As I mentioned in my review of Spider-man: Into The Spider-Verse, Spider-Man and Superman are among my all-time favorite heroes. There’s even a comic book where these two heroes meet. The potential for a film adaptation is immense. Spider-man: Far From Home marks the twenty-third installment in the MCU, effectively concluding Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Three.
Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and his aunt May (Marisa Tomei) were both victims of Thanos’ snap, only to be resurrected following the events of Avengers: Endgame. The world has shifted, with younger siblings now older, as those who returned retained their original age. Peter Parker grapples with the loss of his mentor and desires respite. However, during a school trip to Europe, Venice faces an attack by a water-based elemental. Spider-Man intervenes, but finds himself outmatched until the enigmatic superhero Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) appears to combat the threat. It soon becomes evident that Earth confronts a new crisis, and Spider-Man and Mysterio must unite to avert disaster.
I appreciated Spider-man: Homecoming from 2017; it presents a compelling iteration of Spider-Man on the screen, and Tom Holland delivers a remarkable performance. Beyond his acting talent and range, Holland’s gymnastic abilities enable him to perform many of his own stunts. While CGI and stunt performers contribute, he undertakes a significant portion of the action sequences himself. Furthermore, this portrayal captures Spider-Man as a genuine teenager, navigating the complexities of adolescence amplified by the responsibilities of being a superhero. While the origin story is omitted, the film effectively traces Peter Parker’s evolution into a more accomplished Spider-Man, a narrative arc that commenced in the first film and progresses in Spider-man: Far From Home.
Zendaya embodies the contemporary MJ, now named Michelle Jones instead of Mary-Jane, and serves as Peter Parker’s primary love interest. Their awkward attempts at connection are portrayed with sincerity and humor. While I found her character less engaging in Spider-man: Homecoming, she truly shines in this installment.
The casting of Jake Gyllenhaal as Mysterio is a particularly astute choice, partly due to his past consideration for the role of Spider-Man when Tobey Maguire sustained a back injury prior to the filming of Spider-man 2. Gyllenhaal’s charisma lends credibility to Mysterio, facilitating the audience’s understanding of Peter Parker’s admiration and subsequent decisions. To avoid spoilers, I recommend viewers refrain from watching trailers or seeking information prior to viewing the film.
Jon Favreau, director of Iron-Man Part One and Two, reprises his role as Happy Hogan within the MCU, potentially receiving his most substantial screen time in Spider-man: Far From Home. Happy contributes significantly to the film’s humor, maintaining a balanced tone, and a scene on an airplane provides a compelling interaction between Happy and Parker.
Marisa Tomei and Samuel L. Jackson also warrant mention, as their expanded roles seamlessly integrate into the narrative.
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. The script and direction are harmoniously aligned with the performances. The humor is well-calibrated, and the blend of teenage struggles and superhero action is executed effectively. Just as the film appears to be concluding, the first of two post-credit sequences emerges. During this sequence, a particular character’s appearance elicited an enthusiastic reaction from me. This development significantly elevates anticipation for Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Four, as Spider-man: Far From Home culminates in a noteworthy cliffhanger. Highly recommended.
