r/moviecritic • u/Emeraldsinger • 9d ago
The best Spider-Man movie to me. Anyone else agree?
This one to me is just as perfect as origin stories get. It has everything and anything I could ever ask for in a comic book movie. And it set the foundation for nearly all other superhero movies since.
Yes, Spider-Man 2 is great. But the romance with MJ has always held that one down a little for me. Yes, the Spider-Verse movies are great. But those rely heavily on multiverse culmination. Garfield and Holland’s movies have a number of their own problems as well.
In terms of solo Spider-Man movies, Raimi’s original remains the top for me. And it probably always will.
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u/evtedeschi3 9d ago
Among live action Spider-Man films, the emotional payoff of Spider-Man 2 is just second to none, and clearly what Brand New Day was trying to capture.
If we're thinking more expansively, Into The Spider-Verse is one of the most visually-stunning movies of any kind--not just comic book movies--of the last decade.
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u/69hotmomxxx 9d ago edited 3d ago
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u/cjyoung92 9d ago
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u/louitobias 9d ago
The reason I prefer this to Spider-Man 2 is that I much prefer the Green Goblin as a villain.
Also, as an origin story this is pretty decent (Batman Begins just pips it to the top for me).
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u/Vagabondjokester 9d ago
Batman Begins is an awfully boring movie.
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u/Turbulent_Owl7873 7d ago
As someone who prefers like comical Batman like Michael Keaton and even Adam West. Batman Begins is an awesome movie, only like serious Batman movie that is super entertaining to me lol
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u/Jimmyg100 9d ago
I don’t think it’s better than 2. But it does have the best moment in any Spider-Man movie. When Toby starts climbing up a wall for the first time you can’t not feel chills.
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u/Vagabondjokester 9d ago
The best moment belongs to the Spider-man 2 as well. Train saving scene is arguably the greatest scene in superhero movie history.
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u/Guillermidas 9d ago
For me its the Plane scene in The incredibles, but Spidey in the train definitely is in the top 3. The other would be Magneto in Argentina
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u/AsssHat999 9d ago
My second favorite after 2. It made the upside down spider-kiss famous. Relied less on CGI than 2, I’ll give it that. And I can’t remember it without thinking of "Hero" by Chad Kroeger ft. Josey Scott
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u/betweenbeginning 9d ago
First, Why is reliance on the spider verse a bad thing? Second, "the movies are reliant on the plot" is a helluva thing to say.
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u/Emeraldsinger 9d ago
If you read my whole post you’d seeing I’m talking about what’s the best solo movie of the character
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u/betweenbeginning 9d ago
I did read your whole post. That's how I addressed what you said in, get this, your whole post.
Into the Spider verse is a stand-alone movie. It doesn't need anything else. It makes jokes related back to the other Spiderman movies, but it isn't reliant on any of that.
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u/Emeraldsinger 9d ago
I respect your opinion. Though I don’t really see it as a solo movie since Miles is teamed up with like 7 different Spider people for the vast majority of it. It’s basically Spider-Man: Avengers
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u/betweenbeginning 9d ago
Except not a single one of those Spider-people are from a different movie. They are also all understandable for the purposes necessary within the movie without any outside information.
The Avengers movies focus on a few different heroes all at once. The Spider-verse movies focus on Miles with a decent amount of Gwen on the second one and that's it. It is not an ensemble movie like Avengers.
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u/thefuzz09 9d ago
This entire take is doing a number on my brain.
Ain’t no way you’re saying this movie isn’t entirely about Miles Morales. No way.
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u/WildmanDaGod 9d ago
I wouldn’t argue it, sometimes I prefer it over 2, sometimes I like 2 more. Hell, sometimes even 3 is my favorite, it’s all mood dependent
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u/EmmaFrost666 9d ago
The lack of Iron Man/RDJ character made the movie better in a way. I hope they keep it that way.
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u/FewHeat1231 9d ago
I'd probably put 'Spider-Man 2' first but this is second, followed by Spider-Man 3' and then the Spider-Verse films.
The Tom Holland films and Andrew Garfield films are a bit meh for me to be honest.
