[Review] Spider-Man: Far From Home

If it feels like there have been a lot of Spider-Man appearances on the big screen lately, that’s because there have been. But you know what? As long as they keep being this much fun, then I’m not complaining.

Tom Holland (the best Peter Parker) suits up again as the masked web-slinger. While the last Spidey film was a Homecoming, this one is a journey Far From Home, which means the plot consists of Peter and his classmates embarking on a school trip across Europe. The kid just wants to enjoy the scenery and tell his crush (played by Zendaya) that he likes her, but the vacation is interrupted when colossal water, air, and fire creatures begin to wreak havoc upon the itinerary. 

Following the dramatic fallout of Avengers: Endgame, this film takes a decidedly lighter and funnier route, which is really how Spider-Man movies should be. A clever and hilarious opening sequence that involves a high school daily news segment sets the tone of levity with flickering winks and nudges. The story is stuffed with classic coming-of-age and teen comedy elements. It’s consistently entertaining and enjoyable, the momentum is quick on its feet, and all the jokes hit their targets.

But it isn’t all a breeze. There’s a lot weighing on Peter Parker’s mind this time around. He’s still mourning the loss of his beloved superhero mentor (if you saw Avengers: Endgame, you know who that is). And there’s a sticky push and pull between just being a kid or saving the world. It’s a lot of pressure, and it’s hard to keep your identity a secret when you’re always being called into action! Speaking of being called into action, frequent Marvel stalwart Samuel L. Jackson returns as agent Nick Fury, and a fully-game Jake Gyllenhaal cruises in as an illusion-wielding superhero named Mysterio. Gyllenhaal is great here, and I’ll just say that Mysterio is a very fitting name for this character. 

The greatly cast Tom Holland continues to shine with a blend of wide-eyed exuberance and down-to-earth awkwardness. He’s truly what Peter Parker always should have been. And hopefully the kid actually will get to experience a normal day of high school one day, but that doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon. A vacation is definitely out of the possibility. 

( 8/10 )