Hollywood is expecting a blockbuster summer, and this weekend marks the season’s first mano-a-mano smackdown between huge film franchises. Enter the green ogre against the red-and-black, web-slinging record-holder.
Bringing sexy back (not really)
‘Shrek the Third’
An into-himself Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) stops mid-song to do a slo-mo toss of his blond locks. The original “SexyBack” guy, Justin Timberlake (left), voices the hero Artie.
‘Spider-Man 3’
An into-himself Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) succumbs to the dark side and struts the street like he’s in “Saturday Night Fever.”
Topher Grace (right) plays sleazy — but he’s oh so sexy.
The vital aspect
‘Shrek’ trilogy
The value has always been the animation itself, the details in exploding tufts of feathers (“Shrek”), the artfully rendered strands of hair on Artie, Prince Charming and Puss in Boots (“Shrek the Third”).
‘Spidey’ trilogy
The best moments have always involved discovery: Peter Parker realizing the extent of his spidey-powers (“Spider-Man”), the swirling grain-by-grain formation of Sandman as Flint Marko (“Spider-Man 3”).
Worldwide box office
‘Shrek the Third’
$484.4 million (“Shrek”)
$920.66 million (“Shrek 2”)
TBD (“Shrek the Third”)
‘Spider-Man 3’
$821.7 million (“Spider-Man”)
$783.76 million (“Spider-Man 2”)
$629.25 million as of Monday (“Spider-Man 3”)
Stunt casting
‘Shrek the Third’
The voices of Cinderella’s ugly stepsisters Doris and Mabel are provided by Larry King and Regis Philbin.
‘Spider-Man 3’
Horror movie stalwart Bruce Campbell plays a maitre d’; Spidey creator Stan Lee is a man standing in Times Square.
OVERALL WINNER
‘Spider-Man 3.’ Justin Timberlake gives “Shrek the Third” some cred, but Spidey fighting three villains? Neither a princely ‘do nor a huggable green ogre can top that action.
