From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

"It's you, Peter."

Mary Jane finally mustered her courage and looked at Peter with composure.

Peter was stunned, his eyes lit up. Even without words or actions, he could clearly feel the joy and happiness in his heart at this moment—

So, this is what it feels like when a dream comes true.

Mary Jane felt it too, the smile on her lips fully blooming, her words becoming more firm.

What if it was just his imagination? What if it was just a dream? What would he do then?

Mary Jane took a step forward, "There's only one person who has been with me from beginning to end, making me feel that I might be much better than I imagined."

"I'm just... me. And that's okay."

Peter gazed into Mary Jane's eyes, gentle and firm, continuing to protect her, continuing to encourage her, loving her wholeheartedly, and silently telling her:

She is the best, she doesn't need to change.

That look, so deep and so charming, like a calm ocean, slowly enveloping Mary Jane, giving her courage.

Mary Jane said, "Actually... I love you."

Peter... was stunned.

Mary Jane didn't notice, "I really love you, Peter."

A kiss sealed their words.

Finally, Mary Jane and Peter kissed, not Spider-Man, but the real Peter Parker.

Gloria almost melted into the affection in those deep blue eyes, but as the moment she had been waiting for finally arrived, Gloria didn't feel the joy of fireworks blooming in full.

The happiness that was supposed to blossom remained suspended in Peter's brief moment of bewilderment.

Was that... sadness?

Gloria doubted her eyes. She actually tasted sadness in Peter's bewildered daze?

It must be her illusion, right?

It was clearly a happy ending for two lovers who had finally come together after overcoming many difficulties.

But the happiness she had imagined didn't come, instead, she began to fall, free-falling slowly, calmly, but never ceasing, plunging into that pool of deep blue eyes, slowly swallowed by the azure.

Deeply, deeply, Peter was also actively responding to Mary Jane.

However, Gloria saw a touch of determination on Peter's face.

The sadness and pain slowly faded from between his brows, eventually evolving into firmness.

Involuntarily, Gloria's vision blurred.

But why?

Two people in love finally embraced each other after overcoming numerous difficulties.

Peter, who had gone through countless hardships, finally found a warm harbor in his scarred and weary state.

After the storm, he was finally able to enjoy a moment of peace.

At such a moment, she was silently shedding tears like a fool.

Gloria didn't know what was wrong with herself, like a madwoman.

The kiss ended, their lips parted.

Mary Jane also noticed, the heat of happiness dissipated, and she vaguely felt a sense of unease.

She cupped Peter's face, trying to seek a response.

However, Peter lowered his eyes, not looking directly at Mary Jane:

I really want to tell her how much I love her, but...

Peter raised his eyes to look at Mary Jane, a trace of sadness in his eyes, the corners of his mouth gently raised, pulling out a smile, but slowly shattering in sorrow.

"I can't."

He said.

Mary Jane didn't understand, fear and panic gripped her heart, her eyes already moist, her voice trembling uncontrollably, "You can't what?"

Peter didn't look away, deeply, just deeply gazing at the face he had loved all his life, using all his strength to control the tears in his eyes, the smile on his lips becoming more and more brilliant, carefully concealing the bitterness and struggle behind it.

"Tell you... everything. I mean, there's too much."

Mary Jane didn't understand the meaning behind Peter's words, and breathed a slight sigh of relief, "Yes, there's too much."

Peter stared intently, "I want you to know that I will always be with you, I will always take care of you, I promise."

Taking a deep breath, he almost used all his strength to say the following sentence.

"I will always be your friend."

Mary Jane finally realized, "Just friends?"

Peter didn't respond.

Mary Jane's heart sank, looking at Peter in despair, "Peter Parker?"

Peter just looked at Mary Jane, motionless, "I can only give you this much."—

I'm sorry.

His eyes, slightly moist, Peter smiled, trying to hide his tears with a smile, but he didn't expect the tears to still linger on his eyelashes.

Mary Jane could no longer control herself, and tears fell heartbrokenly.

Peter raised his hand, trying to wipe away Mary Jane's tears, but ultimately lowered it powerlessly.

Biting his teeth, Peter still resolutely turned and left.

Robert Ebert watched the big screen, his thoughts spreading into the darkness with Peter's turning motion: unexpected, a 100% unexpected ending.

But, wonderful! Perfect!

Completing the loop in this way, not for sadness's sake, nor for reunion's sake, the clues laid out from the first act, all the way to the final act, completing the thread—

A story of a boy's growth, a story of a superhero's awakening, a story of struggling between justice and self and moving forward with burden.

So light and so complete, most importantly, showing the essence of tragedy in simple character relationships, not only bold and courageous, but also brilliant.

Previously, Robert was still curious about how the third act would end, how the character arc would land, and now, the film gave a perfect answer.

Even Robert, watching Peter turn and leave, could deeply feel that kind of pain, love sublimating to a whole new level.

At this moment, heartbreak and strength, the price of growth, were perfectly interpreted.

Without a doubt, this is a new way to open up youth films/superhero films.

It's unbelievable that Sony Columbia actually agreed to such an ending, it's incredibly bold.

Besides admiring, Robert had completely entered the story, and completely fell in love with the character of Peter Parker—

This was definitely something Robert hadn't anticipated before the movie started.

Surprise?

Absolutely a surprise!

Mary Jane was stunned, suddenly waking up from her sadness, raising her hand to touch her lips, her eyes surging with a piece of bewilderment and surprise.

Turning around, she stared at Peter's receding figure, no longer sad, as if struck by lightning, standing blankly in place, shocked.

Peter, from hesitation to firmness, his pace getting faster and faster, slowly straightening his back, striding forward with his head held high—

No matter how the future unfolds, I will never forget this sentence: With great power comes great responsibility. This is my gift, my curse.

Who am I?

I am Spider-Man.

One step, then another, Peter strode away.

Then, Peter transformed back into Spider-Man, traversing the skies of New York, more free, more joyful, and more determined, opening his arms to embrace his new identity, finally landing on the top of the Empire State Building in the steel forest, looking ahead with determination.

The movie ends.