10 Reasons Why Tobey Maguire Is STILL The Best On-Screen Spider-Man

What else could have been our final reason? What else better represents the elite status of Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man than the wise and tragic presence of his fabled Uncle Ben?

His famous words, his untimely and life-shaping death – it’s part of who Peter Parker is and essential for a great Spider-Man film.

Andrew Garfield’s movies had a good go at Uncle Ben, but they just don’t quite strike the same chord. Raimi’s Uncle Ben is old and frail, and his guidance is all that he has to offer to the young and restless Peter. He does his best for his small family, and when he speaks his final words, we feel connected to every utterance.

Holland lacks this presence entirely, and Tony Stark is expected to carry the role of mentor. This would work, but the characters of Uncle Ben and Tony Stark are complete opposites, and this leads to the MCU’s Spider-Man taking a new direction.

Peter has always been moulded by the guidance of others, whether it’s Uncle Ben, Aunt May, or his superhero elders, and the tone of his early Spider-Man work is always set by the famous words spoken by Uncle Ben.

To not have him is to change Spider-Man, and this is why Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man remains the best. Because with great power comes great responsibility.