Image courtesy of Unsplash.
If you have not seen the film Spider-Man: No Way Home yet, I advise you to avoid reading this piece, as it will contain spoilers from the movie.
Since Spider-Man: No Way Home has debuted in theaters, the film has been a constant topic in daily conversations. For many fans, myself included, we were just elated for the pure nostalgia and return of iconic characters from our childhoods. This includes the return of previous Spider-Man actors, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.
However, while I could talk about that film in particular for days, there remains an age-old question that has remained unanswered among fans of the Spider-Man franchise: is there a best version of the titular character? While there are thousands of adaptations of Spider-Man, from comics to movies to video games, this article will be focused on those in film.
I would like to start by saying that the four performances of the character that I will be discussing in this article are Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Tom Holland, and Shameik Moore, who voiced Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Although the conversation has mainly been in regards to live-action portrayals, Moore’s performance and iteration of the character are incredibly important to this discussion.
One observation that I have noted over the years is how harsh fans can be when it comes to subjects like this. Whether the topic is related to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) or the Star Wars franchise, people will remain tethered to their opinions and ignore any other takes or interpretations. Regarding Spider-Man, the most aggressive opinions have tended to surround Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of the titular character.
I personally believe that Garfield’s performance was completely fine in The Amazing Spider-Man films. However, my own opinion is based on seeing the movies several years ago, while I have re-watched the Tobey Maguire and Tom Holland films much more recently. Garfield had some arguably great scenes, such as when he encourages a child to wear his Spider-Man mask while climbing to safety and that it will make him “stronger.” I think the issue lies in Garfield’s portrayal being in between Maguire and Holland. Maguire, who most of us had grown up with, was the figure that many of us first saw as Spider-Man. Holland is doing almost the same for newer fans. The tragedy of Andrew’s portrayal is that he is stuck in-between two massively successful and iconic portrayals of the hero.
Of course, everyone has preferences, and particular acting performances may just not be everyone’s favorites. However, there are still those who argue Garfield as the “best”, with one survey participant writing that “to me Andrew Garfield is the most emotional and human Spider-Man,” indicating that there have always been fans in his corner. After the release of No Way Home, Garfield received a much larger amount of praise for his return and portrayal than in previous years. This was one of the best results that came from the release of this film.
But what about Holland, Moore and Maguire? One participant wrote in regards to Holland’s portrayal as the best due to him “not being 30.” Holland has also gained popularity due to being in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has been producing movies since 2008 and has created over 20 films. Tom Holland probably brings one of the more realistic portrayals of Peter Parker, who is meant to be a high schooler. As another survey participant wrote, “I’ve always been a big fan of Tom Holland and I think he brings a youthful energy that most Spider-Man fans can connect with.” Not only does he have the appearance of a teenager, but Holland is able to successfully portray a nerdy kid who loves Star Wars whilst also fighting a variety of other superheroes and villains. While there continues to be debate about each actor and their performances, Tom Holland’s overall appearance and personality for the character is one of the closest to representing the teenage superhero.
Next we have Shameik Moore’s performance as Miles. Not only was Into the Spider-Verse a beautifully animated film, as one participant observes, but the story of Miles Morales was finally being told on the big screen. Being a person of color, Miles’s character is a necessary one to be shown in film, and emphasizing how important representation is in superhero films and cinema as a whole. Miles, similar to many iterations of Peter Parker, is an awkward teenager trying to just get through high school, but instead is bitten by a radioactive spider, gaining awesome powers. Miles also is able to prove himself in a challenging environment where adults tend to underestimate his abilities constantly. Moore’s voice acting is incredibly convincing in every moment of the film, playing the new kid who is having the absolute worst transition to a new school. Miles’s artistic abilities and his ability to turn invisible are also strong traits that separate him from other Spider-Men, and the power enables him to save the day on many occasions. While the ongoing debate about “Best Spider-Man” mainly revolves around Maguire, Garfield, and Holland, Moore’s performance as Miles is also worth adding to the discussion due to his character and overall impact.
Lastly, let’s take a look at Toby Maguire’s performance. I am biased towards Maguire’s performance since it was one of my first experiences with the superhero genre. One of my first experiences with the superhero genre was through Maguire’s Spider-Man films, and I continue to enjoy them thoroughly even as an adult. There continues to be something about Maguire’s performance and these films that just feels so special, and that may be due to being some of the first superhero blockbusters of the early 2000’s. Because of the films’ many quotable scenes, this trilogy probably has the most memes out of all the Spider-Man adaptations, several of which made a return in No Way Home. I don’t think anyone who grew up with these films will ever forget the cringe-inducing, yet unforgettable dance sequence that takes place in Spider-Man 3, a brilliant scene that will forever go down in cinema history due to Maguire’s performance. There was something almost campy about these films, and the dialogue of these characters is incredibly questionable, but strangely enough that is what adds to the fun.
As I come to the end of this article, I find myself struggling with how to reach a conclusion that would satisfy everyone. Who isthe best Spider-Man? Do I rely on childhood nostalgia and say Maguire? Do I pick Garfield for his strong comeback? What about Holland’s young and believable performance as a high schooler? Or Miles’s incredibly creative and unique abilities? Personally, I think comparing these characters and performances gets tiring pretty quickly, especially because each of them bring great aspects to their respective films. I think all of them are pretty fantastic, and while each one has strengths and weaknesses, they all have their own unique qualities that make them irreplaceable. Everyone has their own opinion, like how many will probably feel like they’ve wasted a few minutes reading this piece. But the fun part of No Way Home, Into the Spider-Verse and all the Spider-Man films that came before them is that there isn’t a definite answer to the question. Whichever Spider-Man is your favorite, or whoever you deem “The Best” is entirely up to you.
