*Warning: Article Contains Spoilers.

Before the trailer was even released, fans everywhere said that Spider-Man: No Way Home would be the most anticipated and greatest movie of 2021. After seeing the movie, myself and many others can confirm: it was spectacular. The movie had you on the edge of your seat from the second it began to the last credit rolled. 

Many fans hypothesized through leaked photos and rumors that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield would be returning as their own Spider-Man characters. The pair denied allegations, but then again they are really good at their jobs. They obviously returned, shocking fans who even saw it coming. The scene was one of the best in the film, with Ned Leeds, Peter Parker’s best friend, summoning them through portals, just as Dr. Strange does. 

Andrew Garfield was an incredible addition to the film. He brought his Peter Parker to life in a way we have never seen before. Andrew’s Peter made references back to his own films, mentioning his Uncle Ben and girlfriend Gwen Stacy. Andrew Abizker ‘24, is a huge Marvel fan, seeing the movie 3 times! He’s also a huge Andrew Garfield fan, hoping he comes back for more Spider-Man action. “Seeing Andrew really hyped up the movie and brought it to life. It would be really exciting to see him get his own Spider-Man 3 movie and I think any Marvel fan can agree with me. He added a more comedic feel to the character that was stronger than in his previous two movies, and I think every audience member can say they enjoyed that.”

Tobey Maguire also brought a great sense of humor to the film. When he entered into the film, he was wearing a very casual outfit, much opposite to Garfield, whose suit was already equipped. Garfield’s Spider-Man was quick to make fun of it. “Are you going to fight dressed as a cool youth pastor, or did you bring a suit?” He asked Maguire. To answer, he flashed his suit under his “cool youth pastor” outfit. 

Maguire’s return brought something completely unique and much unlike Garfield’s return. He brought a more sarcastic humor and was the “dad” presence among the three.  

Holland, Garfield, and Maguire shared a scene with each other discussing the battles and villains they’ve fought, essentially comparing war stories. After comparing, the trio swung off in an epic sequence to fight the villains, causing viewers everywhere to go wild with excitement. 

With the past two Spider-Man coming back, of course their respective villains made their returns too. The lineup included: Green Goblin, Doctor Otto Octavius, Sandman, Electro, and the Lizard. All of the characters did a great job with their re-ups, but Willem Dafoe, also known as Green Goblin or Norman Osborn, put on an incredible performance that stuck out the most. He was so in tune with the character, it was truly captivating. It was Dafoe’s first time playing the character since the early two thousands and he didn’t skip a beat getting back in tune. 

Among the incredible returns, there was a brand new guest appearance in the film. Matt Murdock, also known as Daredevil, made his first MCU appearance. Portrayed by Charlie Cox, the character was presented as Peter Parker’s lawyer. Although the scene was short, the effect was very large.  

Charlie Cox has his own Netflix series, titled Daredevil, also appearing in other Netflix-exclusive Marvel media, such as The Defenders. This character appearing in the MCU essentially made all of the Netflix shows canon in the main Marvel timeline.

As much as the introduction of the Netflix shows into the Marvel universe are important, significantly more important is what Spider-Man: No Way Home is setting up for the future of Marvel media. 

There were two end credits scenes after Spider-Man: No Way Home. The first end credits scene came as a huge, but nevertheless exciting shock for Marvel fans. 

If you saw Venom: Let There Be Carnage, you saw Eddie Brock and Venom were victims of the tampered spell that Dr. Strange cast. After No Way Home, Eddie Brock was sitting in a bar, when he was taken back to his reality post the reversion of the spell. When he was expelled, some of the symbiote that comes from Venom was left over in Peter Parker’s universe, potentially setting up a future Spider-Man vs. Venom battle. We first saw Spider-Man vs. Venom battle in Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man 3 (2007). It was an amazing fight, but how awesome would it be to see a Tom Holland and Tom Hardy battle?! 

Spider-Man: No Way Home also assisted greatly in setting up the upcoming Dr. Strange sequel. The character was a key part of the film, casting and un-casting a spell that tore open the multiverse. Obviously, the reversion didn’t work as well as he hoped it would, being that the second Doctor Strange film is titled Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Since the film takes place after No Way Home, it was only right for the movie goers to get the first chance at the inside look for the movie. The second end credits scene of the recent Spider-Man film featured the first ever trailer for the upcoming Doctor Strange film, presenting all sorts of things to look forward to. 

Lucas Specht ‘24 wasn’t a huge Marvel fan before seeing the movie, but No Way Home made him excited for what’s to come. “I really liked that they put the Doctor Strange trailer directly after No Way Home. It showed you what would happen after, which gave a lot of fans something to look forward to. I really hope to see Tom Holland’s Peter Parker in the movie, or maybe even the other two!” 

One of the best parts about No Way Home was that it represented Marvel media in a way we have never seen before. There has never been a collaboration or merging of timelines like there was in this blockbuster film. The surprise factor of the film was likely what led it to gain such success. The elements of the past and future of the enterprise helped make old Marvel fans renew their love for the films, and new fans to find that love.

Being one of the highest rated pieces of Marvel media ever, Spider-Man: No Way Home was a definite feast for fans and is something Marvel fans everywhere will always be thankful for.