Spider-Man: No Way You Can Miss It
March 18, 2022
Warning: this article contains multiple spoilers. Don’t read before watching the movie.
For those who may be living under a rock, Spider-Man: No Way Home recently came out in theaters, attracting millions of people to the big screen. Our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man has recently fought his biggest battle yet: college admissions. The whole stuff with the multiverse unleashing multiple villains against him was a minor issue. Okay, maybe not. Honestly though, we live in a sad world when Olivia Jade can get into a good college and Peter Parker can’t. However, it made for great entertainment.
For those who may be living under a rock, Spider-Man: No Way Home recently came out in theaters, attracting millions of people to the big screen. Our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man has recently fought his biggest battle yet: college admissions. The whole stuff with the multiverse unleashing multiple villains against him was a minor issue. Okay, maybe not. Honestly though, we live in a sad world when Olivia Jade can get into a good college and Peter Parker can’t. However, it made for great entertainment.
The movie takes place just after the fight between Spider-Man and Mysterio, which resulted in Mysterio’s death and the world now knowing that Spider-Man is actually teenage Peter Parker. (Good news though, the story takes place in 2024, which means that the end of the pandemic is near for us). As public enemy number one, Peter has quite a lot of legal issues to smooth out. However, he then comes up with a great idea to solve his problems: having Doctor Strange cast a spell that makes people forget that he is Spider-Man (seems reasonable, right?). Enter the multiverse, which opens to unleash various Spider-Man villains. The story then follows Peter as he tries to fight the villains and somehow create peace in the multiverse. After watching the movie, here is how I stand.
What I Liked
The obvious first success was the unification of the three Peter Parkers. Even though we were so greatly convinced by Andrew Garfield that he was not in the movie, I thought for sure that the three Peter Parkers had to be included. However, I got worried when time was passing by and nobody had traveled through the multiverse yet. Alas, Andrew and Tobey arrived and we then knew all was right in the world. Not only was this part of the plot fascinating and entertaining, it was also very nostalgic for long-time lovers of the Spider-Man character. The instant connection between the three Peters was lovely to witness. It also aided in bringing an element of closure for Tobey and Andrew’s characters by bringing justice to their traumas and aiding in using the characters to actually heal others rather than just killing off their villains. Andrew’s Spider-Man also had a sense of closure when he took the opportunity to catch MJ when she was falling. After falling short of saving Gwen, being able to save MJ and spare another Peter of the pain was a significant moment for him. Overall, I feel as though bringing the three of them together was a wonderful idea and was well executed.
The obvious first success was the unification of the three Peter Parkers. Even though we were so greatly convinced by Andrew Garfield that he was not in the movie, I thought for sure that the three Peter Parkers had to be included. However, I got worried when time was passing by and nobody had traveled through the multiverse yet. Alas, Andrew and Tobey arrived and we then knew all was right in the world. Not only was this part of the plot fascinating and entertaining, it was also very nostalgic for long-time lovers of the Spider-Man character. The instant connection between the three Peters was lovely to witness. It also aided in bringing an element of closure for Tobey and Andrew’s characters by bringing justice to their traumas and aiding in using the characters to actually heal others rather than just killing off their villains. Andrew’s Spider-Man also had a sense of closure when he took the opportunity to catch MJ when she was falling. After falling short of saving Gwen, being able to save MJ and spare another Peter of the pain was a significant moment for him. Overall, I feel as though bringing the three of them together was a wonderful idea and was well executed.
The movie also succeeded in including small but important details. The first one, of course,
being the really good lawyer. Although not everyone noticed Matt Murdock’s cameo, or if they did
they didn’t react (at least nobody in my theater did), it was exciting seeing another Marvel character
in the movie with a subtle role in the film. Another small detail that fans have noticed, which I loved, was how the multiverse Peters were introduced. Andrew Garfield’s character was introduced in his Spidey suit and didn’t elicit a reaction until he unmasked himself. Tobey Maguire’s character,
however, was introduced in his Peter Parker attire and brought a wave of emotion instantly. This
shows how Tobey’s Spider-Man is now more focused on being Peter Parker and living out his life
with MJ, while Andrew’s Spider-Man is more focused on his duties as Spider-Man after the loss of
his beloved Gwen, which I still don’t forgive the writers for, but that’s beside the point. We see this
detail emphasized later when all three Peters are in the lab and Tobey talks about how he and his MJ are working it out and Andrew’s Peter talks about his focus on his hero duties.
being the really good lawyer. Although not everyone noticed Matt Murdock’s cameo, or if they did
they didn’t react (at least nobody in my theater did), it was exciting seeing another Marvel character
in the movie with a subtle role in the film. Another small detail that fans have noticed, which I loved, was how the multiverse Peters were introduced. Andrew Garfield’s character was introduced in his Spidey suit and didn’t elicit a reaction until he unmasked himself. Tobey Maguire’s character,
however, was introduced in his Peter Parker attire and brought a wave of emotion instantly. This
shows how Tobey’s Spider-Man is now more focused on being Peter Parker and living out his life
with MJ, while Andrew’s Spider-Man is more focused on his duties as Spider-Man after the loss of
his beloved Gwen, which I still don’t forgive the writers for, but that’s beside the point. We see this
detail emphasized later when all three Peters are in the lab and Tobey talks about how he and his MJ are working it out and Andrew’s Peter talks about his focus on his hero duties.
