Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

9.1/10

Ever since Spider-Man has been in the MCU, a certain excitement for the new film has been on the rise for years now. Despite the pandemic situation, the story keeps the plot intact, and they have shared the social media spoilers for the film for a year now; How three versions of Spider-Man and Peter Parker are involved within the film, and at what and at which moment does this character join the film.

So, the rumours are true for the film. Both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield have joined Tom Holland as Peter Parker and Spider-Man. As you might recall from prior films, Maguire was Spider-Man in Sam Raimi’s trilogy and Garfield had two films. Films that took place twenty years ago and a decade, respectively. There are few moments in the film that really hit you in the gut, a gut-wrenching drama that has not been seen since Maguire in the Spider-Man trilogy. That’s good. But the cringe, comedic sensibility tone down the dark immersive spirit and reform the overall story to a balanced film. Even if the overall plot is predictable, there are a few surprises and some exceptional Marvel moments squeezed in, to please the even most stubborn fans.

The strong pros of the film are the acting of Willem Dafoe and Tom Holland. Holland has been a weak part before, but in this one, he brings the A-game. It’s a grown-up responsible Peter Parker we get to meet. No more winning like other films where he’s just a part of the plot and the writers are struggling to fit him in the story.

This film is a direct follow-up to Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) which initially ended with Mysterio revealing Spider-Man’s true identity. Right after, the story takes off, and the plot strengthens. The problem is with five villains is that feels not honest. It’s got chunky and distracting and the ending of the story becomes an anti-climax conclusion. It all ends well, partly, and the story continues in a different trilogy. What’s missed in this film, are the intensive Spider-Man fight scenes together with Mysterio. Even if we know the result and that movie has their flaw, I appreciate the intensive, intimidating fights than big, epic fights against several villains.

To be frank, it’s a kids’ movie and the hype for it is fairly overrated and unnecessary.