Spider-Man: No Way Home

This is an article “Spider-Man: No Way Home” by Marc Primo

Release date: 17 December 2021 (United States)

Director: Jon Watts

Language: English

Production companies: Columbia Pictures, Marvel Studios, Pascal Pictures

Producers: Kevin Feige, Amy Pascal

SPOILER ALERT: Marvel cinematic universe (MCU) fans have been waiting for another offering from the celebrated franchise that is at par with 2019's Avengers: Endgame. After 2021 releases Black Widow, Shang Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, and Eternals made decent box office results, Spider-Man: No Way Home lives up to its billing as the biggest MCU film in two years.

With Peter Parker seemingly next to the Tony Stark throne as the quirky relatable superhero, most fans expect the MCU's phase four as the first step towards an even bigger Avengers assembly in the coming years. Thanks to last year's Disney hit television series, WandaVision, The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, Loki, What If?, and Hawkeye, Marvel purists pretty much have a good idea of what's coming.

For the first major film release from the MCU, Spider-Man: No Way Home may just be the biggest one of all its movie franchises ever. Tom Holland reprises his role as the friendly neighborhood web-slinger, reviving his team up with Zendaya as Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson.

The big thing that keeps fans at the edge of their seats is the five villains slated to appear on this particular installment, providing hints of a multiverse similar to what fans saw on Loki's first season.

A tangled web of brilliance

Based on how the trailer generated over 38 million views, Spider-Man: No Way Home is as crucial as any MCU movie can get. For every element put into the entire 148 minutes, it's safe to say that fans will get their Christmas money's worth on Spidey's big-screen return.

However, absorbing everything that's happening on the screen may be a bit challenging for fans who haven't seen the previous Spider-Man movies. From when Tobey Maguire took the lead, followed by Andrew Garfield's take, and eventually Tom Holland's current portrayal, this latest offering somehow knits bits and pieces of those parallel universes into one giant epic.

It's not difficult to notice how the writers meticulously studied the backstories that inspired No Way Home and opened up more opportunities for the MCU. There's a tidy script and easy-to-follow plot for true blue Spider-Man fans that's quite rewarding.

So, it would be wise to view the previous films first before seeing them on the silver screen so you can join those in the back who are cheering every surprise appearance or reveal.

A well-oiled film

For the clueless, No Way Home welcomes back such high-profile villains from past films, including Dr. Octopus/Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), Electro/Max Dillon (Jamie Foxx), Lizard/Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans via voice-over), Sandman/Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church via voice-over), and of course, The Green Goblin/Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe).

And for his rather unpleasant treatment of Peter, let's not forget editor-in-chief J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons).

Add to the cast returning MCU characters Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Aunt May Parker (Marisa Tomei), Harold "Happy" Hogan (Jon Favreau), Wong (Benedict Wong), and Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon), and you have a star-studded cast that is as close to rivaling any Avenger movie.

As for special appearances, just think about how the multiverse works, and you'll get two more surprise crossover characters on the list.

Fans who failed to watch the previous Spider-Man movies are still in for some high-octane entertainment. However, to fully appreciate the great lengths that the filmmakers led by Jon Watts, together with writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers have taken for this one, a revisit is in order.

From the impressive action-packed scenes that fuse physical stunts with well-planted CGI, the emotional cues, the wacky humor, down to the well-chosen lines that genuinely pack the punches, Spider-Man: No Way Home succeeds in carrying the torch, presenting itself as the perfect vehicle that will bring the MCU to greater heights.

Crossing over to the multiverse

Those who saw 2018's Into The Spider-Verse know how the multiverse goes. Considering every character development and quickly familiarizing yourself with both new and old characters allows you to enjoy pondering what could be next for the Spider-Man franchise. And the truth is, it's anyone's guess how this year's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) will perform at the box office after No Way Home.

Watts, who also helmed the first two installments, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home, shows fans his dark side in this latest update. Viewers will still feel that unique and modern New York vibe from the first two films, but it also easily transports you into the multiverse faster than Thanos can snap his fingers. Somehow, there's also the same feel of the first two film franchises, which weaves everything perfectly.

The story continues from where Far From Home left, wherein Peter Parker is now a huge superhero celebrity constantly hounded by the media for his alleged murder of Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhall). In short, life hasn't been easy for young Peter and is just about to get more complicated when he turns to Dr. Strange.

Once the multiverse opens, fans can relive how Doctor Octopus and The Green Goblin wreaked havoc in Spider-Man's world from Sam Raimi's previous takes. The visual magic will undoubtedly keep viewers glued to the screen, though Watts leveled the CGI down a notch compared to the first two films.

What fans can welcome are the action scenes and real stunts that make up for the lack of CGI charm. There's also how Peter can finally make use of his spider-sense represented in comic books as the 'tingles.' As things turned out, we really haven't seen all the Spider-Man trump cards laid out yet.

Crawling towards something bigger

As fans on social media debate who the true Spider-Man G.O.A.T. is, Holland doesn't fail to give justice to Peter Parker's more mature persona. His iteration is able to present more powers than what viewers are used to seeing, including his smarts and emotional capacity.

The rest of the cast also deserves pats on their backs, as do the writers for cohesively melding past and present elements for fans' appreciation. It was no easy feat by any means, but actors who reprised their roles, including Molina and Dafoe, put the 'action' in ‘satisfaction’.

Zendaya also brought the love factor that makes the multiverse go round in this one, displaying such chemistry that makes viewers believe they are watching the actual Peter and MJ.

Spider-Man: No Way Home probably deserves more than a single viewing to ensure that no easter eggs are left unturned, especially for those who follow the MCU closely. Whatever happens next is undoubtedly worth the wait. In the meantime, fans can thank the film for continuing the same top-notch standard they got from Avengers: Endgame.

Many might say this is the best Spider-Man movie yet, but from how things are shaping up with the introduction of the multiverse, there's no doubt this phase four blockbuster is just the start of bigger things to come in the MCU.