Spider-Man is one of the greatest superheros of all time and one of Stan Lee's most amazing creations. The hero is meant to represent the pinnacle of what a superhero can be, and has had several popular film adaptations over the years. Some of the most popular films, by far, are Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy starring Tobey Maguire. The web-slinger has most recently received several standalone MCU films, but there's a lot the newer Marvel movies can learn from the classic trilogy.
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10 It's Incredibly Hard, But Possible, To Balance Relationships With Superhero Life
Peter Parker Eventually Makes Things Work With Mary Jane
In Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, Peter Parker only has eyes for one woman, Mary Jane Watson. The two have an off-again-on-again relationship that spans throughout the series, until they eventually patch things up at the end of the final film. Raimi has always said that if he created another film, it would be about Peter managing his superhero and family life. All that is to say that a real relationship between the MCU's Peter and MJ could've worked, but it wouldn't have been easy.
It's entirely possible that the MCU wants to give Peter a couple more love interests, to establish more comic accuracy. However, many Spider-Man fans prefer him to be paired with Mary Jane. The pair might not always see eye to eye, and comics can't ever seem to let them be happy, but they are one of the most iconic couples in comics. It certainly wouldn't be easy, but MCU's Peter probably could've made his relationship with MJ work had he really tried.
9 A More Mature Web-Swinger Isn't Always a Bad Thing
Peter Parker's First Loss Is Extremely Eye Opening
Peter Parker is one of the youngest Superheros in the genre. At the earliest, he starts his career in early high school, making him incredibly immature. Yet, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy is a far more mature take on the character than other iterations have received. Maguire's Spider-Man certainly still quips and chats back and forth with his enemies, but he treats his role with a lot more responsibility. His personality helps make him a more endearing character overall.
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In the MCU's case, the audience is likely meant to watch Spider-Man slowly mature into the hero fans know and love. Now that the fourth film has finally been announced, many fans believe it's time for a more mature Spider-Man. The MCU's characterization of the Web-Head has been amazing, but many feel that he's been too naive for too long. The character goes to space in one of his first adventures. This moment should've changed him forever.
8 The Entire Public Eye Isn't Out to Get Spider-Man Like in the MCU
J. Jonah Jameson Might Be the Loudest Voice, But He Doesn't Speak for Everyone
J. Jonah Jameson is one of the most active reporters in the MCU or Marvel in general. For one reason or another, he believes that Spider-Man has a secret agenda and attempts to expose him to the world. In the MCU, he was one of the first to break the news of Parker's secret identity, which caused the public to turn their back on the character. This move is somewhat unorthodox given that a good deal of Jameson's evidence is clearly fabricated.
In the comics, the public eye is certainly wary of Spider-Man, but they aren't as critical of him as the MCU would have fans believe. Often times, in the comics, Peter can be seen talking with the citizens of New York like he was always meant to be there. Their bond is one of the most important parts of the young superhero's character, and something that shouldn't be overlooked. Spider-Man is considered a quintessential part of New York, just like an iconic monument.
7 Peter Parker's Main Struggles Come From Within
Peter Struggles to Live Up to His Uncle's Legacy
Peter Parker is much stronger than he might lead fans to believe. His powers give him the proportional strength of a spider, allowing him to move profoundly quickly and carry several tonnes. He has a variety of villains he regularly faces off against, but his greatest enemy is himself. Spider-Man consistently struggles with the idea of being worthy of his grandfather's final lesson, and honoring him as The Big Apple's biggest protector.
After watching Uncle Ben die, Peter started a journey that would change him forever. Many of his most heroic actions as Spider-Man have been done to honor his grandfather. His villains might provide him with a momentary pause now and again, but they aren't his greatest opponent. Peter could defeat Sand Man any day, but overcoming his impostor syndrome is another issue.
6 Peter Shouldn't Be Overly Selfish After His Uncle's Last Lesson
Sam Raimi's Spider-Man is Only Selfish After Donning the Symbiote Suit
Spider-Man is one of the youngest superheros in the business, so it makes sense for him to be somewhat immature, but that doesn't excuse him to be selfish. One of the MCU's biggest complaints about Peter Parker is that he's just sort of selfish, which isn't completely wrong. Many of his issues from the last film, Spider-Man: No Way Home, stem from his desire to be alone with his friends. It makes sense for the hero to slip up now and again, but that level of selfishness doesn't really fit without the symbiote suit.