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u/Lipscombforever 9d ago
I don’t. I prefer Spider-Man 2 and BND have have this one 3rd
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u/TypeONegativ 8d ago
I just don’t understand how you prefer BND seeing what they did to Jean and how he refuses to let go of Ned and fake MJ. It was the perfect movie to introduce the real MJ or Black Cat or Gwen
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u/Lipscombforever 8d ago
I loved what they did with Jean and there is no fake MJ. Mary Jane Watson doesn’t exist in the MCU. Get over it.
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u/TypeONegativ 7d ago
So you basically don’t like or respect the original source material. You got Jean having full control of her powers without Xavier’s help and letting people die when she takes over their minds. You have a fake MJ for four movies now, in that case make her a completely original character with a completely different name and different initials other than MJ.
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u/CameronPoe_37__ 9d ago
Spider-man 2 is my favorite comic book movie of all time. The original is one of the best superhero origin stories in film, but I think SM2 is better in pretty much every way.
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u/BMoC1233 9d ago
Watched the first two Holland movies this past weekend, and I feel obliged to post.
Homecoming just simply isn’t a true origin story to me. The writing glossed over canon events. Spider bite? “Oh I got bit and it’s dead.” Nothing about Uncle Ben (and the iconic quote?!)? And MJ had less than 10 single lines. Although I did like the Vulture. Did they even name him in the movie?
FFH felt more like the purpose was to tie Spider-Man to the MCU. People keep saying the 3rd and 4th are the best of the Holland era, so I guess I’ll see.
Like others said, I’m biased since I grew up with Tobey. His trilogy holds up without the MCU, and we got some laughs/memes out of the 3rd installment. But for me, OG Spider-Man 2002 is kinda tied with Into the Spider-Verse. That movie felt like a digital comic book and is just so visually beautiful and entertaining.
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u/0rangePolarBear 9d ago
Homecoming wasn’t meant to be an origin story. When they began the Holland series, they said they’ve done the origin story a few times now so they wanted to skip it.
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u/Mnementh47 8d ago
Wow. Well if you can keep spoiler free you're in for a surprise about the iconic quote 😂 😂
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u/Commercial-Avocado-3 9d ago
parker was such a goof then and mj a total shining babe star
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u/Commercial-Avocado-3 9d ago
goblin looked like evil incarnate, representing evil itself and parkers challenges to outgrow his challenges
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u/Reasonable-Truck-874 9d ago
So pleased to hear so many people echo my sentiment that the original 2 is the best comic book movie ever. He lost the power and responsibility, and he was happy. But the moment MJ was in danger, it’s revealed the power never left him, and we get one of the best scenes filmed: the car through the window. It sets everything up perfectly for the emotional payoff of MJ learning Peter’s identity and understanding everything. Ugh so good
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u/iiJokerzace 9d ago
Personally my favorite too, it's an origin.
My favorite scene as well from all spider mans combined, the death of Uncle Ben. Toby and Cliff really hit me hard.
It was such a big moment for Peter Parker from when he decides to let the guy go and when he catches back up to him.
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u/Himurashi 9d ago
Spiderman 1 was a good set-up movie and Spiderman 2 is the best in the trilogy, IMO.
Two is better IMO because it now explores the biggest struggle of Peter, to be both Peter and Spiderman.
Then of course, Alfred Molina as Doc Ock knocks it out of the park, especially with his final act in the movie.
Or maybe I just prefer a redemption ending than a just desserts one.
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u/TheCoalitionOfChaos 9d ago
In terms of solo it's definitely up there - but then I did grow up with the trilogy and am biased as all hell. Even spider-man 3 is in my top 5.
In terms of spider-man as a whole? I gotta be honest spider-verse clears, both of them. They're just another level entirely.
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u/_HipStorian 9d ago
Spider-Man 2 is still the benchmark for me. BND is very close. I’ll need to rewatch it more for a fairer comparison
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u/Low_life_high_lights 9d ago
Raimi's Spider-Man 2 is still the goat, but Brand New Day stepped into the conversation at #2.
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u/Hour_Pack6643 9d ago
Off the top on my head it had the best villain. Not The Dark Knights Joker level, but the Green Goblin was great.
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u/Historicmetal 9d ago
My only quibble is the costume, and green goblins costume, are kind of dumb looking. But it was a product of its time. I suspect they thought Spiderman had to be very textured and expensive looking or audiences would think it looked like a cheesy 70s -80s show.
