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Critics have agreed that the MCU Spider-Man trilogy is better than Sam Raimi’s previous ones. But did they make the right call?
With so many Spider-Man films being released over the last two decades, there’s been a lot of debate about which cinematic trilogy about the web-slinging hero is better. Fans of the films might not be able to agree, but the critical consensus is that the Jon Watts trilogy starring Tom Holland is superior. And with the addition of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the MCU’s trilogy has an average score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, while Sam Raimi’s films are rated slightly lower with an average of 82 percent. However, the drop in average score in the original can be blamed entirely on one of the films performing badly.
The first Spider-Man film was a solid superhero film that explained Spider-Man’s origin. It also introduced important characters in his story, such as Mary-Jane Watson and the Osbourne family. Tobey Maguire had the right looks and endearing qualities to play Peter Parker, but Willem Defoe stole the show as the cartoonishly menacing Green Goblin. Spider-Man: Homecoming took a different approach by dropping the origin story completely, which was a good choice. It would have been a drag to see Peter get his powers for the third time, so the film explained it quickly in one sentence. It was also a fun introduction to a beloved character, and Tom Holland is so charming in the role that it’s hard not to enjoy his portrayal of Peter.
It’s not often that a sequel outshines the original film, but Spider-Man 2 is undoubtedly the highlight of Raimi’s trilogy. The characters have more depth, with Peter, in particular, struggling to balance his personal life and his responsibilities as a superhero. His desire to do the right thing was an important theme, and the action sequences between Spider-Man and Doc Ock surpassed those of the previous film. Meanwhile, Spider-Man: Far From Home is the weakest film in its trilogy but still has a score of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The illusion fight sequences were a really entertaining way to tap into Peter’s fears and insecurities while also showcasing his strengths. However, the plot focuses too heavily on Peter potentially filling Iron Man’s shoes, leaving little room for his own story.
The third Spider-Man film is the point where Raimi’s trilogy fails miserably. The film introduced three new villains, a love triangle, and a corrupted Spider-Man as obstacles for Peter. The new characters and multiple subplots make the film feel disjointed. Many critical reviews of Spider-Man 3 share the view that the film was overambitious and far too long. Shockingly, the first appearance of Spider-Man takes place 34 minutes into the movie. Peter’s relationship troubles and addiction to fame take up too much time and make him somewhat unlikeable.
In contrast to the previous film, Spider-Man: No Way Home excels at both paying tribute to previous generations of Spider-Men and tying up Peter’s story. While Spider-Man 3 struggled to manage three villains in one film, No Way Home makes use of five villains in creative ways. This is partly because it didn’t need to introduce each villain’s origin since most people watching the film would be familiar with them already. The film also highlights Peter’s most important characteristic — his moral compass. Peter is a good kid who genuinely wants to use his abilities to help others.
So, the critics made the right choice. Jon Watts’ Spider-Man trilogy just beats Raimi’s because it provides a consistent and entertaining storyline. This version of Peter is captivating and sweet, and his story can be enjoyed by a larger audience than the more mature Raimi films. Raimi’s trilogy started really well, but the third film was so bad that it’s become something of a joke. No Way Home, on the other hand, takes things seriously and honors different generations of the hero by showing love and respect. No one should disregard the legacy of Raimi’s trilogy, but it’s safe to say that Jon Watts’ Spider-Man trilogy is a fun balance that does a better job of hitting its mark.
To decide which trilogy is better, Spider-Man: No Way Home is in theaters now.
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