, and the action sequences and web-slinging bits were just off-the-charts cool. It's a very well-rounded movie, and exactly the sort of film that I love to see in 3D.
It was easy to tell that the IMAX cut is the definitive 3D version. The ~15 minutes of 1.90:1 are just visually stunning and enveloping. If you've seen the end of 3D trailer and been frustrated by the huge window violation created by the round drum falling off the tower, cheer up. In 1.90:1, it becomes a pretty decent pop-out.
The majority of the movie uses too safe, too conservative 3D, filmed with 2D conventions and an overuse of depth of focus. Expect a lazy depth script with 2D dialogue and 3D action sequences. Filming with 3D cameras provided perfect separation between objects, but they needed to increase interaxial distance to achieve realistic-looking proportions for more of the scenes. However, when they do crank up the 3D, it is on! The 3D stereography/cinematography is great during Spider-Man moments, especially toward the end. The POV web-slinging/launching and the sense of height looking down over the Manhattan skyline are just perfect. The Spider-Man/Lizard battles look incredible as well. Webb got the depth right for most action scenes, and he used floating particles for a great 3D effect in the final battle.
There were plenty of pop-outs to satisfy my taste in 3D (Some of them likely worked better in 1.90:1.). Pop-out count:
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) A hologram animation takes place in theater space, a few objects get hurled at the viewer, a car dangles out of the screen, a hand grabs at the viewer, and Spidey web-slings toward the viewer and then falls back into the screen (my favorite). There is a bit of a tease pop-out before the credits roll too.
Overall, I had so much fun watching this movie. I think it's a tie with Prometheus as my favorite for 2012.
Movie - 5/5
Stereography - 3.5/5
Depth - 3.5/5
Pop-out - 4.5/5
Dimensionality - 4.5/5
P.S. Stay for about 30 seconds after the initial credits for a hint at a sequel.