Review: Spider-Man: No Way Home

With the release of the much anticipated final part in Tom Holland's Spider-Man "home" trilogy, and with rumours and speculation of surprise twists and appearances circling for months, I thought it appropriate to cover here, even though my reviews of new releases are few and far between. So, did it live up to the worldwide hype that it generated?

Following the revelation at the end of Far From Home, Peter Parker's identity has been revealed to the world, and he has been branded a murderer. Consequently, his life and the lives of those around him are turned upside down due to the fame and allegations, so he turns to Doctor Strange for a mystical solution to his problems. This goes awry, though, and soon visitors from different worlds attack New York, all with their shared hatred of Spider-Man...

Well before I begin, I'd like to sum up my thoughts on the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) and the previous two Spider-Man films to provide some context on my thoughts going in. Generally, my thoughts are mixed, with some entries, like Iron Man, The Avengers, Captain America : The Winter Soldier being able to impress me endlessly with their musical scores, stories and characters all giving this awesome sense of adventure, drama and action, while Black Panther (a fairly controversial opinion), the Thor and Ant-Man films all feeling underwhelming and hollow - not bad or unwatchable, but leaving no real impact beyond the immediate fun of special effects and quippy humour that wears thinner with each new entry - described by others like the fast-food or theme parks of cinema. Cheap and cheerful, but will leave you sick after too much.

Captain Marvel was a film I found very difficult to watch considering its use of all the worst qualities of the Marvel formula, combined with a propagandistic and dislikeable protagonist and the bastardisation of longstanding character Nick Fury. Following this one, I've become more cynical of each new film, stopped giving Marvel the benefit of the doubt, and decided only to watch films I have confidence in being at the very least entertaining. For this reason I haven't seen the last three films Black Widow, Shang-Chi or the Eternals, along with the TV shows, as I got the sense from the trailers that they don't offer anything for me that I haven't already seen in better films.

That is very much where I lie now. I was just a child when this film series started, so films like the Avengers really resonated with me like so many others. However, I think that this made the franchise a victim of its own success, since consequent films struggled to come up with new concepts and stories became bland and repetitive, failing to take the risks that made Iron Man so good to begin with.

When Spider-Man came into the fray, this wasn't much different. In Homecoming, Peter Parker's motivation came from trying to impress Tony Stark (Iron Man), while facing a villain motivated by Stark's work and in a high-tech suit designed by, you guessed it, Stark. Far From Home had Peter Parker attempt to live up to Stark's legacy, while again fighting an opponent disgruntled by Stark, all while under the wing of MCU veteran Nick Fury (played by Samuel L Jackson).

This made Peter Parker feel quite passive, never really stepping into his own despite Tom Holland's best efforts. His films were never bad - far from it, they were some of the stronger Marvel films of recent years with some great comedic work and moments that captured the childish vulnerability of a teenage superhero (I'm thinking specifically when he gets pinned under the rubble in Homecoming, crying out for help before finding the strength to lift it himself). But they were too safe, leaving it open to comparisons to the previous Spider-Man films and conclusions that they lacked the heart of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's portrayals.

So, when the trailer released showing the return of classic villains like Doctor Octopus and Green Goblin and Electro, it naturally peaked the interest of fans from every era of the character, myself included. It also offered the hope that some of the MCU clichés could give way to the more heartfelt, character-defining stories of the character's past. So, cynical as I am of current Marvel, I went to the cinema excited.

I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed.

This story rectifies all the issues of the past two films- Peter Parker is his own agent, making his own decisions and dealing with their consequences. The final twist in Far From Home that reveals his identity to the world is followed up nicely, isolating him and his friends from the rest of the world, and (mostly...) the help of other heroes. This alone puts his character in a much more satisfying place than before, not being led around by other, stronger heroes or leaning on other, better films even with later appearances from them, sometimes from the strangest and most unlikely of places.

Additionally, side characters like Ned, MJ, Happy and Aunt May all have more to do now, each being more likeable and active, and ultimately less cartoonish for the sake of cheap Marvel laughs. They are more at risk than before, and like Peter they now have things to lose - friendships, futures, even their own lives, making for a much more evocative and investing story that feels much more in line with the Spider-Man we know and love from past iterations. Even characters that had previously rubbed me the wrong way like Zendaya's 'MJ' won me over as a result, and I'm really happy that she and the others got to reach their fullest potential here that they couldn't before.

As for the villains from older films, well it can be said they are a little rough around the edges considering they are much older, resurrected with digital effects and at times made me wonder if some were replaced with different voices (which would make sense considering some of the tweaks and redesigns), it was hugely nostalgic to see Willem Dafoe and Alfred Molina back as The Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus respectively, performed fantastically that seemed as if they had as much fun filming as the audience had watching. Even villains from The Amazing Spider-Man like The Lizard and Electro have their redemptions here, becoming more like their comic counterparts in appearance and being more menacing, along with clearly having some real fun returning. If this film celebrates the successes of the past, then it also went out of its way to rectify some of the shortcomings, something that could easily have been ignored or omitted, a well executed risk that feels oddly wholesome, and giving us a glimpse at what could have been in TASM (The Amazing Spider-Man) films had things been less chaotic during their creation.

