For higher or worse, every of the totally different “Phases” of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has had a purpose for its varied movies to try for. The first introduced our disparate heroes collectively, whereas two and three confirmed them fracture and ultimately reassemble for a saga of infinite proportions. Because nothing may actually stand in opposition to the facility of a worldwide pandemic, 2020 threw Marvel’s plans for Phase Four out of whack, and in some instances, out of order. But if the present crop of content material for 2021 and Spider-Man: No Way Home, particularly, inform us something, it’s that Phase Four is extra fascinated with stroking Marvel’s personal ego than the rest.

No Way Home’s latest trailer lastly gave us our first actual take a look at the various villains of Spider-Men previous. The most curious of this insidious near-sextuplet aren’t basic foes like Doc Ock and Green Goblin, however the decrease rung of cinematic Spidey baddies: Electro and Lizard from the short-lived Amazing duology, and Spider-Man 3’s Sandman (and probably New Goblin). With ex-Spiders Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire additionally perhaps ready within the wings to allow them to get in on some Keaton-like final hurrahs, it’s clear the intention is to present these outdated villains and potential heroes an opportunity to “get it right.” Such an goal has loudly hovered over the Marvel and Sony joint custody like a bizarre odor, and No Way Home represents essentially the most bare try at this but. And in contrast to with comics, there’s no actual phantasm of change, only a confidence bordering on straight-up vanity, that it will possibly skate by on giving followers what they’ve been demanding and poorly photoshopping for 3 years.

With the world having collectively mentioned “no thanks” to Amazing 2, the 2 firms determined to begin from scratch with Holland because the “proper” Spider-Man. “They can do Spider-Man right,” so many mentioned again in 2015 when the deal was introduced as a result of he was lastly “coming home.” That Marvel has oversight over its greatest A-lister was cause sufficient for followers to take the corporate’s facet in the course of the 2019 custody struggle with Sony, lest we’ve no extra crossovers or references to different Avengers. (Keep in thoughts, this got here after the success of each Spider-Verse and the unique Venom, and it’s now funnier since Venom 2 has executed fairly dang good as properly.) And positive, the primary two Home movies are strong and Holland is kind of good in them as each side of Peter. But the excessive factors of these films can’t cover how superficial the notion is that these movies outclass their quick predecessor. Two solo films and three crossovers constantly spotlight how extremely toothless this Peter is in comparison with those that got here earlier than him, and even those he proudly stands beside. Anything like character growth or an overarching assertion about who Peter is—as has been granted to his different trilogy veterans like Tony Stark and Steve Rogers—are nowhere to be discovered right here.

On its personal, it might be a bitter however tolerable tablet to swallow, nevertheless it’s half of a bigger Marvel development of overcorrecting to the purpose of desperation. Wandavision wanted to do the work to make that relationship really feel actual in a manner the Infinity Saga positive as hell didn’t, however even in its greatest moments, Black Widow seems like a late, awkward apology. Shang-Chi making the Mandarin a tragic determine—who simply carries the entire movie—was wanted, as was bringing again Iron Man 3’s fake Mandarin to mock, however holding Trevor round for the remainder of the movie felt like a studio attempting to have its cake and eat it too. Even if well-intentioned, these moments come off as goofy at greatest, or at worst needlessly self-congratulatory.

It’s all “for the fans”: a phrase that’ll put on out its welcome lengthy earlier than the Fantastic Four and mutants formally enter the fray. Under the Marvel Studios banner, these reboots received’t be capable to assist themselves in redoing previous occasions and reusing characters that weren’t as favored in Fox’s fingers. Sure, you lastly get Doctor Doom the best way you need, and Galactus isn’t a cloud once more, however is it value having to take care of an eventual third go on the Phoenix Saga? (If we’re already uninterested in seeing the Waynes being shot, that’s received to be an in depth second or third by now.) Do you need these characters you grew up with to be given a greater hand, or do you simply need to convey them up with out having so as to add caveats, as prequel-era Star Wars followers needed to do up till pretty just lately? When the studio is excessive by itself bullshit is usually when it’s at its worst, and people two properties will see them so excessive they’ll be touching Mars.

There will certainly be some enjoyable in watching the three Spiders and perhaps different multiversal guests combating the beta model of the Sinister Six. But in the intervening time, it doesn’t really feel like No Way Home exists to additional Peter’s story and even actually rejoice the historical past of Spider-Man as a personality. It feels extra like Marvel lording over Sony that Marvel Studios get the reward and adoration for together with these beforehand used characters and villains and never the corporate who simply occurs to at the moment personal the rights. And in the event that they’re going to get right into a dick measuring contest, the least they might do is have it behind closed doorways.

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