There are have been three iterations of my favourite superhero since the turn of the century. and a lot of people tend to have their own opinion of which is the best film franchise and/or film. They also tend to have their own choice of favourite Spidey for differing reasons and this will be my explanation of my pick of the bunch.
First is Tobey Maguire, my nostalgia is a huge part of my feelings towards this one. The original trilogy has been given praise and hate on almost equal levels, with 2 being seen as one of the best superhero films of all time while 3 is seen as one of the worst. But focusing on the acting and direction towards our red and blue hero there is more to unpack.
Simply put to people I know I will say how Maguire plays a brilliant and emotional Peter Parker, he’s awkward, shy, unsure of himself and the underdog we all want to root for. But it’s when he’s wearing the mask that it feels to be missing the point. Now to clarify I think Maguire acts the part brilliantly, it’s just that the part he is given doesn’t seem to bounce around as much as the comics that fans fell in love with were promised.
Second there was Andrew Garfield, another showing how films suffer from too much studio interference. But Garfield fell for the opposite reason that Maguire did: Andrew was funny, wisecracking, smart and the second suit looked like it was pulled from the Ultimate comics (at least the mask did). It was the man behind the mask that couldn’t be balanced between the two halves of the web covered coin.
He just doesn’t scream Peter Parker, yes he’s intelligent and so a nerd without many friends. However, it’s not in the sense that he’s the quiet nerd trying to be the best and fairest version of himself but by being someone who seeks out their own isolation. He’s a tall, thin, good looking, mysterious outsider who skateboards in their spare time while walking around with Edward Cullen hair. Yet, I find the relationship between Peter and Gwen the most natural and finally seeing Peter as the nervous nerd we know but only when she shares the screen.
And lastly is Tom Holland, the one actor to be given a personal response of their his opinion of the portrayal, praising Holland for being the perfect fit for Spider-Man. For me I will agree, not only does he look like the Peter Parker from the last 50+ years but on both aspects he succeeds the already high standards by the previous franchises.
Talking constantly both to himself and to the criminals he mocks while stopping their criminal acts. To the nerdy side of the character, looking like a convincing representation of the nerd Peter is known to be with the added bonus of being at least close to the age he is playing. Focusing on the school side of things more than the others had which is an improvement as more than half of all Spider-Man stories involve Parker struggling to juggle being a superhero with having exams and homework.
Now feeling like a nerdy Goldilocks with the first being too teary, the second being too ‘cool’ and the third being just right. Obviously, this is all personal opinion and shouldn’t be taken on any level of seriousness.
The Nerdy Bartender 