Being essentially a film crossover, there was some worry that the plot would become wild and unfocused, relying on pure fanservice, but I think a strong balance was struck here. Tom Holland is still the focus as he should be, but there was also plenty of dialogue, either being call-backs or straight up repeats to those past films, and I enjoyed all of it. I was grinning from ear to ear for a good 60% of the film, either due to the ambitious scope, hilarious interactions of characters I thought long-gone or being in utter disbelief at what I was seeing. I only hope other franchises don't try to copy this, as like what the Avengers did for big-budget superhero team-ups and cinematic universes, the crossover will become a trope that gets worse with each hollow attempt to copy it.

I would be lying if I said the plot was air-tight. By introducing the mystical elements of Doctor Strange with a character that relied on the relation of ambitious scientists, experiments gone amok and startling new technologies, it did create a slightly jarring contradiction. That, and the complexities of a vague magic system left for more than a little confusion as to what would happen and how, but these problems never detracted from the tight experience that No Way Home delivered in terms of Peter Parker's journey, marking a transition from the Tony Stark poster boy to what I feel is the MCU's best possible interpretation of the character.

Where does it fall in comparison to other Marvel films? It's difficult to say, but it is up there, in at least the top five, beating Avengers: Endgame for me, but not quite as great as Iron Man. I think it is Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Avengers Assemble level quality, but with nineteen years of history culminating in a truly miraculous level of content and emotional investment.

It's hard to separate my admiration and respect for this film and give it an objective mark. I think there are some flaws inherent in the Marvel formula, and while they don't come out too much here, I think a few more moments of seriousness toward the start could have really helped cement the radical change in Peter's life. All in all though, this film gets highly recommended from me, with a 9.5 out of 10.

9.5 OUT OF 10

SPOILER SECTION

Ok, so I really liked the idea that the Spider-Man controversy causes chaos to Parker's life - the news coverage, the polarised opinions on him, all of it felt oddly believable. We are all familiar with the ideas of a crazed paparazzi encroaching on the lives of those who reach a certain level of fame, and in recent years seen how controversy can lead to rejection by society, and even businesses and institutions that should remain impartial to such things, a unique way to ground the story as it begins where it could have easily flown off the rails.

It also resulted in the surprise cameo from Charlies Coxx as the lawyer Matt Murdock, otherwise known as Daredevil. Being a big fan of the show, it was awesome to see him return, even in a small capacity. And being a small cameo, he didn't have to be drastically changed to fit a family friendly film from his gritty, hard-hitting Netflix series, something I always feared should Marvel get their hands on him.

The problems of the films plot emerge with the introduction of Doctor Strange's spell - its intention to make the world forget Peter Parker is Spider-Man. Firstly, Strange later admits that it would be akin to brainwashing the entire planet, so why he would choose to do it morally? Secondly, why would he begin casting it without having first laid it out with Peter. He rushes in with casting it, only for Peter to quite rightly want those who knew before to remember, so when it all goes wrong and Strange blames that on Peter altering the spell, most of the responsibility, and consequently the events of the film and their ramifications on Parker's life going forward, unintentionally goes on Strange, making what should be an intelligent person appear arrogant and careless when they wield to power to know much better. The Lizard/The Sandman also never died in their films, and Electro never knew the identity of Spider-Man before he died in TASM 2, so the criteria for being summoned by Strange's spell is a bit skewed for convenience. Additionally, there is a portal inconsistency later on with Ned calling someone's name with the "sling ring" to open a gateway to them, something that would have been very useful to Strange in the events of his own film and Avengers: Infinity War).

Aside from those though, the plot was very tight, with character motivation pushing it forward more than world ending doomsday devices. It all felt personal to Peter no matter how wild it got, something key to holding a story like this together. He is driven by the compassion to redeem the villains, since many of them were the victims of their own experiments, and in their right minds and without powers they wouldn't be acting like they were. Part of me appreciates that, since them becoming villains were tragic turns for them, but that was also what made their deaths compelling, and defined Peter's life in those continuities - so I can actually see Strange's perspective as well. Their fates as they should be were for them to die. Needless to say, this dilemma is presented, and Peter makes his choice, fighting and besting Strange in order to go about fixing them before sending them back, making him the driving force in his film as he should be, unlike in his previous MCU appearances.

Willem Dafoe and Alfred Molina really steal the show when they appear, repeating some of the favourite phrases like "I'm something of a scientist myself" or "The power of the sun in the palm of my hand". On the nose, yes, but you'd be lying if you said you didn't enjoy it.