I was honestly surprised that Doctor Strange was so quick to agree to help Peter by casting
the spell, but I was happy that he did and thought it was cool how Peter was able to defeat Strange
and temporarily hold him in the mirror universe. This small part of the movie was in fact significant
and thrilling.
the spell, but I was happy that he did and thought it was cool how Peter was able to defeat Strange
and temporarily hold him in the mirror universe. This small part of the movie was in fact significant
and thrilling.
I also greatly appreciate how the writers kept it true to the story of Peter growing up and
being in high school. Too many movies that are reboots of older stories are so forced and often end
being in high school. Too many movies that are reboots of older stories are so forced and often end
up terribly done. However, each version of the Spider-Man movies has been great to watch and
seem to continue an age-old story in a new and improved way.
What I Thought Could’ve Been Better
Now it is important to discuss what I didn’t necessarily like about the movie, even though I
honestly don’t want to. I know that Uncle Ben dying is a key scene in the plot of each version of
Spider-Man. Since Tom’s Spider-Man has no uncle Ben, it would make sense that Aunt May would
be the obvious replacement as a victim. However, her death still caught me off guard and upset me.
In my opinion, Tony Stark was Tom’s version of Uncle Ben. He didn’t necessarily raise Peter, but he
did play a very significant role in Peter’s life and was a father-type figure to him. Therefore, I feel like his death was already a devastating enough trauma for Peter and that having Aunt May die was a bit unnecessary. But I guess it makes sense for her to die, seeing as though she believes that with great power comes great responsibility (and every Spider-Man fan knows that death follows those who utter those cursed words).
Now it is important to discuss what I didn’t necessarily like about the movie, even though I
honestly don’t want to. I know that Uncle Ben dying is a key scene in the plot of each version of
Spider-Man. Since Tom’s Spider-Man has no uncle Ben, it would make sense that Aunt May would
be the obvious replacement as a victim. However, her death still caught me off guard and upset me.
In my opinion, Tony Stark was Tom’s version of Uncle Ben. He didn’t necessarily raise Peter, but he
did play a very significant role in Peter’s life and was a father-type figure to him. Therefore, I feel like his death was already a devastating enough trauma for Peter and that having Aunt May die was a bit unnecessary. But I guess it makes sense for her to die, seeing as though she believes that with great power comes great responsibility (and every Spider-Man fan knows that death follows those who utter those cursed words).
Another aspect of the movie that I felt was missing was the actual villains. Although we saw
moments with them on screen, such as them locked in the sanctum, them in Happy’s apartment, and them actually fighting the Spider-men, we never got to see them when they had left the apartment and went on plotting. I think it would have been interesting to see how they interacted with one another and how they planned to get rid of the Spider-men. I also feel it might have created more suspense. We seem to have missed a large chunk of screen time from when they left the apartment to when they showed up at the Statue of Liberty. However, I understand that it would have been difficult timewise to fit all of those extra scenes into the movie. Although, “Endgame” was three hours long, so I think it was totally doable.
moments with them on screen, such as them locked in the sanctum, them in Happy’s apartment, and them actually fighting the Spider-men, we never got to see them when they had left the apartment and went on plotting. I think it would have been interesting to see how they interacted with one another and how they planned to get rid of the Spider-men. I also feel it might have created more suspense. We seem to have missed a large chunk of screen time from when they left the apartment to when they showed up at the Statue of Liberty. However, I understand that it would have been difficult timewise to fit all of those extra scenes into the movie. Although, “Endgame” was three hours long, so I think it was totally doable.
I did not like the ending at first, of course, because I was really excited to see how Peter
would tell MJ and Ned who he was and how much he loved both of them. However, it didn’t take long for me to calm down and understand that this ending now opens up so many opportunities and
would tell MJ and Ned who he was and how much he loved both of them. However, it didn’t take long for me to calm down and understand that this ending now opens up so many opportunities and
possibilities for the upcoming Spider-Man movies. For example, MJ is still wearing her Black Dahlia
necklace (although she doesn’t know the truth about where she got it) and now MJ and Ned are
friends, whereas previously they were more friends by proxy.
necklace (although she doesn’t know the truth about where she got it) and now MJ and Ned are
friends, whereas previously they were more friends by proxy.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I give this movie a solid 4.7 stars out of 5. I feel as though the movie has received
petty and unnecessary backlash. A lot of people were quick to call it a cash grab or a glorified fan
fiction. However, I feel as though they executed the storyline well and brought to life a fascinating
story. It would be helpful to watch the previous Spider-Man movies in order to gain a better
understanding of the characters and the villains. However, it isn’t completely necessary, as the movie doesn’t require too much prior knowledge to understand on some level what is going on. I truly recommend this movie for everyone, even if you aren’t a huge Marvel fan, because it was amazing to watch.
Overall, I give this movie a solid 4.7 stars out of 5. I feel as though the movie has received
petty and unnecessary backlash. A lot of people were quick to call it a cash grab or a glorified fan
fiction. However, I feel as though they executed the storyline well and brought to life a fascinating
story. It would be helpful to watch the previous Spider-Man movies in order to gain a better
understanding of the characters and the villains. However, it isn’t completely necessary, as the movie doesn’t require too much prior knowledge to understand on some level what is going on. I truly recommend this movie for everyone, even if you aren’t a huge Marvel fan, because it was amazing to watch.
Loading ...