SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME REVIEW
Starring: Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zendaya
Directed By: Jon Watts (Spider-Man: Homecoming)
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 2 hours 9 minutes
Back in 2017, I drew a line in the sand.Spider-Man was being rebooted for the third time in my life.I had had enough.Tobey Macguire played the character admirably for two of his three movies in the early 2000s, Andrew Garfield showed himself to be as mediocre as possible in 2012 and 2014.I could not bear another Spider-Man in my lifetime.Despite Marvel’s impressive track record, I decided I was going to stand for something.Spider-Man was the hill I was going to die on.I couldn’t support a reboot of a reboot of a reboot.Well, I made the absolute wrong decision and found myself digging Spider-Man again.
Used sparingly in Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Endgame Tom Holland has now played Spider-Man more than any other actor ever.Add in 2017’s first Spider-Man movie, Homecoming, and this week’s new sequel, Spider-Man: Far From Home marks the fifth time the 23-year old Brit has donned the mask to play the infamous web slinger.And when it’s all said and done, he just might be the best to ever do so.
I raved about Spider-Man Into the Spiderverse, (last year’s Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature – available now on Netflix) this movie isn’t as good as THAT, but it’s really quite good.I rented the original, Homecoming, hadn’t seen that yet.I personally enjoyed Far From Home more than Homecoming.
Far From Home tells the story of Peter Parker traveling to Europe for a class field trip.He has big plans to tell MJ that he likes her and it all goes south.The movie also deals with the fallout from Endgame and how citizens are slowly putting their lives together after that catastrophic event.
Tom Holland is so funny as Peter Parker the movies are so light and entertaining, it balances the action and comedy really well.Maybe not as funny as something like Guardians of the Galaxy, but close.I really felt for Peter Parker and the failed attempts to tell his crush how he felt.By the movie’s end I was dying for these two to get together.Which is rare for a movie, because you just know the couple’s going to end up together.It’s rare that you’re rooting for two people to kiss.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Mysterio.He’s asked to do a lot of different things in this movie.He gets to be a rugged tough guy, and deliver those trademark wacky Gyllenhaal moments we’ve come to expect from him.He’s a weird guy, and he gets to be weird throughout the film.
The movie features a number of twists, some fans of the comic books will see coming, and others that no one will see coming.Spider-Man: Far From Home has a number of “Oh my gosh, what did they just do” moments that fans of the MCU will appreciate.
Far From Home is the final movie of what is known as Phase Three in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.It plays as a nice epilogue to Avengers: Endgame, answering a few logistical questions you may have had afterwards.Also, moving the series forward in a new and exciting way.And by series, I’m referring to all these Marvel movies.
Once again, Marvel finds themselves in uncharted territory.We don’t know what’s next.Normally, these Marvel movies are advertisements for the next Marvel movie.No titles have been announced yet.Phase Four will be announced later this summer.We don’t know what’s coming out.All we know is that May 1st of next year will be when we get another Marvel story.For once I think that’s a good thing.So often we’re looking forward instead of accepting what we just watched.Endgame was everything we wanted it to be.It needs a moment to breathe.It’s nice to have this light postscript.
Two post credit scenes, both of them will blow your mind.So stay until the very end.All dedicated MCU fans know this.They’ll be happy to know that the post credit scenes are back in full force.
I don’t have much negative to say about this movie.It isn’t a perfect movie.It isn’t emotional like Endgame, the stakes are certainly lower.It’s a good summer movie.Maybe the best example of that we’ve had so far this year.Grab some popcorn, laugh a bit, be excited.It serves its purpose well of getting Marvel back on track after the tragic events of Endgame.
On a scale of "See It/Stream It/Skip It" -- See It -- A well done summer blockbuster, which has been rare this season.
If you liked Spider-Man: Homecoming, Guardians of the Galaxy, or Avengers: Endgame you might like Spider-Man: Far From Home
3.5 out of 5 stars for Spider-Man: Far From Home.I liked it better than the original.Tom Holland might be the best Spider-Man in movie history.
Movies you need to see before this one:Spider-Man Homecoming, Avengers: Endgame, and Captain Marvel