Additionally, by pitting these villains against Tom Holland's Spider-Man, we get to see their charisma and terror through fresh eyes - like when Holland's Parker fights Goblin, repeatedly punching him only for Goblin to respond with crazed laughter, something that Dafoe makes horrifying despite the silliness of the character. I'm really glad he could return for it despite his character dying nearly twenty years prior. He is also the one to kill Aunt May, pushing Parker to the breaking point. It is good that it is him to do it, as the other villains, while compelling, can't be quite as maniacal or brutal, putting a human face on the violence the villains inflict. My brother and I only wish that May had gone out like Goblin in the first film - impaled by the glider, since it would have been a tragic parallel, and despite being hit by it and being caught in the blast of an explosion, it's not entirely clear what kills her - shrapnel presumably, but it would be nice to have some clarity. As she dies though, she does give the "With Great Power..." line, which again, would have been a little more fitting if Maguire's Spider-Man had said it, truly passing the torch from the old the new.

Speaking of which, this is when Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire's versions of the character appear, brought through like the villains, but united by Ned and MJ. I think we all knew this was coming - either by the leaks going on for months or the inclusion of their respective villains, but I would be lying if it wasn't a moment that made the cinema gasp in shock and really surprise you as to the ambition of combining them all in one film. They are both clearly older, but return to their roles as if they never left, as if gleeful at the chance to return in such a faithful way. Maguire's Parker was the one people would first associate with Spider-Man, being the first, so it is incredibly nostalgic to see him return, and while people likely don't think too highly of the two TASM films, Garfield's version is considered to be very underrated, being perhaps the best in-costume portrayal of the character, with the comedy and seriousness both on point, and it being a real shame he had to work in the constraints of such messy films. So, to see him here once again was more than welcome.

They serve to bring Holland's Parker back to the goal of curing the villains after his earlier defeat, restoring his faith in himself, Maguire through mentoring him and teaching him what he learnt through his perseverance, and Garfield through sympathising with the losses he felt and urging him not to make the mistakes he made. The three of them are onscreen together through almost the entire final act of the film last 30-45 minutes, and that is plenty enough to satisfy, each of them bouncing off each other naturally. Waiting for the villains to show up, they share their experiences - the villains they've fought, the way Maguire's organic webs work, it is the Marvel style of humour, yes, but there is something behind it, like three old friends recollecting on good times rather than looking for cheap laughs. I didn't tear up in the film, but I honestly wouldn't blame you if you did all things considering.

Each of them fights the villains, curing them one by one and taking the time to reconcile with each of them - Maguire with Doctor Octopus, who helped out since he was cured earlier, and Sandman, both men he had huge respect for, and Garfield with The Lizard and Electro, who he felt he could finally do right. I remember Electro in TASM 2, and the tragedy is that he was a good guy who was wronged and confused, blaming on his hero, so to see him live, talking on good terms with him was very heart-warming. Goblin is the last one left, and he throws MJ off a ledge. Garfield is able to save her, doing what he couldn't with Gwen Stacy in a beautiful moment, like the finale of the very first film, the final fight concludes with a slug-out between him and Spider-Man, this time Holland's version, vengeful over the death of May. Maguire stops him from killing him, making up for his own actions after the death of his Uncle Ben, and Goblin is also cured.

However, Strange's spell was broken, and the fabric of reality was tearing apart - another would have to be made - rather than the world forgetting Parker is Spider-Man, Holland makes the terrible choice that the world forgets Peter Parker altogether. Reality is saved and his identity is once again hidden, but now all who knew him have forgotten him. He decides not to reveal himself to them and repeat the mistake of putting them in danger, much like Maguire choosing not to be with MJ in the first film, and moves into a new apartment, much like the one in Spider-Man 2, and making his own suit without relying on Stark technology or help from other, powerful forces. He is changed, wiser, more world-weary, but with the resolve to be nonetheless Spider-Man.

As I mentioned above, there are many fantastic call-backs that are woven into the narrative subtly as well as explicitly - the decision to sacrifice Peter Parker for Spider-Man, the battle with Green Goblin, the tough call to not be with those he cares about, the apartment. This is far more than just fanservice at this point - it is a rich and detailed understanding of what makes Spider-Man who he is - what he lacked before, and what he should be. It is sad to see him lose so much, but that is what separates him from the other heroes, and what makes him arguably the best hero of all time no matter the personal cost. No matter what he has to give up, he find it in himself to keep on going. Just when I thought Marvel how to achieve that, here it is. So, if this is the last MCU film I watch, I'm able to leave on one hell of a high note!

UP NEXT

Season 3 of Doctor Who (I'll only go up to season 4 - don't worry!). In the meantime, what did you think of Spider-Man: No Way Home? Did it live up to your expectations? Am I too cynical on the ongoing Marvel films and series? Are there any more Marvel films or latest releases you would like me to review in the future? Please let me know in the comments below.