[Dr Kain]

We decided to spend today watching all three Tom Holland Spider-Man movies.

Homecoming - Despite taking place after Civil War, this movie is such a great standalone story that really dives into the persona of this version of Peter. He's a high schooler and Holland completely embodies it from the mannerisms to his introverted nature when it comes to talking to others. I love his quippage and his desire to be the best hero possible. Vulture is a fantastic villain who is very relatable, especially in our current economy. I completely agree with his decision and ALL of the DOD deserved to be punched in the face, especially the fucking little cunt who spoke to him like he was a child. The sequence with Vulture and Peter in the car on the way to homecoming was really intense. Also, the webwings, the freaking webwing!!! Oh my god, that was so awesome. I love the design of his Spidey suit. However, I also love how he has to prove himself in the last act of the movie with his own homemade suit. My main nitpicks include the forgettable soundtrack and how many times he takes his mask off.

Far From Home - This pains me because you can watch Homecoming without having seen Civil War, but this movie makes no sense if you have no watched Infinity War and Endgame. As such, that really hurts its narrative because you can't enjoy it as just as sequel to Homecoming. Mysterio is awesome, at least until the plot twist is revealed, then he loses some of his luster. I like that he was playing everyone, as that is something Mysterio would do, but then he disdains his entire role, digging on wearing a costume and crap, which is bullshit. Some of the movie calls back to other MCU films are nice, but again, that means you can't just enjoy this film without watching other movies. The action scenes and effects are top notch though, with some really impressive sequences. The fight in Mysterio's hologram world is nothing short of amazing. One of the best sequences in any live action Spider-Man story ever. However, I hate how irresponsible they make the two teachers on this trip in Europe and the reveal as to why Fury was an utter moron is made worse by what happens in the future of the MCU with garbage like Secret Invasion. Again, another moment that ruins this movie because you have to see something else to get the full story. Thankfully, the Peter stuff with MJ is nicely told and well acted that it distracts you from the negatives. The ending with Jameson is such a great cliffhanger though. Oh, I'm not a fan of how Spidey rarely quips in this film either.

No Way Home - Thankfully, you don't need to see 40,000 other movies to enjoy this one. In fact, unlike with FFH, having seen the other Spider-Man movies only enhance the enjoyment while nothing is lost if you have not. It's the ultimate live action Spider-Verse film that smartly focused on Holland's Peter and let everyone else act as an extention to his tale. I do not like how Lizard and Sandman were 100% CGI at all times even to when they are reverted back to their human forms. Surely they could have gotten Church and Ifans on set for one bloody day, right? Nevertheless, Doctor Strange is used very as he doesn't overstay his welcome nor do the appearances of Garfied and Maguire, who show up when they needed to and give the advice Holland's Peter needed. I love the camaraderie between the trio. Peter makes the ultimate sacrifice and it fits, sealing the deal of this being the best Spider-Man trilogy to date despite its flaws. Additionally, Garfield's Spidey got to redeem himself for his failure to save Gwen, Fox got to redeem his Electro into being a badass, and it was great to see Molina and Dafoe back.

I cannot wait to see where the Holland series goes from here. We now have a nice origin trilogy done that we can finally get to completely stand alone Spider-Man stories that do not have to try to be Avenger level films. I'd like to see a trilogy revolving around Hobgoblin with Kingsley using the tech Tobey Norman left behind. Also finally bringing in Scorpion and having Peter get a job with the Bugle.

Anyway, now that I have finished the Spider-Man movies with fresh eyes I have a new ranking for them:

1. No Way Home
2. Spider-Man
3. Homecoming
4. Spider-Man 2 (though it's kind of interchangeable with Homecoming)
5. Far From Home
6. Amazing
7. Spider-Man 3
8. Amazing 2


For fun, here is how I rank the villains of the Spider-Man movies:

1. Raimi Goblin
2. Vulture
3. Doc Ock
4. Mysterio
5. Electro
6. Sandman
7. Lizard
8. Shocker
9. Venom
10. Amazing Goblin

The great thing though is you have some really solid Spider-Man adventures. If you want something that really fits the core of Spider-Man without having to watch non-Spidey movies, there's the Raimi trilogy. If you want to see how an interestingly fun take on the character that is set in the midst of a larger universe of heroes, the Home trilogy does a wonderful job of covering that. If you want to see a grittier, darker take on Spider-Man, you've got to Garfield duo. They all have their positives, they all have their negatives, but if there is one thing all three of them do that annoy me it is that Peter seems to quip less as each series progresses. Total missed opportunity for things like, "Problems with your laser, Beck? I've heard they have pills for that now," "Electro, before I die I want you to know that you're the greatest enemy that I've ever faced. No, wait, I was thinking of someone else. I hardly ever give you a second thought.", and "<in a mocking voice> Squash the bug, squash the bug. Don’t you know any other tunes?"