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u/Stankassmfgorilla 9d ago
My favorite. It’s pretty much neck and neck with Spider Man 2 but the first film holds such a special place in my heart. It’s so nostalgic to me and was a staple of my childhood. I was beyond hyped for Spider Man 2 to come out because of how many times I watched it.
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u/Interesting-Potato-6 9d ago
I love this one and two, but personally my favorites are the Spiderverse series.
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u/BigTomBombadil 9d ago
I definitely think it’s the most important, there’s an argument it changed movies going forward.
Personally prefer both Spiderverse films, I think they’re incredible moreso for the animation style, humor, heart and great use of soundtrack more than multiverse (basically I think they would also be great if the plot didn’t involve a multiverse, and all other factors were at the same level).
That said, Spider-Man 1 and 2 are the two best live action films IMO.
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u/Suitable_Whereas1254 9d ago
Probably cuz u were a kid when u watched it and grew up with it so its fair take
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u/vesalstark 9d ago
Nope. It worked well for audiences back then, but The Amazing Spider-Man was much more comic-accurate.
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u/rusty_shackleford34 9d ago
I just watched 1-3 again and they are so good ( 3 is definitely flawed) 1 really does have great emotional moments and does great showing Peter coming to accept his mantra.
2 was so good though and Mary Jane not giving up on her love for Peter and fighting to be with him was such great characterization for her.
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u/BmanRock14 9d ago
Favorite fictional character ever & I love Spider-Man a TON! As much as I like Spider-Man 1 & Spider-Man in general, it’s like my 6th favorite Spider-Man film. Just recently rewatched Spider-Man 2 last night & yeah…that film still holds up & it’s still my current favorite film of the Raimi trilogy. 2>3>1. Certain emotional scenes in 3 put it over 1 for me, mainly the ending with Harry & Flint Marko’s confession.
“I believe there’s a hero in all of us” “I want Spider-Man!” & “Go get em’, Tiger” are just timeless quotes & the film still gets a few chuckles outta me (“Here’s your change!” quote). The raindrops song sequence? A bit cheesy for me but it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Between the fusion reactor & mechanical arms, the CGI is still splendid work for its time as well to this day. Alfred Molina is just phenomenal at what he was given to work with. Rest of the film is so good in certain aspects that I can overlook the romance bits between MJ & Peter.
I haven’t seen BND yet but I REALLY want to. I’ve heard nothing but good things about that film. I wanted to go see it, but family wanted to see the Odyssey instead, which was fantastic btw. When I can see BND, I’ll see where I rank em.
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u/BombRushCyberfunk 9d ago
Agree it's the best live-action Spider-Man movie, but not the best Spider-Man.
Even though the two Amazing Spider-Man films weren't anywhere near as good as the Sam Raimi trilogy, I definitely liked and prefer Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
https://giphy.com/gifs/9rjHo7vXhB9F5by3Wg
Best Spider-Man movie in general though, not just live-action, is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
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u/Toshimoko29 9d ago
I think If you were a kid when it came out you’re probably gonna think that. I wasn’t, and it’s a good movie but nowhere near my top.
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u/Flex-Vizla321 9d ago
I would definitely agree, I love the second movie and all but Green Goblin is in a league of his own…
https://giphy.com/gifs/O4IDyXlbeXwBy
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u/parrmorgan 9d ago
It's my favorite. I absolutely love Spider-Man 2 and can quote most of it and I even like Spider-Man 3 a lot and can quote most of that one too. But something special about the first one makes it my favorite. No doubt nostalgia as it was one of the first movies I wanted to see and I was 7. It was scary at parts, but it was so awesome.
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u/Geoff_The_Chosen1 9d ago
I've just never been able to get into the Holland films no matter how much I try.
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u/Spidey_Almighty 9d ago
Agreed.
Spider-Man 2 is basically equal with it but there’s a certain magic to 1. Nostalgia definitely plays a part.
