In 2002 when the first SPIDER-MAN movies came out I enjoyed
it. I wasn’t a huge fan because so much was altered from the comics and as a
comic fan it just felt different. But those differences didn’t prevent me from
liking the movie. With the rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and
their bringing Spider-Man into it I was hopeful and that hope proved well
deserved. They got the character right this time. Now the second solo film of
the web spinner is out on disc and it’s a treat.
Taking place after the events of AVENGERS: ENDGAME, in
SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME *spoiler alert* we find Peter Parker aka Spider-man
(Tom Holland) trying to find his place in the world. With his mentor Iron Man
aka Tony Stark now dead, he does his best. But most of what he’s dealing with
is his life as a teenager. He’s surprised that his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei)
might be seeing Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau). And he still has affection for Mary
“MJ” Watson (Zendaya). What better time to go on vacation.
A class trip to Europe is scheduled and Peter chooses to go,
leaving behind his Spider-man suit. Too bad his aunt packs it for him anyway.
Looking for the right moment to let MJ know how he feels about her he finds he
has competition with another teen in the group. In addition to that, Nick Fury
(Samuel L. Jackson) shows up and tells him he has a mission for him which cuts
into his trip time.
While in Venice an attack takes place in the form of a huge
water creature who is fought off by a mystery man. Called Mysterio on the news,
he takes on the creature and wins while Peter protects potential victims from
harm. Called in by Fury, Peter learns that the man is Quentin Beck (Jake
Gyllenhaal), a hero from another version of earth, part of the multiverse. He’s
followed these creatures here to defeat them like he did there. He lets them
know the next creature, called elementals (the first one taken on in the film’s
opening), will strike in Prague. Peter chooses not to go, instead saying with
his group.
That doesn’t stop Fury though who reroutes the group to
Prague and upgrades all of their visit. Before leaving on the trip Happy gave
him a last gift from Tony, a pair of sunglasses. When he puts them on he learns
that these glasses tap him into the Stark computer network called EDITH. It’s a
burden for Peter he’s not sure he deserves.
Another attack, another elemental and Mysterio and Peter
join forces with Peter in a different uniform. They save the day and sit down
after the battle to talk. Peter discusses his life, the fact that he’s been
entrusted with this power at age 16 and doesn’t know if he deserves it.
Considering what message Tony left him, he entrust the glasses and Edith to
Beck, knowing that he’s older, more experienced and a larger hero than he will
ever be. I’d love to tell you more but it would spoil it. Suffice to say that
things take a turn for the worse, as they always do, and Peter must don the
garb of Spider-man to save the day.
The movie works on so many levels. The story of the teenager
trying to find his way through life, learning about that first love, first kiss
and more is handled incredibly well by Holland who shows he has more acting
skills than one would think. It would be easy to spend an entire film in
costume with no glimpse of the man behind it. They writers and director of this
film chose not to go that route and allow us to learn about Peter and his
friends.
At the same time we get to watch as Peter takes on the mask
of Spider-man and learns what it means to be a hero as well. It’s more than
just donning a costume and shooting webs. He learns about the responsibility
that comes with the role of hero, not just to his friends but to everyone that
he encounters. Spider-man becomes a symbol of something greater than just a
costumed vigilante. He becomes someone worthy of being called an Avenger as he
was in previous films. And Peter learns about himself in this role as the film
progresses.
The effects as always are amazing here bringing to life the
elementals in their huge glory. Mysterio is a bit altered from his comic book
counterpart but not to the extent that he isn’t recognizable. They’ve done a
great job in his appearance and Gyllenhaal does a wonderful job in the role.
Does anything need to be said about Jackson as Fury? I thought not.
Look for a mid-credits piece as well as an end credits
piece. And be happy because word came out this week that Disney/Marvel and Sony
have reached a deal where Spider-man will continue in the MCU. Until then this
movie is one worth watching and putting among the collection of MCU films on
your shelf, all to be enjoyed more than once.
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