The official site's main page focuses on this point, presenting brief descriptions of the new characters being introduced in this third installment of the film series, as well as recap bios of familiar characters.
But beyond the main page, there are tons of info and activities here to engage film and comic fans alike. Moreover, there are features designed for multiple platforms and players, including PSP, iPods, desktop widgets, mobile phones and more. In the site's "Spider-Man 3" Movie Zone, the truly engaged can get more deeply involved in the "Spider-Man" mythos through games, info and tools like desktop skins that let them display their arachnophilia with pride.
Then there's the Movie Network, the members-only forum where users can generate, share and discuss content with fellow fans. By registering with the Network, fans get exclusive, first-look updates, webisodes, digital assets to design their own icons and skins, fan challenges and can even beta-test upcoming "Spider-man"-related video games.
-- Jodi Harris, managing editor, Entertainment Spot
Upon opening the page, I was barraged with a video and a title menu. Inside that menu almost every option links to another short video. I skipped right to the trailer section because that's what interested me first. However, even clicking a character's name renders a short video introducing that character. While this is engaging, at the same time it's a bit overwhelming and time consuming, especially for the few viewers who are not already well-versed in the story and characters.
Speaking of technology, this website has everything the internet has to offer: games, downloads of wallpaper, widgets, screensavers, a mobile section, blogs and video offered in a choice of full-screen, Quicktime and high definition. It also offers some exclusive, web-only content to entice users, like behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the stunt team.
The only thing that let me down about the site was the conspicuous absence of user-generated content. For example, the blog section, which I expected to be a forum for users, was actually just a series of video blogs produced by the franchise itself. After exploring for a while, I finally found a forum where users can post their thoughts; oddly enough, it was a bit of an online ghost town. Many users had responded to the video blogs in admiration of the film, but that's mere "Spider-Man 2" technology. After searching, I finally managed to find a place to submit user-generated webisodes. After navigating this monster, however, I think I will need to catch my breath before I break out my video camera.
-- Adam Shahbaz, assistant editor, iMedia Connection
The "Spider-Man 3" website has all the things that movie sites traditionally have: the trailers, the screenshots, the icon buddies, the blog, the DVD extras, et cetera. Check those off the list as mission accomplished. But I was left feeling a little bit like "American Idol's" Simon Cowell: overall it is good, and it has some great moments, but it didn't blow me away.
Now the opening is great, with its big visuals and full-sounding score. You get the cinematic, Spidey sense and feel… in a sense. But the way that the site introduces the characters is not deep enough. Movie sequels are all about characters -- especially the new ones -- so this is a perfect place to use the power of video to really engage viewers, not just present a few high-res images or quick animations. A missed opportunity I'm afraid.
I'm still going to see the movie though.
-- Matt Wright, director, online video strategy, HowStuffWorks