Director: Jon Watts

Origin and Release Year: USA (2021)

Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield

I don’t mean to start this review with an exaggeration, however, this was one of the best movie releases of 2021. Even box offices agree.

Spider-Man No Way Home had everything that a good film should. An unforced and romantic love line, stories about redemption, and even an on-screen reunion that we didn’t know we needed.

Tom Holland’s acting as Peter Parker was of its usual superior standard. I found myself frustrated with his way of thinking, which was exactly the point. Like Dr. Strange said, “I forget sometimes that you’re just a kid.”

Peter’s youthful naivety and desire to do well, fueled by teachings by his aunt, were the driving force of the film. He showed us his emotional conflict as he struggled between morality and saving his bad reputation.

Cue the redemption story. Peter’s decision to try and rehabilitate the villains that entered the universe because of him was selfless but simultaneously selfish as he had you frustrated wishing he would stop trying to be such a good person and just send the monsters back and clear his name.

This, however, ends up being the driving force of his character arc and brings us the best on-screen reunion we’ve seen in a while. Due to Ned’s toying with magic and newfound portal opening ability, we get to reunite with the previous two Peter Parkers (Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield).

I just want to give a personal shoutout to the scene where Andrew and Tom question the biological workings of Tobey’s web fluid, considering that he is the only one who gets it from inside his body. This was one of the many comedic highlights of the film.

I could go on forever, but at the end of the day (of course) Spider-Man gets his will to use antidotes on the villains and save the day. However, his sacrifice is the most noble.

BIG SPOILER ALERT!!!

In the end, to correct his wrongs he ends up wiping the memories of everyone he knows. Even though that includes people like MJ. Not only is the choice heroic, but it is romantic. I hope one day MJ will come to remember him.

What did you think of Spider-Man No Way Home?