Review of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) by Chromate — 17 Dec 2021

With so many high expectations being placed on this film, my first thought was that there was no way to avoid any disappointment. Leading up to the date, I constantly had to remind myself that if it didn't live up to my expectations, that didn't make it a bad movie. When talking about expectations, I'm sure many of you can infer that I am talking about the alleged cameos of Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire. Being that the Spider-man trilogy, and 'The Amazing Spider-man' movies are my favorite superhero movies of all time, and are held so close to my heart, I don't think I could've been more excited to see if the old Peter Parkers would come to life on screen once again, presumably for a last time... Thirty minutes into movie, then an hour, and still no Garfield or Maguire. Once again, I reminded myself that there was a large possibility that they wouldn't be in it. And that's what's great about the film. Even though the rumors were loud and hard to avoid, somehow I still didn't expect it.

Seeing Ned open the first portal, though, and a Spider-man at the end of a dark alley took my breath away. As the figure walked closer I turned to the person sitting next to me, making eye contact-- unspoken knowledge of what could be happening. As it step through the portal, the theatre was already getting antsy. And as he took off his mask, revealing it truly was Andrew Garfield, not some decoy, the audience erupted into cheers and applause. This specific moment is one why this movie is so good. It connected the audience in a way that I've never happen in a movie theater-- let alone with a movie-- before.

To be honest, the only critique I have of this film is that it's clear that the idea of bringing back the prior actors who held the title of "Spider-man," and their villains came before the idea of making a third movie to Holland's trilogy. Possibly more avid Marvel or film fans would have an issue with this, but it's one that can be brushed off easily, just by the fact that they were able to execute that intertwining of three different universes so seamlessly. It was seamless, but also intentional. Writers knew what they were doing, building on to the characters by filling in the audience in about what has happened to them since we last so them on screen, and referencing things that we know about them already. One of my favorite details was that when Tom couldn't save MJ from falling, Andrew was at the ready, scooping her up and saving her. You can see in his eyes the way that he wishes he could've done that for Gwen. It felt like he could finally get closure, which was very refreshing. It was also so engaging seeing the way that the three Spider-men explored their counterparts, learning things about each other that made the audience roar with laugher every single time-- it's the most I've laughed in a movie that was not a comedy. This was great because there has always been something about Holland's Spider-man that's felt lacking, at least for me. Because he was apart of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's like he was less of who Spider-man is supposed to be. With him able to bounce off of the two actors who have defined Peter Parker and Spidey for viewers, it's highlighted the strengths and Spider-man qualities of Holland's version. And in the end, when he makes his own suit, moves into a small apartment away from billionaire mentors, follows up on neighborly spider-man-like crime, and finally lets his loved ones go to keep them safe-- it's like we've come full circle. It's just the perfect way to end a series. I've wracked my brain thinking about any comment I could make to make this movie not a 10, but I honestly can't think of a single one. So glad they didn't disappoint. (P.S. Andrew Garfield definitely deserves some more recognition for all the lying he had to do prior to the release... hilarious.