Monday Media Musings - 3/28/22

[owlmoose]

Spider-Man: No Way Home: Yep, finally got around to seeing it. In some ways, I felt like I was taking a final exam in Spider-Man studies without having done all the reading. I've never seen the third Tobey MacGuire film, and I don't think I've seen the second Andrew Garfield one either, so I didn't know the nuances all the villains, and I'm sure there are hundreds of small references I missed. I also wish I'd managed to see it more unspoiled. I didn't know that Charlie Cox would be appearing as Matt Murdock, and I literally gasped with joy when I saw him. When Ned asked to see Peter Parker and opened that first portal, and a shadowy figure emerged to pull of his mask and reveal Andrew Garfield, it was still a cool moment. But it would have been a lot more magical if I hadn't already known who it really was (within two guesses, but I was pretty sure it was Garfield based on his movements and frame). But I overall enjoyed it, even though it got a lot darker than I expected it to be. My favorite thing about these films is Peter's relationship with MJ and Ned, and that was front and center; I loved the three Peters being dorks together, and both MacGuire and Garfield slipped back into their individual Spider-Man personas really well, adding in the nuances of now being older and (in Tobey's case especially) wiser; Alfred Molina and Willem Dafoe were both brilliant in their original roles, and I was so excited to see them back in perfect form.

Turning Red: I've heard a lot of blowback against this film for being anti-family; I'll just say that those aren't families I would want to be a part of. What a sweet, fun, enjoyable movie. So true to what it means to be a teenage girl, and an obsessed fan, and a true friend, and a daughter who loves her family but is ready to start becoming her own person. Just a joy to watch. Also hilarious, and unexpectedly frank in its use of a puberty-specific metaphor (especially for a Disney movie). Highly recommended.

Comments

[lokifan]

I've never seen the third Tobey MacGuire film, and I don't think I've seen the second Andrew Garfield one either, so I didn't know the nuances all the villains, and I'm sure there are hundreds of small references I missed.

Same! I kinda wanna rewatch and go back. I did catch one reference and it was very cool :) (On the bridge, Tom Holland's wearing Toby Maguire's grey suit.)

I have to see Turning Red!