Peter’s Good Intentions in No Way Home
Peter makes quite a few mistakes throughout No Way Home. He does have good intentions for every decision he makes.
When he approaches Dr. Strange, he wants everyone to forget Peter is Spider-Man. The wish isn’t for his benefit. His identity clearly impacts the lives of Aunt May, Happy Hogan, MJ and Ned. During the spell, he starts pointing out which characters should know his identity which causes the spell to backfire.
After capturing the villains later in the film, Peter learns that all of these people are fated to die fighting their Spider-Man. Dr. Strange decides to send them back to accept their dire fates. After a fantastic scene with Aunt May, Peter disagrees and fights Dr. Strange to try to save these villains. Peter gets the upper hand and works with the villains to solve their problems. His desire to save people who are clearly criminals shows how good of a person Peter is.
All of these decisions come with consequences for Peter. These decisions pay off in surprisingly emotional and satisfying ways.
A Villainous Quintent
Norman Osbourne serves as the main antagonist. While Electro is certainly hostile as well, it’s not until Norman turns that everything goes south for Peter.
Dafoe was the best part of 2002’s Spider-Man. He’s even better in this film playing the dual-personality of Norman and Green Goblin. There’s a true sadness when Norman is just Norman and a pure menace when Goblin takes over his mind. The action scenes between Goblin and Holland’s Spider-Man are intense.
Molina as Doc Ock is given a redemption arc. Peter works to fix the inhibitor chip, which malfunctioned in the Spider-Man 2. Electro is much better in Now Way Home than in Amazing Spider-Man 2. Foxx is able to make Max Dillon a cool character that’s clearly struggling against his desire for more power. Foxx’s portrayal is far more realistic as well.
Lizard and Sandman are just kind of there. Peter’s working to cure their proclivities as well, but the focus is definitively placed on the trio of Doc Ock, Green Goblin and Electro.
The interactions between all of these villains are great. Especially when it dawns on them that they were about to die when they were transported to this new world. While it’s not a huge focus, there’s also a sense that these villains would be better off in this new world. The best example is Electro who could use Tony Stark’s arc reactor technology as a constant source of tremendous power.
Spider-Men
I’m not going to spoil what happens in the finale of No Way Home. However, it’s impossible to discuss this film without addressing Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield‘s presence in this film.
They are in the film and not just in a cameo fashion either. Garfield, in particular, is outstanding. Holland gives the best overall performance in the film, but the runner-up is Garfield. His introduction to MJ and Ned is hilarious. Garfield’s Spider-Man was the best with quips and he’s a consistent source of humor here as well. Few actors channel sadness and pure emotion like Garfield can. There’s a moment with Garfield and Zendaya that is beautifully acted by both performers. No Way Home is further proof there are plenty of stories to tell with Garfield’s Spider-Man if Sony wants to explore that direction. If you’re considering Mile Morales, Garfield’s universe would be the perfect fit.
Maguire maintains the aw-shucks manner from the Raimi trilogy. He serves as the elder statesmen here which fit Maguire fine. There are moments when Holland and Garfield will aim barbs at Tobey’s Peter Parker. Tobey just shrugs it off or accepts their barbs good naturally. There is a hilarious conversation over where Tobey’s Peter Parker keeps his web fluid, which is wonderful.
The end of No Way Home certainly served as closure for Maguire’s Peter Parker. While No Way Home does serve that function for Garfield, there seems to be more room to navigate moving forward.
No Way Home Final Thoughts
Spider-Man: No Way Home is a remarkable accomplishment. Combining nearly 20 years of on-screen Spider-Man lore into one film shouldn’t work. However, with Holland as the film’s star and Watts at the helm, No Way Home never loses sight of the Peter Parker story.
The Review
Spider-Man: No Way Home
PROS
- There isn't a better MCU performance than the one Tom Holland gives here.
- Willem Dafoe as Green Goblin/Norman Osbourne is terrifying.
- Marisa Tomei shines as Aunt May.
- Michael Giacchino's score.
- The theme of responsibility hangs all over the film.
- Great action sequences and special effects, which you come to expect from Marvel. The de-aging of Molina and Dafoe is the best its ever been.
CONS
- Magic comes too easily for Ned.
- If Lizard and Sandman weren't in the film, nobody would bat an eye.
