Video games based on movies usually hurt themselves by following the movie script to closely. A movie shouldn't have to be an excuse to make a Spider-Man game nor should the script be the only path to follow. "Spider-Man 3" tries to have the best of both worlds — follow the script and then create a new sub-plot only to lose any sense of cohesion.

The combat system isn't unique to "Spider-Man 3." It's far too similar to the original Spider-Man games and the ability to hold down the left shoulder button to dodge attacks makes an already easy game easier. When you hold down the shoulder button Spider-Man goes into a near "Matrix" style slow-motion fight sequence. It's not a bad feature — if it were limited in some way to make it more of a privilege rather than an automatic way to beat every enemy, including bosses. "Spider-Man 3" lends itself to button-mashing. The bosses don't add much joy to the game, either. It's a lot of running around, hitting a boss once or twice, hiding and repeating the same sequence a few dozen times.

The best aspect of Spider-Man is webbing your way through New York City. Sometimes it's more entertaining to swing around the city doing nothing but sightseeing. One new addition is the ability to go to the map, click a point, and get there quickly. Another bonus is that you aren't forced into mini-missions in order to finish the game. If you want to extend your playing experience then try your hand at the mini-missions but they aren't very satisfying. Spider-Man wasn't meant to be a member of the bomb squad, so why does he spend so much time disarming bombs?

THE GRAPHICS: "Spider-Man 3" doesn't prove itself fit for a next generation console like the Xbox 360. The graphics leave a lot to be desired. New York City looks great from a distance, although its not much different than the Spider-Man 2 version with a little gloss. There are moments where you might awe at a sunset over the city and other moments when the camera gets lost and you can't tell what is going on.

Vertigo seems to be part of "Spider-Man 3's" theme as the camera can get a bit quirky. Upside down, right-side up — it doesn't matter as you find yourself adjusting the camera far too often.

Any living thing, other than Spider-Man, looks outclassed by other next generation games. Characters did not animate well nor do they look remotely like anything human. Even for comic book characters they look odd. If you look past the animation you can't get past the major issues of collision detection. Enemies walk into everything and get hung up on things that don't appear to be there. Spider-Man, as super as he may be, isn't immune to getting stuck on an invisible object. It's hard to web sling your way past figments of a computer's imagination.

THE AUDIO: Bruce Campbell, as your sarcastic narrator, adds an element of humor — even if it doesn't fit the game. A nice bonus is the voice acting done by the stars of "Spider-Man 3": Toby Maguire, Thomas Hayden Church, James Franco, Topher Grace, and J.K. Simmons. When it comes to ambient sound New York City comes off as a ghost town.

THE WRAP UP

THE PARENT'S TAKE: "Spider-Man 3" is rated T for Teen, based on violence and animated blood. There is mild language that parents might not want kids under 12 to hear. If your kids saw the movie you know what to expect.

FINALLY: Being a superhero should be a lot more fun. Spider-Man swinging his way through Manhattan trying to save the world has its moments of bliss. It's when your feet hit the ground that Spider-Man turns into a super bore. "Spider-Man 3" offers about 12 hours tentative pleasure.