‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ is an origin story for the perfect Peter Parker

Major spoilers ahead!

How Marvel righted a wrong

Through 8 live-action solo movies spanning nearly 20 years, starting with 2002’s Spider-Man, there is a belief that we’ve had yet to capture the ideal iteration of the superhero.

Tobey Maguire was a natural as a dorky, introverted Peter Parker, but lacked the playfulness and ‘oomph’ that defined the Spidey persona. Andrew Garfield defenders would say he’s the GOAT, but he was just way too cool to be a nerdy outcast.

Tom Holland is the one that came the closest, if only he weren’t Iron Boy Jr, propped up as the MCU’s successor to their flagship superhero, Iron Man, the one who started it all.

In a way, Holland’s Peter became the victim of a studio’s separation anxiety. After ten years of character development, Marvel had to let go of Tony Stark, Robert Downey Jr. in 2019’s Endgame. They then leaned heavily on Tony’s prodigy for familiarity, both for story and audience purposes.

Marvel outfitted Peter with elements from Iron Man’s arch, such as access to the former’s tech and his best friend, Happy Hogan. Hell, even The Vulture and Mysterio, the first villains of the trilogy, were byproducts of Stark’s actions.

There was a distinct lack of trust that Spider-Man, the late Stan Lee’s magnum opus, a character more iconic than Iron Man in every conceivable way, couldn’t stand on his own.

Thankfully, Marvel came to their senses.

Who is Spider-Man?

Stan Lee once saw Spider-Man’s relatability as the key to the character’s success. ‘Perhaps the main reason was the “I could relate to him.”. He was shy, wasn’t that successful with girls, and worried about his family. I think most teenagers reading it thought to themselves, “Hey, that could be me!”. There certainly was that identification’.

This ‘everyman persona’ was missing in an otherwise picture-perfect turn from Tom Holland.

His Peter Parker isn’t a social leper like Tobey’s or a cool skater bro like Andrew’s. Tom is refreshingly average, which is what Peter Parker is. He’s likable enough to have friends. He’s good enough to perform well in school.

But it’s hard to relate to him when Iron Man swoops in to save a ferry full of passengers when Peter fudges up. Or when Peter mishandles a robbery and blows up a city block without reprisal. Or when Happy arrives in a jet with a magic machine that can craft any Spidey suit he needs.

There is a lack of consequence and independence to Tom’s Peter Parker, which goes against what makes the character so memorable. Peter Parker is broke, has a mediocre job, his relationships are constantly under threat, and STILL, he continues to be Spider-Man.

Peter Parker is captivating, not because everything works in his favor, but because he will always do the right thing, despite the enormous toll it takes on his life.

No Way Home crafts the perfect Spider-Man

In No Way Home, the theme of personal sacrifice for the greater good is prevalent. It is the missing ingredient that pushes Tom Holland as the Ultimate Spider-Man (pun-intended) in our eyes.

Peter could’ve easily left the villains to their demise but chose not to, leading to Aunt May’s death. He decides to let the universe forget about him to fix his mistake, losing everything and everyone that matters to him in the process. He grieves, ends up broke and alone in a flimsy apartment, but still returns in a Spider-Man suit of his own making.

This undying spirit is what makes Peter Parker great. Not the gadgets, money, or connections to the Avengers. No Way Home is an origin story that reboots a Spider-Man that lost its way into one that looks to be the best version of the superhero yet.

Can’t wait to see more.

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Source: we the pvblic