In previous comic book and movie incarnations of Spider-Man, Peter Parker has always dealt with the loss of his Uncle Ben, but in the Marvel Cinematic Universe you already know that Peter and his Aunt May lost Uncle Ben previously although it is implied it was years prior to fans meeting the MCU's version of Spidey. So Marvel Studios took a step in a different direction having Tony Stark as Peter's biggest influence as a teenager. A different spin, for sure, and one the fan base has pretty much embraced which makes the weight of the events of Endgame heavy on Peter.
The story is pretty simple, Peter needs some time off to help deal with his own version of PTSD from losing Stark. His class also lost about half of its kids as those who weren't Snapped aged five years. This is something touched upon in the opening of the movie and it makes for a couple of funny moments when those who were dusted by the Snap return in what is being called The Blip.
But back to Peter as he needs some time away and is so ready for his trip to Europe. There is definitely some more of that John Hughes-esque teenage coming of age feel throughout the beginning of the film that continued from SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING. This is where director Jon Watts' expertise is on full display as he really knows how to capture this style and feeling that fits this version of Spider-Man story perfectly. Peter is enjoying his trip and trying to express his newfound liking for MJ until Nick Fury hijacks his trip and the Elementals are revealed. Also revealed is Jake Gyllenhaals' Quinten Beck, a.k.a. Mysterio.
The world is without Tony Stark and everyone on the planet is wondering who the next Iron Man will be. In other words, Stark's sacrifice will be felt throughout the MCU moving forward and it seems to be cemented that Happy Hogan will be alongside Spider-Man for the long haul, too. This is actually a great pairing and one that should be embraced and developed even more through future films. The chemistry between Happy and Peter is strong and they definitely have their fun/funny moments together.
Mysterio is trying to establish himself as a potential Iron Man successor and of course things go off-the-rails for Spider-Man. He makes a really bad decision that has big ramifications in the movie. This is some needed character development for Peter as he too feels the pressure of potentially needing to be Stark's successor, regardless of if he wants that responsibility or not.
But that's all I can really say about the story without getting into spoiler territory so let's focus in on performances.
Tom Holland is a joy and he continues to show why he is the perfect blend of live action Peter Parker and Spider-Man wrapped into a single actor. The kid shines and his future in the MCU in a post-Endgame and post-Iron Man world is brighter than ever.
Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan is a delight and what makes his performance stand out even more is his chemistry with Holland as well as his chemistry with actress Marisa Tomei's Aunt May, who herself looks like she's having such a blast in the role. Peter's best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon) and Peter's love interest MJ (Zandaya) are both fun and funny in their own dorky and quirky ways.
Gyllenhaal is solid as Mysterio and creates a character who is almost borderline cool. Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders are back as Nick Fury and Maria Hill, although Hill's role is basically background more than anything else while Fury takes on a larger supporting role than Hill.
The special effects are spot-on and even in moments of heavier CG there doesn't look to be any flaws as seen in recent Marvel Studios films like BLACK PANTHER or CAPTAIN MARVEL. Both of which had issue with CG quality in their big Third Act battles. None of that in this Spidey flick.
One of the last points to make in this review is how some things seen in its trailers are not in the movie or have been changed in the movie. It may have been due to the post-production and editing processes with some scenes being cut out, but it is obvious Marvel Studios enjoys putting things into their trailers that are not in the actual film.
SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME hits all the beats needed to carry on the tone created in its previous installment and it's a joy to see Holland grow into the role even more than before. His stardom is certainly becoming brighter both in Hollywood and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This movie is a breath of fresh air of fun, comedy, and action after the somber events of Endgame.
Finally, there are two credits scenes. The mid-credits scene will definitely surprise you and the end credits scene might confuse you a bit, but it does in fact have a much bigger purpose that comic book readers should recognize way more than the general audience will probably get it.
Written by Daniel Wolf, Founder & Publisher
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