Spider-Man: Far From Home

Spider-Man: Far From Home

Starring Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya

Directed by Jon Watts

**THIS REVIEW HAS SPOILERS FROM "AVENGERS: ENDGAME" 

BUT NOT FROM "FAR FROM HOME"**

The Story:
Months after Bruce Banner snapped his fingers using the new Infinity Gauntlet and bringing back everyone who was dusted, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and his classmates head off on a European field trip, but before they leave he learns that Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) wants to talk to him, but he ignores his calls.  He wants to focus on asking out MJ (Zendaya), and doesn't want to deal with another world-ending event.

While on their trip, they come into contact with an Elemental monster, who is defeated by the mysterious Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal) - who is nicknamed Mysterio.  It turns out Mysterio is working with Fury and Maria Hill (Colbie Smulders) to stop the Elementals from destroying the world, and Fury needs Spider-Man to help.  As he struggles with the death of his mentor Tony Stark and trying to be a regular teenager, Peter must also learn the importance of being a hero, and all the ups and downs that come with it.

The Synopsis:
Spider-Man has always been a fascinating superhero, because he's unlike any others out there - he's a kid, who's got his own kid hopes and dreams, which come into conflict with the hero he was born to be.  It makes him one of the most relatable, as who doesn't remember being that awkward teenager who's struggling to ask out his crush and hang out with his best friend?  While fighting evil Elemental monsters that threaten the existence of mankind?  Maybe not the second, but the first is something that makes Spider-Man relatable and enjoyable to see - he's not a polished superhero, but struggles with wanting to just be normal and knowing full well he's not.

"Far From Home" serves as a fitting conclusion to Marvel's Phase Three, as it brings the franchise back to its comedic roots, offering a sense of relief after the unparalleled events of "Infinity War" and "Endgame," and also answers questions many asked after the latter's conclusion - most notably how the world goes on after five years passed and half the world was gone during that time.  It also helps that it adds a fresh new villainous take that once again threatens mankind, as it would be kind of difficult to come up with another world-ending villain after Thanos.  Tom Watts (who also directed "Homecoming") returns to direct "Far From Home" with much more on his shoulders than before, but once again manages to provide a fun-filled action spectacle we've come to expect from the MCU, with another terrific performance by Tom Holland.

For this go-around, Spidey has to save the world from Elemental monsters who could wipe out existence as we know it, but without his father figure Iron Man to help.  This adds a deeper characterization to our favorite web-slinger, as not only does he weigh the effect of being a superhero, but doing so feeling totally alone and dealing with the grief of his own loss.  Peter Parker speaks for the audience when he says he just wants to spend time with his friends, possibly get a girlfriend, and not have to think about another world-ending catastrophe - but unlike the audience, he doesn't get his wish.  We see this internal struggle going on within him, as well as weighing in on massive mistakes he thinks he's made in the past, and how to possibly come back from them - all which leads to a unique hero's journey that produces the best Spider-Man we've ever seen on screen.

Tom Holland once again proves why he's the best Peter Parker, as he continues his youthful innocence as well as going through the trials of traditional teenagers in ways that make him more and more endearing as the films progress.  We feel empathy for him (since, after all, he was one of those dusted - or "bliped" as they say) and especially his internal struggle with dealing with his mentor's death as well as trying to live up to the hero he feels Stark thought he would be.  There's several tender moments, but none as powerful as his conversation with Tony's longtime friend Happy Hogan, and seeing that maybe Spider-Man does have what it takes to be the next Iron Man.

Joining the fray is Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays Quentin Beck (a.k.a. Mysterio) - a mysterious new hero who arrives just in time to stop the Elementals, but is there more to him than meets the eye?  Gyllenhaal plays Beck with gleeful excitement, serving as one of the more unique characters we've seen in recent MCU memory, and offers more than just a one-note performance.  Is he really a hero, or is there something else hiding underneath?  The truth is revealed in time, much like peeling away at an onion, and we get to appreciate the very layered performance Gyllenhaal gives.

Samuel L. Jackson returns as Nick Fury, who once again offers his unique style to the role and seemingly becomes more comedic than stoic.  Zendaya once again plays MJ with brooding glee, offering her deadpan humor to full extent, and Jacob Batalon returns as Peter's best friend Ned, who gets to explore his own story as well.  Everyone does great with their roles, and there's none that go to waste.

The effects in the film are as spectacular as ever, offering thrilling action set pieces against beautiful European cities, and even some mind-bending moments that hearken back to moments we saw in previous MCU films like "Doctor Strange" and "Ant-Man" that more than keep our attention and provides a well-thought-out story that's more than the sum of its parts.  Then there's those two crucial end-credit scenes (one halfway through, and one at the end) that propels the story forward in very new and exciting ways, where we can't wait to see what adventures Peter Parker finds himself on next.  So basically, it's your typical, amazing MCU film.

The Summary:
Providing another thrilling chapter to the MCU, "Far From Home" gives us a deeper, emotional performance by Tom Holland, along with the much-needed addition of Jake Gyllenhaal's Mysterio that gives an action-packed spectacle we've come to expect and appreciate.

The Score: A+