In a heartbreaking scene from No Way Home, Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of Peter Parker received long-overdue closure, elevating him to the title of finest Spider-Man.
There were several audience-pleasing moments in Spider-Man: No Way Home, but one of the most unexpected moments was Andrew Garfield stealing the show as the best Spider-Man in the film. Previously, Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of Spider-Man was panned by Marvel fans for being too cool for Peter Parker. In the long-conflicted Spider-Man’s comeback to the big screen, Spider-Man: No Way Home, the opposite was demonstrated.
Source: Marvel
Due to the cumulative guilt of Uncle Ben and Gwen’s deaths, Peter Parker was driven completely into darkness in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. He momentarily stepped down from his role as Spider-Man, and when he finally came back, he was a much harsher version of himself, showing that he had ceased holding back. Peter’s moral compass and any lingering innocence of a teenager after Uncle Ben‘s passing, were both obliterated by Gwen’s death. Peter’s view of himself also changed; he started to self-mistrust and think poorly of himself. To say that Gwen’s passing was tragic for Andrew Garfield‘s Spider-Man is an understatement.
Source: Marvel
In Spider-Man: No Way Home, it became evident that Peter #3 was still not himself as Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker was miraculously transported into the world Tom Holland‘s Peter Parker #1 called home. Especially at his weakest, he contributed a lot to the comedy in the film with witty asides and an overwhelming amount of jokes about himself, even by MCU standards. Before the dramatic last battle, Tobey Maguire‘s Peter #2 eventually gave Peter #3 a short pep talk and convinced him that he wasn’t the worst of the bunch, ending with a corny “You’re awesome” remark. It was quite ominous since later, when Peter #3 saved MJ (Zendaya), he proved to be the best Spider-Man in No Way Home. For Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man, that scene provided much-needed resolution and self-validation. It also effectively demonstrated why Spider-Man is a hero that fans adore.
Source: Marvel
Because it echoed Peter’s unsuccessful attempt to save Gwen Stacy, the sequence starring MCU’s MJ and Garfield’s Spidey was profound. When Peter #3 stood up holding MJ securely in his arms, his expression spoke it all. It was a magnificent demonstration of resolution and self-acceptance that should have occurred a long time ago. The scene that stole the show was simultaneously devastating and wonderful. One of the things that makes Spider-Man such an intriguing icon is his involvement with tragedies. Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker accomplished this through his own trilogy. At the end of No Way Home, Holland’s Peter had followed suit. Meanwhile, after The Amazing Spider-Man 2’s underwhelming box office, a potential The Amazing Spider-Man 3 was shelved, leaving Garfield’s Peter dangling for eight years.
When used properly, closure may be a tremendous tool for character development. Because Tony Stark‘s closure was finally wrapped with his death, his final deed of bravery in Avengers: Endgame was fantastic. The self-sacrifice of Iron Man in the movie atoned for his previous transgressions, and as a result, it became the pivotal moment in pop culture of a worldwide popular film. That was also achieved by Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man. While slightly different from Tony Stark’s, Peter Parker #3’s journey was just as fulfilling. Throughout the course of No Way Home, Peter #3 was expertly utilized as extremely good comic relief. But even though he was full of fears and self-doubt, he nonetheless jumped to save MJ as she plummeted to her death.
His natural tendency was to act morally, and by saving MJ, he made up for his earlier transgressions. Even if it’s not what he’s responsible for. The moment when Peter #3 saved MJ made an already great movie even better. After watching Spider-Man: No Way Home, fans clamored for The Amazing Spider-Man 3 because that scene and Peter #3’s journey to be there were so fantastic. Peter Parker and Spider-Man are both brilliant, awkward teenagers with tremendous power and responsibility who merely try to do what is right. Andrew Garfield perfectly captured both of these characters.
