It is not often that one gets to see all the characters/stars of a franchise together in one movie and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) didn’t only do it once or twice, but thrice.

The much-anticipated Spider-Man: No Way Home – which Our Today was able to see via an early screening on Thursday thanks to Magna Motors – home of Hyundai Jamaica, certainly did not come to play. The movie didn’t disappoint, portraying a myriad of film-defining themes.

Throughout the film are a number of main themes, including friendship, nostalgia, team work and selflessness that aided in making the blockbuster movie what it is. If you are yet to feast your eyes on this high-charged live action film, prepare for some spoilers ahead.

Friendship

Friendship has always been a major theme in MCU films. Friendships between Rocket and Groot (Guardians of the Galaxy), Tony Stark and Happy (Iron Man) and Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes (Captain America) are unions that MCU underscores.

In addition to this, the strong sense of friendship between Peter Parker (Tom Holland), Michelle MJ Jones (Zendaya) and Ned Leeks (Jacob Batalon) is given great screen time and is portrayed throughout the entire film. The beginning of the movie which has a rather slow and unconvincing start, saw the trio along with Aunt Mae and Happy banding, together amidst controversy caused by the revelation of the identity of Spider-Man.

We also see that due to their association with Parker, the pair (MJ and Ned), are rejected from their choice of college. However, Parker goes above and beyond to change this reality, pleading an argument of acceptance to the M.I.T. administrator on his friends’ behalf.

Furthermore, despite the challenges being associated with Spider-Man presents, MJ and Ned are still foolishly willing to give their friend a helping hand which is ultimately a gamble and sacrifice for their future.

Nostalgia

The creators and writers of this sequel really had fans’ best interest at heart, when they decided to include not only Andrew Garfield, but the OG himself, Toby Maguire in the film (who both received cheers and applause during their first appearance from moviegoers in the cinema).

It was quite refreshing and sentimental, to say the least, having Tom Holland’s predecessors a part of the nearly two-hour-and-a-half live-action film. Not only that but original villains such as Dr Otto Octavius, Green Goblin and Sandman were also brought back to life. And as much as these characters are villains, we still love them.

The film also played on the nostalgic theme when both Maguire and Garfield reminisced about the loss of their Uncle Ben whose saying “With great power, comes great responsibility” is repeated throughout the franchise.

This saying too, can be described as the core of the film, for it was based on that saying, that Peter Parker decided to use his powers for good. Unlike Maguire and Garfield, Holland makes no mention of an Uncle Ben, in any of his films.

Team Work

If nothing else, one can always expect teamwork in some way or form to be included in an MCU film. This cliché is seen amongst Peter (Tom Holland), MJ and Ned who at first, unsuccessfully try to cure the Maguire’s and Garfield’s villains.

Holland, Maguire and Garfield, also work together in an effort to try and stop the villains. Being in the midst of a battle for Maguire and Garfield, is usually a one-man show, Holland however has had some teamwork experience, as he so proudly stated, having teamed up with the Avengers.

At first, it proved difficult for all three to work as a team. However, realising the challenge, they regrouped and reassessed the situation and came with a much more effective plan and as expected, won the battle.

Selflessness

Holland’s Peter Parker, like Maguire and Garfield, suffered a great loss, however, it was not Uncle Ben but instead, Aunt Mae. It was selflessness that brought No Way Home‘s rather young Aunt Mae to her unfortunate and untimely death.

Despite knowing that she did not stand a chance against Green Goblin, she still tried her best to save Peter, there was no flinch of hesitation on her part, even when Parker told her to run. Her attempt at heroism led to her death and Peter to his dark side.

In addition to this Parker committed a selfless act of trying to save Aunt Mae from one of Green Goblin’s bombs. At first, it appeared that was out of harm’s way, but unbeknownst to him, she had suffered a fatal blow.

Another instance of selflessness is seen when Holland consciously makes the decision near the ending of the film, for the world to forget who Peter Parker is.

Although it may be for the betterment of his friends and by extension the world, in reality, it is a very hard and rather unnerving decision to make. Nonetheless, Parker made the selfless decision in a matter of seconds, apparently confident in his abilities to cause those who matter to remember.

The movie which was debuted on Friday, December 17, has already scored the 2nd best opening day of all time.

Even if you are not a fan of Marvel movies, this is definitely one to add to your list. And even if you are not a fan of Holland or Garfield, seeing the franchise’s arguably best Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Maguire, is sight for sore eyes.

Spider-Man: No Way Home can be seen at the Carib 5 Palace Amusement movie theatre located smack in Cross Roads, St Andrew.