Tuesday, BBC1, 11:10pm
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) is, at its core, a love letter to two decades of web-slinging cinematic escapades, neatly packaged in a multiversal narrative that had fans clutching their popcorn like it contained the secrets of the universe. Directed by Jon Watts, the film takes Tom Holland's Peter Parker on a journey through regret, redemption, and recriminations as he grapples with the fallout of Mysterio’s explosive posthumous revelation of his identity. In a madcap attempt to fix his life, Peter and his Scooby Gang enlist the help of Doctor Strange, only for things to unravel in gloriously chaotic fashion when familiar villains from across Spider-Man franchises come crashing into the MCU. It’s the cinematic equivalent of inviting your pals for a quiet pint and accidentally hosting a rave.
The film's real strength lies in its delicate balance between fan service and genuine storytelling. Yes, it delivers the big "ooh" moments with the return of Willem Dafoe's chilling Green Goblin, Alfred Molina’s tragically brilliant Doc Ock, and Jamie Foxx's reimagined Electro. But these aren’t mere cameos; they’re integrated with a deftness that reminds us why these characters are so beloved. The third act, featuring the reunion that launched a thousand reaction videos, is a masterclass in giving the people what they want while still serving the story. Holland shines as a Peter forced to confront loss and responsibility on a scale that no friendly neighborhood hero should endure. It’s Spider-Man at his most vulnerable, and paradoxically, at his most heroic.
Now, about that soundtrack. Michael Giacchino, who could score a trip to the supermarket and make it sound like an epic quest, outdoes himself here. His compositions weave together the heartache and triumph that define Spider-Man, all while sneaking in sly nods to Danny Elfman and James Horner’s earlier themes. The music is a multiverse unto itself, evoking nostalgia while standing firmly on its own two legs (or eight, as the case may be). With its sprawling score and genre-bending ambition, No Way Home proves that even in the increasingly crowded superhero landscape, the ol’ webhead can still soar—or swing—above the rest.
- Noel Chambers