Spider-Man: No Way Home, Defining Peter Parker

Prior to it’s release, Spider-Man: No Way Home has undoubtedly been the subject of more theories, debate, hope, doubt and overall anticipation than anything cinema has offered in the 21st century. Although, in a world chuck-full of intergalactic warfare, magic, espionage, and ultra-advanced technology known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sometimes it’s hard to imagine a grounded friendly neighborhood Spider-Man sliding into the mix. How can something with so much buzz both get to the root of Peter Parker and fit into this massive world in an engaging and sensical way? Maybe it's through activating "instant kill mode".

All jokes aside, it’s no wonder that The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s iteration of Spider-Man has been the butt of so many “Ironman Jr” jokes. After all, Peter Parker's onscreen essence has always been about struggle. For some, it’s not so easy to get behind the idea that a boy who has virtually indestructible nanotechnology and the Avengers at his disposal would be struggling with much of anything. It sounds like he's fairly lucky. Unless of course said kid’s identity is exposed to the world, framed and painted as a menace. Now, the boy who has “everything” is not only overwhelmed by the burden of heroism, but also must answer for a crime he hasn’t committed. Does that sound lucky? No, Peter Parker is anything but lucky, everybody knows this! This has to be the greatest way imaginable to torcher the Peter Parker of this universe. Twisting the fame of being an Avenger, into the notoriety of a villain. Oh, and take away his secret identity so he there's no hiding from it, can't forget about that. Though Peter was able to get out of a sentence, to quote the wise Matt Murdock, “You still have to deal with the court of public opinion” which is indeed the true antagonistic force that drives this film in its first act. Now not only has Peter’s life been socially destroyed, but this event has also directly impacted his friends. When you’re a known member of Spider-Man’s pit crew, there's no escaping the wave of controversy that accompanies it. A controversy of which that just so happens to be a deal breaker for every University, be it Ivy League or not. And Peter being good ol' Peter, has to do something about that. Of course, it is at this point that the film really starts to get interesting.

Since science and reason are no longer tools for solving this problem, Peter turns to the only other thing he thinks can help. Magic. In full MCU fashion he meets Doctor Strange, in hopes to change the course of events. Strange begins to cast a spell that will erase the secret identity of Spider-Man from the entire world. However... the spell goes wrong. Peter interrupts the spell five times in order to assure his friends would still know he was Spider-Man. This was the most selfish thing he did the entire movie. This. Wanting his loved ones to know what they've already known. His deepest and most life-altering secret. Evidentially, it doesn't work and as a side-effect of his naivete and a "botched spell" this universe is now housing some multiverse visitors. Five more people who know his secret identity, are super-powered and have a not-so-friendly history with Spider-Man.

After a few epic battles and some franchise meshing banter, the visitors are all apprehended and sent to their mystical cells. Strange appears with a solution; he can send them all back. The only catch is, several of them are marked for death soon after their return home. For Strange, this doesn't change anything. He claims “it is their fate” and persists to finish the ritual with his new spell powered cube contraption. For Peter, it changes everything. Remembering May's words: “is it really what’s best for them, or is it what’s best for you?”, he takes the leap into selflessness. Spider-Man listens to the best sense he's got for this one, his heart. He grabs the cube from Strange and the two get into an altercation in the mirror dimension. Here’s the kicker, Spider-Man wins! With Dr. Strange stuck in the mirror dimension, the ball is in Peter's court. With the help of his best friend Ned and girlfriend MJ, he sets out on his moral mission to cure the multiverse misfits and change the course of their ill-fate. With all of the villain icons onboard, it's hard to imagine what exactly could go wrong, right? Well, a lot. A lot could go wrong. Specifically, the Green Goblin.

Havoc ensues as the Green Goblin incites an intimate riot against the weak, dividing the villains, and obliterating confidence both in Peter's plan and of the building's structure. If being battered for trying to help wasn't enough, Green Goblin assures Spider-Man; "no good deed goes unpunished.", and proceeds to send his glider into Aunt May. In her final moments, May assures a regretful Peter that he made the right choice. More importantly, she exclaims: “With great power, there must also come great responsibility.” BOOM. It happened. This is Peter's Uncle Ben moment. Devastated, he takes to the skyscrapers. Listening as Jameson jabbers on with his baseless slander. Dragging the good name of Spider-Man through the mud. In ultra captivating neon-lit cinematography against a raining sky we see a dripping Peter Parker, who for the first time ever, might actually believe what he is hearing...

Following the film's most melancholy moment, the sling ring proves once again that it is the gift that just keeps on giving. Like magic, (because, it is) a ray of hope emerges. In this case two rays. The two iconic, live action Spider-Men of the past return in all their glory, giving the fans exactly what they wanted. Thankfully, their arrival brings more than just fan service. After becoming acquainted with the friends of of the Peter Parker of this far off world, the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man knows just how to find him. Metaphorically speaking, he's been there before.

As Ned and MJ embrace a broken Peter Parker, finding him on the isolated rooftop of his choosing, the other two Spider-Men offer guidance. Unfortunately, the Peter Parker of this world is not so open to suggestions. Filled with rage, regret and self doubt...accepting defeat is imminent. He has had enough. After all, he was only trying to help. But with great power, comes great responsibility and giving up isn't an option. This is a multiverse constant. The Spider-Men know that. Gwen Stacy. Uncle Ben. They've all been there. After repeating May's words back to the young Peter Parker, the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man remarks, "Maybe she didn't die for nothing, Peter".

With a newfound sense of hope, the plan resumes. The three Spider-Men, Ned and MJ concoct the instruments necessary to cure their former foes and head out for the final attempt at salvation, at the newly renovated statute of Captain America, I mean Liberty. After some much appreciated, reference packed, quirky small talk between the Spiders... the final battle begins.

After curing 4 out of 5 of the misfits, proving to Doctor Strange that he can save everyone and turning foes to friends, it seems as if things are finally going well for Spider-Man! Wait, just kidding. Green Goblin. Not-so-good ol' Gobby manages to ruin the moment once again as he destroys the cube, effectively ruining the last chance at getting everyone back to their universes. Not to mention, attempting to murder MJ... Peter didn't like that. Not one bit. In fact, if it wasn't for the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, Peter would have helped The Goblin meet his fate sooner, piercing the glider through his chest himself. But after all, isn't that why the other Spider-Men were there in the first place? To set Peter on the right path, and right their mistakes?

Outside of their redemption individually, the two returning Spider-Men had one true purpose. To make this Peter Parker the Spider-Man that he needed to be. The Spider-Man that we all know and love. Shedding all of the fancy technology and sorcery. Through compassion, understanding and most importantly, responsibility. He's fought their bad guys, he's saved their bad guys, he's been taught their mantra. Although, the glory cannot be given entirely to them. Once again a Spider-Man film finds it's beautifully poetic irony done in the best way it's ever been.

Peter Parker makes the biggest sacrifice of his life. Entirely selfless and indescribably upsetting. He trades everything he has ever had, his loved ones, his achievements, his identity. Just so those very people and so many more can keep living, in happiness. And he does it twice. He's made the sacrifice to fulfill his responsibility. Now he's on his own. He stands alone, broken but with a heart full of love. A Love that burns only due to knowing... that he made the right decision. This forgotten Peter Parker, is the definition of Spider-Man.