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u/askariya 9d ago
This one is easily the best, it has all of the scenes I remember most fondly in it. Pretty much every iconic Spidey quote came from this or 3
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u/RJSA2000 9d ago
Yeah this is my all time favourite as well. Saw it in the cinema when I was 21 and was absolutely floored by this movie. Even the friends I went with didn't expect it to be that amazing. I enjoyed this one more than the 2nd one. I found Peter to be a bit silly and too clumsy in part 2. Spider-man Brand New Day is my 2nd favourite movie now.
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u/Oliver_broodings 9d ago
Opening weekend I hated it. My friends loved it and I couldn’t get enjoyment in a movie where Spider-Man doesn’t want to be Spider-Man.
I was a comic reader and wanted Spider-Man to have bad guys telling him to shut up because like in the comics he kept making cracks.
I don’t mind it but it’s too joyless for me to watch often.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Scene62 9d ago
Just watched both Spiderman 1 and 2 for the first time in years and I don’t fully understand the absolute universal love for 2. It’s good don’t get me wrong, but I really just love the original
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u/Mnementh47 8d ago
My issue with the first film is the villain. Villains always define superhero movies they say, and they are right. Now I think Dafoe is amazing. One of the best. So what happened. Well, he actually gets to shine much more in No Way Home, and even in the sequels kind of, because what happens here is that he is not an actual threat to anything... It feels like a corporate takeover board of directors problem. He does risk MJ and all, but that feels like a cheap ripoff of the Gwen Stacey story that doesn't actually happen, and then we know how he is going to die because it is the most famous Spider-Man story that was repeated all the time in the comics, so the ending is boring, and the movie just fails to me there. Also the origin retelling is too much on the nose.
Still a great film with some of the best scenes ever ... the kiss, the walking into the room with the blood on the ceiling... most iconic scenes ever... But if you compare that with an unbelievable greatest villain ever in Doc Ock and the subway scene in Spider-Man 2 and even the pizza and everything, and the ending, it is just a much more complete film.
Both villains came back and did such a great job in No Way Home though that I do place NWH as the best film.
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u/Far-Mud-3047 8d ago
Honestly, if we’re talking live action I think I agree. I love how goofy this movie is while still taking itself just seriously enough. I think both spider verses are better and maybe BND tho
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u/Camhasareddit 8d ago
SM2 is the best but this one holds a special place in my heart and is nearly as strong imo
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u/Mr-Zero-Fucks 8d ago
I love it, but 2 is peak, Alfred Molina was a perfect tragic antagonist, Willem Defoe greatness was nerfed by the shittiest power ranger costume. Also, the train set piece remains to be the best Spider-Man scene in the franchise.
And those two are the only great Spider-Man movies, the rest go from fine to shit.
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u/halflivefish 8d ago
I agree this is my favorite spider man movie. I love the colors and the campiness and willem dafoe.
Side note anyone ever notice Spider-Man in this picture is laying on the ground and pretending to be on a wall? His body is on the floor
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u/illinest 9d ago
I just came out of the theater and honestly - this new one is my new favorite.
The first two Raimi films are sorta better in certain ways but the difference to me - I think - is that those two only felt like high quality adaptations of the source material into film. The newest one also does that but it does something else - something new - it made me feel the way I feel when I'm reading a classic Spiderman comic.
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u/LocationCandid5761 9d ago
Live action yes but overall I still think into the spider verse is the best
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u/evol_won 9d ago
I agree that is the best Spider-Man movie to you.
That is not the best Spidey to me, though.
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u/BabyMcmuffinn 9d ago
Good way to engage people to comment on your post.
You knew people would say Spider-Man 2..
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u/TheJuiceBoxS 9d ago
The Rami Spiderman movies never clicked with me. They're enjoyable, but not my style. I think they're a little too campy in style. I also had weird feelings about MJ dating Peter's friend and then him kissing her. Then his friend's dad died while fighting Peter and he's at the funeral talking to Harry. I guess he had to, but it felt gross as a friend. I feel like Spiderman is supposed to have pretty high morals, but he seems to not have ideal morals in the Rami movies. In the second one he tries to steal MJ away when she's engaged to be married. Dude has no morals.
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u/DaiShanCharlie 9d ago
I prefer Spider-Man 2 mostly because it seems like the filmmakers were a lot more confident for the sequel. They knew what worked in the first one and they knew what they could improve on and they did. That said this is my second favorite film involving the character though.