For the past few weeks, discussions raving about “Spider-Man: No Way Home” could be heard daily, followed by pleas not to spoil the movie. The web-slinging hero has been starring in movies for nearly two decades, and his iconic story has been portrayed countless times. I thought, “Could a movie about Spider-Man have anything new to offer?” To put it simply, yes.

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” surpasses all expectations of what a Spider-Man movie can be, providing a fresh take on a character whose backstory has been retold far too often.

Produced by Marvel Studios and Columbia Pictures, the film covers protagonist Peter Parker’s struggle to balance his personal life with his newfound global fame after his identity was revealed to the world. He seeks help from sorcerer Doctor Strange, who casts a spell to erase all knowledge of Peter Parker’s identity Spider-Man yet to no avail. The stakes become significantly higher after this botched spell brings back villains that Peter and his friends have to defeat, testing Peter’s ability to fulfill his responsibility as Spider-Man.

The movie gripped me throughout its two and a half hours run time, with steady and consistent pacing. Its themes of responsibility and heroism are clear and resonate strongly without being clichéd.

Although “Spider-Man: No Way Home” exceeds expectations, Peter’s irrationality and poor decision making, while reflective of his inexperience and age, can be irritating. Additionally, the introduction of all-powerful spells and a readily accessible multiverse marks a substantial progression for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yet they are not without their flaws, bringing questions as to why these spells were not used on past threats or how specific characters are conveniently and inexplicably transported through the multiverse.

Despite the complexity of the cinematic world surrounding the film, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” manages to follow a clear narrative plot while remaining unpredictable. It is also still enjoyable even if you haven’t seen previous movies in the franchise, yet the film’s powerful emotional impacts and series-wide repercussions might lack the weight they would otherwise have.

A surprisingly strong point of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is its devastating emotional scenes. The heartfelt moments between Peter Parker, his friends and Aunt May are genuine and purposeful, giving the film a needed emotional impact many superhero films lack.