Spider-Man Trilogy Forced Holland’s Spidey to Grow Up and Boy

Remember that wide-eyed teenager from Queens who was just stoked to be recruited by his idol Ironman to steal Cap’s shield? Peter has come a long way from there with No Way Home being the pinnacle of his coming-of-age saga.

I thoroughly liked MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy because it centers around this young adult who is still figuring out his way around a somewhat fantastical world.

(I still get amused at how in the first two movies, Peter is more concerned about his curfew and crushes than his encounters with the bad guys.)

Homecoming: First Solo Mission

What sets it apart from other MCU films is that it is very grounded — It’s never been about Spider-Man, the superhero. But more about Peter Parker with his schoolwork, raging hormones and attempts to fit in with his peers, who also happens to be a superhero.

Homecoming was Peter’s first real tryst with crimefighting without any supervision. While the stakes are not “end-of-the-world” high, they’re enough to make Peter realize he’s not ready to be a superhero and declines Tony’s offer of joining the Avengers.

In his own words, he chose to be the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, because “somebody has to look out for the little guy, right?”

Far From Home: Betrayal

Peter, who is fresh off the events of Endgame and Tony’s death, tries to resume his normal life. But even being at the forefront of the battle against Thanos could not have prepared him for what was coming.

Mysterio was a much worse enemy because he posed as Peter’s friend.

I’d even go as far as saying he was a temporary replacement for Tony and prospective mentor. But his tactics further led Peter to believe he’s still not ready to be a superhero.

The betrayal hits even harder when Peter realizes his blind trust has made a dangerous narcissist even more powerful. When he does manage to stop Mysterio, it is not lost on him that he is able to remedy the situation only within an inch of his skin.

But not for too long…

No Way Home: Great Sacrifice 

The cascading events of FFH result in Peter’s ultimate loss in No Way Home.

I would have to say I was quite surprised when Peter’s first instinct was to send back all the villains because mending their wrongs was not his responsibility. This instinct is mature in light of all the pain, misfires, and backstabbing he’s been through.

But at his core, Peter’s moral compass is his greatest weakness and strength.

Erasing his identity is a colossal sacrifice. But a bigger one is Peter being forced to grow up and accept that he cannot fix everything; being kind is not a viable solution.

It’s even more heartbreaking that he gives up trying to remind MJ and Ned of who he is because he feels undeserving of a place in their lives.

The Spider-Man Trilogy has toughed up young Peter — a troubled past behind him, a daunting new start, ahead.

Still, I cannot shake off Peter’s contagious zeal that I first saw in him in Civil War. I know it in my heart that he’ll face the dreary future with the same vigor.

About Spider-Man: No Way Home

Spider-Man: No Way Home is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. It is intended to be the sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home.

The film was directed by Jon Watts and stars Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man. He is joined by Zendaya, J,B. Smoove, Jacob Batalon, Marisa Tomei, Jamie Foxx, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Alfred Molina. The film is not yet available for streaming on Disney+ but the BluRay package is set to arrive March 22.

It will pick up from the events of Spider-Man: Far From Home whose ending revealed Peter’s Spider-Man identity to the world. Numerous villains from previous movies such as Doctor Octopus and Electro are also set to return.