MCU: Does Tom Holland’s Spider-Man Do More Harm Than Good?

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MCU: Does Tom Holland's Spider-Man Do More Harm Than Good?

Key Takeaways

  • Peter Parker learns responsibility through mistakes, often causing more harm than good.
  • MCU Spider-Man is more focused on fixing his errors than stopping crime, creating chaos.
  • Peter’s naive actions lead to major consequences, showcasing his growth and lessons learned.

As a long-time comic book fan and seasoned gamer, I can’t help but feel a bit conflicted about Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. On one hand, he’s a charming, relatable character who embodies the essence of Peter Parker beautifully. But on the other, his knack for getting into trouble and the destruction that often follows is nothing short of exhilarating – in a rollercoaster kind of way!

There’s no question about Tom Holland’s Spider-Man being a good guy, but he might be more trouble than he’s worth. His character always develops by learning through mistakes, but it seems to have come at the cost of causing more damage than he’s prevented. Whether fans like or dislike the MCU’s Peter Parker is a matter of personal preference, but as J. Jonah Jameson would say, Spider-Man might just be a “public menace.”

In all the adventures of heroes, including Spider-Man in both movies and comics, they learn and grow from their mistakes. Yet, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Home” trilogy portrays a unique version of Spidey who appears to be spending more time rectifying his own blunders than preventing local crimes. On the flip side, it’s crucial to grasp why this depiction of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man has emerged, as it helps define his individuality.

Typically, Peter Parker is depicted as a socially awkward nerd or geek in comic book lore, yet Tom Holland brings an endearing charm through his clumsy and bumbling personality. Unfortunately, this clumsiness extends into his superhero duties, sometimes inadvertently causing turmoil. In each of his solo movies within the MCU, Peter Parker learns responsibility the hard way by cleaning up the chaos he’s created. A superhero is supposed to protect those in peril, but this one often finds himself as the instigator of the very situations that endanger people. The Jon Watts Spider-Man trilogy has numerous instances where his actions lead to problems, yet they are usually backed by plausible explanations or rewarding outcomes to justify his behavior.

With great power comes great responsibility.

The Staten Island Ferry Incident in Homecoming

In his standalone Marvel Cinematic Universe outing as Spider-Man, Peter Parker exhibits a freshness and eagerness that’s hard to match. He yearns to earn Tony Stark’s approval, which is evident in his choices. For example, Peter attempts to thwart Adrian Toomes (Vulture) and his illicit arms trade independently, but it ends disastrously. The unfortunate consequence? The Staten Island Ferry gets split in two. Fortunately, Stark steps in to rescue lives and prevent further mishaps by Peter.

Interestingly, it’s not a new situation where Tony has to save Peter in the same film; earlier, he dispatched the Iron Man suit to save him when his parachute failed. Exasperated, Stark punishes Peter by confiscating his suit, leading to an essential predicament: Peter must now defeat the Vulture using his outdated, DIY Spider-Man costume, with some assistance from Ned. In conclusion, everything is made right again, and Peter has learned his lesson, albeit at the expense of a significant ferry accident.

Blindly Trusting Mysterio in Far From Home

MCU: Does Tom Holland's Spider-Man Do More Harm Than Good?

Before accusing Peter of his actions in Spider-Man: Far From Home, it’s crucial to remember that he was grappling with Tony Stark’s passing. The role left vacant by his mentor seemed too immense for him to shoulder, and it’s only right that he sought a reprieve from his duties. However, Peter’s earlier innocence is outmatched when he presents Jake Gyllenhaal’s Quentin Beck (Mysterio) with Tony Stark’s eyeglasses as a token of some sort. This generous gesture grants Mysterio access to the AI E.D.I.T.H., as well as all the databases and orbital weaponry belonging to Stark Industries.

In simpler terms, Mysterio takes the blame for the damage caused by his illusions, trying to appear as a hero. Yet, it’s Peter who made a mistake by trusting someone he barely knew, putting his friends and the world in potential danger. Fortunately, Peter managed to prevent further chaos, but the situation was precarious. This incident is significant because it reveals more about Peter’s character, as discussed by Jon Watts in an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2019.

At the start of the film, it’s clear that Peter yearns for a holiday. In fact, one could argue he’s longing for one. The plot revolves around him learning that he needs to mature and take responsibility, yet in his heart, he wishes to maintain his childlike spirit and enjoy his vacation.

Opening the Multiverse in No Way Home

MCU: Does Tom Holland's Spider-Man Do More Harm Than Good?

It becomes even tougher to justify Tom Holland’s Peter Parker, as upon reflection, it was a sensible narrative choice to facilitate the now-famous Spider-Man crossover. At first glance, asking Doctor Strange to erase people’s memories to protect his identity doesn’t seem problematic. However, the reason for this act – because he and his friends were denied entry to MIT – leans more towards selfishness and incompetence. In reality, it was Peter’s hasty modifications to the spell during the incantation that spoiled it, ultimately leading to the opening of the multiverse.

How can one tackle the devastation wrought in this situation? Peter’s actions unwittingly summon no less than five adversaries from the Spider-Man universe into his reality, and tragically, he loses his most cherished relative, Aunt May. This unfortunate event could be considered the most severe repercussion he has experienced throughout all his Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances. However, the lesson he gains here strikes him the deepest. In the aftermath, Peter Parker’s identity as Spider-Man is wiped from everyone’s recollection, even that of his friends like Ned and MJ. Despite his personal hardships, he ultimately rises above for the greater good, discovering the true essence of being Spider-Man.

Each Marvel Cinematic Universe Spider-Man film presents a fresh perspective on the well-known “with great power comes great responsibility” theme. Unlike Tobey Maguire’s and Andrew Garfield’s portrayals, Tom Holland’s character appears to focus more on managing consequences rather than saving lives or dealing with his romantic entanglements. Yet, the upcoming Spider-Man 4 could introduce a new Peter Parker – one who is more composed, experienced in handling crises, and mindful of his actions.

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2024-10-26 23:05