Marvel’s hype seems to be dying down. The novelty of characters fans never thought they’d see on the big screen has worn off. The cinematic universe is no longer experimental, and worse attempts have slowly killed enthusiasm for the idea. MCU films require more than the brand name to sell themselves.Spider-Man: No Way Homewas a massive event. That made the experience unforgettable but left an at-home viewing slightly less enjoyable.
Many have explained how the death of the home video market hurt movie studios.They still make billions, but if they don’t make more than last quarter, that’s a perceived failure. Streaming killed movie sales, so every project needs to make its money back at the box office. That incentivizes making every movie an event.No Way Homewas one of the most memorable examples.
What still works inSpider-Man: No Way Home
The Spider-Men
The presence of all three live-action Spider-Men was the central selling point of the film. It was rumored for years, then paid off spectacularly. SeeingTobey Maguire and Andrew Garfieldback in the suits was fun, especially since their franchises ended on down notes. The joy of their appearances is seeing three takes on Peter Parker interact. Tobey’s Peter is older and more experienced. Andrew’s is strangely emotionally vulnerable. Tom’s is still wide-eyed and excitable, like he’s been dying to talk to someone who relates since he got his powers.It’s a wholesome friendshipthat culminates in the simple pleasure of teamwork. It could’ve just been a marketing angle, but the writing helps Peter, Peter, and Peter work every time.
The Villains
Along with the Spider-Men, returning villains delivered excellent performances. Jamie Foxx’s Electro was an engaging idea marred by an abysmal script, so his appearance inNo Way Homeis far more compelling.Alfred Molina’s Otto Octaviuswas excellent in 2004 and no worse for wear in 2021. Villains that were weak in their initial appearance received fresh spotlights. Antagonists that still pop up in retrospectives enjoyed a second chance to shine. A film with five foes couldn’t give ample screentime to all of them, butNo Way Homemanages to fix or flaunt every enemy they bring back.
The Action
Not enough fans talk about the fight scenebetween Doctor Strange and Spider-Man. It’s one of the finest fight scenes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it’s just dropped into the second act ofNo Way Home. Almost every encounter in this film delivers stylish Spider-Man action that exploits the countless angles provided by the cast. It’s not as varied asInfinity WarorEndgame, butNo Way Homeregularly pulls off moments that would feel at home in those massive events. Peter Parker is an endlessly entertaining character to watch. His powers are unique and visually compelling without becoming abstract enough to lose tactile impact.No Way Homehas a few excellent action scenes that make every watch feel like the first.
What doesn’t hold up inSpider-Man: No Way Home
The Cameos
Dropping characters from other corners of the MCU and beyond works, but their appearances have a unique problem.Obtrusive, awkward applause breaksaccompany their first shots. The most jarring example comes when Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker comes through a portal into Ned’s house. He takes off his mask and stands silently for what feels like an hour. It’s stunningly uncomfortable. Why isn’t anyone saying anything? This moment was a little much in a theater, but the at-home viewer is confronted with the reality of whom the film was made for. It’s a rough moment.
The Ending
The conclusion ofNo Way Homeis the worst part of the movie. Many viewers notice the problem during their first viewing, but it’s impossible to miss it on a rewatch. Why does Peter Parker need to delete his identity to fix the multiverse? It doesn’t make narrative or emotional sense. It feels exactly likeOne More Day,the comic book eventin which Parker made a deal with the devil that involved deleting his marriage. In both cases, the new status quo didn’t work for the writers, so they invented an absurd justification to change it. The film’s treatment of MJ is considerably worse. It doesn’t work for her character and makes Peter look like a monster. Every rewatch drives home the sad business-first reason for this terrible ending. It’s a shame to see a fun film conclude so poorly so that two companies can continue fighting over their action figures.
Spider-Man: No Way Homeis still one of the most entertaining superhero movies on the market. Sitting down to live the event again won’t be as satisfying as the first in-theater viewing, but it’s still excellent. Gather some friends, pop some popcorn, and hold aSpider-Manmarathon. Try to find some folks who haven’t seen it and give them their first experience with it. Anyone who wants to watchNo Way Homein their home will be sad toknow it isn’t on Disney+. They’ll have to get a Starz subscription or pay a few bucks to rent it. Either way,Spider-Man: No Way Homeis still a fun watch. Just try to enjoy it sparingly. There’s no way of knowing when Peter will come back.
