I hope to help you navigate these treacherous waters, through the thirteen sequels and/or re-makes of summer 2007, listed by the order of release.
'Spiderman 3' (released 5/4/2007): Necessary to see prior films. Director Sam Raimi has been crafting this story of young Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) - a talented student and fledgling news photographer who is bitten by a genetically altered spider and given superhuman powers - for the last two films. Parker’s relationship with his friends, family, and mentors have changed and evolved so much over the last two films, and now he must face a specter from his past, a former friend, and a new enemy who will channel the hero’s dark side. A must see.
'28 Weeks Later': Necessary to see prior film. The follow-up film originally made by director Danny Boyle, about a mysterious viral outbreak in Britain which has turned most of the islands population into blood crazed zombies. In this new film, the surviving population of humans re-builds civilization in the city, away from the threat in the countryside. The original star Cillian Murphy isn’t in the new film, but George Romero never had any returning characters in his 'Night of the Living Dead' series.
'Shrek the 3rd': Not necessary to see prior films. This release furthers the adventures of the loveable ogre Shrek (as voiced by Mike Myers) and his friends Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz). In the first film, Shrek came out the forest, fell in love with Fiona, and saved the day from a mini-tyrant. In the second, he's married Fiona, meets her parents - who do not approve - and must deal with more fairytale trouble and save the day. In this 3rd film, it seems Shrek and Fiona must be prepared to take over ruling the kingdom or find a worthy successor to Fiona’s father. A fun and amusing animated series.
'Pirates of the Caribbean - At World’s End': Necessary to see prior films. Johnny Depp is Captain Jack Sparrow, a brash, boastful, but enchanting pirate, who has steered his way through the last two adventures. Unfortunately, in the last film -'Dead Man’s Chest'- our hero seems to have been swallowed alive, and his crew must decide whether to risk mortal danger on the other side of the world, and enemies both real and mythical, to save their troublemaking captain. An enjoyable romp, that should be leading to a big conclusion.
'Ocean’s Thirteen': Not necessary to see prior films. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon are back with their gang for a new caper and a new threat compliments of Al Pacino. The first film was fun - and may help establish the characters, but the second tried too hard and may well be cast aside. Supposedly this will be the last film in the series. I hope it goes out with a bang.
'Live Free or Die Hard': Not necessary to see all prior films. The fourth story of super cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) takes place many years after the last movie. More terrorists must be dealt with and his daughter Lucy is grown up and needs to be saved. I suggest viewing 'Die Hard with a Vengeance' prior to seeing this one, since it was the other summer film in the series- and leave the earlier winter films for a different time.
'Evan Almighty': Not necessary to see prior film. Comedian Steve Carell from '40 Year Old Virgin' and TV’s 'The Office', steps into the shoes vacated by Jim Carrey, as another person granted the powers of God for a limited time, and Morgan Freeman returns as the 'big guy'. Since its not a true sequel - more a parallel story - it can stand on its own.
'The Transformers': Not necessary to see prior animated film. The live-action film by non-stop action director, Michael Bay ('Bad Boys', 'Armageddon'), is based upon the children’s cartoon and toys that can transform into vehicles. This will be an origin story for the giant robots who can transform into vehicles, and wish to save or destroy the earth. It will likely have spectacular special effects and may be the surprise hit of the summer.
'Fantastic Four; Rise of the Silver Surfer': Not necessary to see prior film. The super team must deal with a threat to the planet, from an interstellar visitor called the Silver Surfer. The first film -which did well at the box office - had mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. The return of Dr. Doom, in a more familiar guise to fans of the comics, should satisfy its core audience.
'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix': Necessary to see some prior films. This is the fifth film in the continuing series of the boy wizard Harry and his battles with the perils of magic, growing up, and the sinister wizard Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Based on the hugely popular children’s book series, which has its last book of the series being released this summer, the film will do well in theatres. Seeing four other films may be a bit much for any marathon, but at least the last two should be watched, which sets this story up.
'The Bourne Ultimatum': Necessary to see prior films. Based upon the spy thriller series by Robert Ludlum, this third and final story marks the return of director Paul Greengrass who crafted the first two installments. Matt Damon is Jason Bourne, a former government agent and assassinman who lost his memoryand tries to regain it over the course of the series. In this film, he has to continue to outwit and outmaneuver the very government who made him a killing machine and wants him dead. Bourne’s future, as well as his life, will likely be decided in this story.
'Rush Hour 3': Not necessary to see prior films. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker return for another installment of the unlikely pairing of a Chinese and American police officer, to solve international crime. A funny series with exciting martial arts stunts throughout, this will hopefully have a good enough story, with witty dialogue to justify a third film.
'Halloween': Not necessary to see prior films. It's a risky re-telling of a horror classic by blood and gore director Rob Zombie. Though the series had lost its way, I’m not sure a re-make by a relatively new director was in order. Still, it may be interesting to see what Zombie creates, and you can always rent the original if you don’t like it.