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Peter Parker's uncle left him an incredible lesson: "With great power comes great responsibility." In contrast, the MCU Peter doesn't hear this line until his third film. It seems somewhat disingenuous to delay one of the most pivotal inspirations of his career as Spider-Man to the third film. Hopefully, Peter begins to act slightly differently now that he has heard the iconic lines.
5 Spider-Man Is Intensely Focused on Citizens' Health and Safety
The Hero Would Never Intentionally Risk Citizens' Safety to Catch a Criminal
As the main hero of New York, Spider-Man is incredibly protective of their health and safety. He would never intentionally put any regular people in harms way, even to catch a villain. This is the main reason the Tobey Maguire train scene is so iconic. He risks it all to save a train full of people without a second thought. His muscles rip through his suit and his identity becomes exposed, but that doesn't stop the hero for a second.
The road ironically goes both ways. When the citizens realize that they've just been saved by an incredibly young man, they are simply dumbfounded. They carry an unconscious Peter across the train, unwilling to expose his identity. These powerful scenes are largely absent from the MCU and could easily elevate the already popular franchise.
4 Spider-Man Is Usually a Somewhat "Low-Tech" Superhero Comparatively
Spider-Man Shouldn't Have Access to an Iron Man-like Suit Until His Later Career
Compared to other Marvel superheros, like Iron Man, Spider-Man is remarkably low-tech. In the comics, he has his fair share of gadgets, but he builds everything himself. This stands in "Stark" contrast to the MCU version of the hero. Peter is gifted a suit by Tony Stark in his first iteration, which gives him an incredible advantage he never had in the Sam Raimi films.
Peter eventually ditches the Stark suit in favor of a homemade classic suit, but the moment comes too little too late. Fans are extremely eager to see the classic suit in Spider-Man 4, but many aren't certain they'll see the suit for long. The MCU films largely attempt to have their own identity, meaning Peter will likely get a new suit before the movie is over.
3 Spider-Man Stories Should Primarily Be a Solo Act
MCU's Spider-Man Rarely, If Ever, Acts Alone
Spider-Man is one of the most popular Marvel superheroes and somewhat regularly collaborates with his fellow Superheroes, but many of his most important journeys and lessons happen by himself. That's not to say Spider-Man won't accept help now and again, just that he prefers to do stuff alone if possible. Peter Parker refuses to lose anyone he cares about again, so fighting alongside his friends isn't often ideal.
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Regardless, the fact that Peter was somewhat thrown into the MCU makes his journey seem less authentic. The MCU hero has help during every single film, and that isn't likely to change anytime soon. Recent reveals have proven that Frank Castle's Punisher will be joining Peter in Spider-Man 4. It's likely the hitman won't be a consistent ally, but it will once again prevent Peter from finding his own identity.
2 Epic Cinematography Keeps Fans' Attention Just As Well as Action Sequences
The MCU ReliesToo Heavily on Overwhelming Action
Obviously, action is one of the most important parts of a superhero film. This has often caused several other film aspects to be somewhat ignored. The cinematography in the first few MCU Spider-Man films is relatively lacking. The third film is a step in the right direction, but it feels too little too late.
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Many of the most important sequences in the movie are solely based around action. The third film does have more emotional moments, but not enough to satisfy the emotional deficit. Hopefully, the fourth film will find a better balance.
1 Peter Parker Is the Quintessential Marvel Super Hero
MCU's Spider-Man Needs to Step Up to the Plate
Out of all the MCU characters, Spider-Man seems to be one of the least important. He isn't often a part of team-up films and when he is, he has less screentime than more established heroes. Now that he is one of the few remaining classic MCU characters, he could be given more of a spotlight. However, things might be too late for Peter Parker.
Despite what is supposed to be one of the most important characters in Marvel's history, he didn't get a solo film until the middle of the MCU. A lot of that had to do with licensing issues. However, it still makes the character feel like a rushed add-on rather than a franchise asset.
Spider-Man
- Release Date
- May 3, 2002
- Runtime
- 121 Minutes
Cast
-
Tobey MaguireSpider-Man / Peter Parker -
Willem DafoeGreen Goblin / Norman Osborn -
Kirsten DunstMary Jane Watson -
James FrancoHarry Osborn
