Spider-Man: No Way Home - The More Fun Stuff Version might be the MCU's most embarrassing title ever. A shameless cash grab, the re-release includes eleven minutes of extra footage, although most fans can see it's a shameless attempt to further increase the film's already impressive box office.
Although the MCU's Spidey is popular and beloved by many, it's undeniable that his films have a healthy dose of cringe in them. From the title of its latest re-release to many moments that date back to his first-ever MCU appearance, Tom Holland's Spider-Man trilogy is full of cringe-worthy scenes.
An Overreliance On Tony Stark
The MCU largely exists because of Tony Stark. The most successful cinematic franchise in Hollywood history owes a considerable debt to Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man, for better and worse. It makes sense that the MCU would use him to support other heroes, although their efforts resulted in the character overstaying his welcome.
Still, Tony remained compelling and likable. However, his relationship with Peter Parker was divisive, becoming annoying by the end. Peter needed a mentor, but Tony's constant presence meant Peter didn't seem like his own hero; instead, he came across as a sidekick desperate for attention and approval, which is most definitely not who Spider-Man is.
Flash Thompson
Flash Thompson's obnoxious personality and antagonistic attitude towards Peter were enough to turn him into one of the most hated MCU supporting characters. However, the films insisted on making him more unbearable with each new entry for some unexplained reason.
High school bullies will always be unpopular among fans, but Flash isn't even a good bully. Instead, he's like a sad but annoying creep who thinks he's popular but is far from it. Seeing his interactions with Peter is embarrassing for both characters and a waste of Tony Revolori's considerable talents.
The Peter Tingle
Spider-Man's Spider-Sense is one of his most recognizable and useful powers. Every project starring the Web-Slinger showcases how much Peter relies on his Spidey-Sense, which comes especially useful during battle.
However, the MCU's chronic need to turn everything into a joke struck the Spider-Sense. Calling it the "Peter-Tingle," the MCU turned it into a source of embarrassment for Peter rather than one of his strongest abilities. It's confusing and frustrating why the MCU keeps ripping on crucial aspects of its characters for the sake of cheap laughs, but it keeps happening.
An Excess Of Happy
Once upon a time, Happy was one of the MCU's most likable supporting characters. Loyal, supportive, and funny, he kept Tony Stark real and genuinely cared for Peter. However, like many other things in the MCU, Happy became overexposed, appearing at times when he wasn't necessary and becoming annoying.
By the time he appears in No Way Home, Happy is nothing short of irritating. It's understandable why Aunt May wouldn't want him anywhere near her; he's too needy and frustrating, following her around and literally begging her to be with him.
Ned Leeds
Ned is Peter's self-described "guy in the chair." He is an eager and impressionable teenager who means well and is usually helpful. However, Ned's personality can also become annoying whenever there's too much of him; such is the case in Spider-Man: Far From Home.
It makes sense that Ned would make mistakes; he is a teenager, after all. However, it doesn't make sense that Peter keeps involving him in his exploits, especially after it becomes absurdly clear that Ned isn't a good partner. In the third movie, Ned conveniently learns how to cast magic spells because the film needs an easy way to bring the other Peters into the fold. It's a lazy narrative choice, and the audience sees right through it.
Beck's Exposition Dump
Jake Gyllenhaal was a gift to the MCU. Thanks to his magnetic performance, Quentin Beck became one of the best antagonists in Phase 3. Gyllenhaal effortlessly embodies an unnerving charm that turns what would otherwise be an unbearable creep into a genuinely compelling character.
However, not even Gyllenhaal's considerable talents are enough to salvage the monologue in which Beck describes his plan at length. Going on for minutes and never once trying to be anything other than a shameless exposition dump, the scene is the laziest way to explain Beck's scheme. Showing, not telling, is one of the golden rules of writing, which becomes substantially easier in film. Yet, the MCU went with the easy way out with this unfortunate sequence.
"Please, Scooby-Do This Crap"
The MCU Spider-Man films have a more lighthearted and youthful tone, mainly because of the protagonists. Peter and his friends are still kids, so it makes sense that their adventures would feel more small-scale and less serious.
Still, some of the dialog comes across as laughable. The line, "Please, Scooby-Doo this crap," is the worst offender. It's neither funny nor charming, making it outright unnecessary. Poor Benedict Cumberbatch seems incredibly uncomfortable delivering it, probably because he could see how awkward it was.
Making Fun Of Doc Ock's Name
Comic book characters often have wacky and, it must be said, ridiculous names. However, that's part of their charm and legacy. Whenever characters make fun of those names, it doesn't come across as funny or clever; on the contrary, it seems cheap and lazy.
When Otto reveals his name to Peter and his friends, the trio laughs at him, thinking the name sounds too silly. However, audiences don't laugh along because the joke isn't funny. These are legacy characters and a huge reason why these IPs are famous in the first place. Encouraging fans to laugh at one thing means they should laugh at everything.
Spider-Man And The Terrible, Awful, No Good, Very Bad VFX
Many blockbusters have suffered from terrible CGI throughout the years. However, the MCU is arguably the worst offender nowadays, with each new entry having CGI ranging from awkward to outright terrible, and Spider-Man No Way Home is no exception.
From muddled fight sequences to costumes that look absurdly fake, the CGI in these massive blockbusters is increasingly pitiful. VFX artists have been very vocal about Marvel's poor working conditions, among other grievances. Sadly, the MCU doesn't seem to care, either about their artists or the quality of their films.
The Forgetting Spell
The plots of all three Spider-Man films in the MCU don't make the most sense. Far From Home is full of plot holes, and No Way Home depends entirely on what came before it. However, the final memory spell in No Way Home reaches a new level of nonsense.
As soon as anyone starts thinking about the minutia of the spell, the entire thing falls apart. It might seem like a great way to wipe the slate clean and provide a new beginning for Peter, but the mental hoops it goes through to justify itself are unforgivable. Fans rewatching the film will undoubtedly find themselves cringing at how poor a job the film makes justifying its final act.