Spider-Man: Far From Home
Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal, Samuel L. Jackson
Directed by: Jon Watts
Rated: PG-13
Peter Parker wants to take a fun school trip to Europe with his friends. He deserves some normalcy after the traumatic events of Avengers: Endgame, but Spider-Man doesn’t get a vacation. Can he juggle making memories with his friends and saving the world as Spider-Man?
Far From Home is an entertaining Spidey sequel that also answers many lingering questions from Endgame. Director Jon Watts directs again (after directing Homecoming), and Far From Home has elements that feel like a John Hughes movie. I also got the vibe that there was a little Lizzie McGuire movie inspiration in there. Especially with the school trip to Europe and all. I can’t blame you, Jon Watts. Who among us hasn’t been inspired by the Lizzie McGuire Movie?
Some of Far From Home’s screenplay could be much stronger. There are character decisions that feel very out of place and difficult to defend. Most notably, a specific scene involving Peter Parker and a pair of glasses. The final post-credit scene is also dumb, quite frankly, and leaves the audience feeling like the stakes of the film had just been lowered massively.
Tom Holland plays Peter Parker with an over the top childlike energy that gets to be grating at times. “What does this weapon do? Oh my gosh, that’s crazy!” “Who is that guy? Oh, wow!” “I’m just a friendly neighborhood, Spider-Man. I don’t think I can help out in any way.” Ok, you’ve fought alongside the Avengers twice. Obviously, you can help. This film is also trying to make Peter out to be some kind of mini Tony Stark, which isn’t necessary. He’s already Spider-Man. Let Iron Man Rest In Peace. The most interesting dynamic is between Peter and Mysterio.
Speaking of Mysterio, Jake Gyllenhaal steals this movie. He’s a man named Quentin Beck, who has come from a parallel version of earth to fight massive monsters called the Elementals. With Spider-Man’s help, maybe they can defeat them together. I don’t want to say too much about his character because part of the entertainment factor is seeing the mystery unfold, but it’s quite a performance! Gyllenhaal shows just how layered he is as a performer here, fishbowl helmet and all. He has one scene in a bar that is truly memorable.
Peter’s friends provide a source of entertainment when it’s time to take a break from the action and focus on the personal side of things. Peter wants to tell MJ (played by Zendaya) that he has feelings for her, but he can’t seem to find the right moment. She’s difficult to read because of her deadpan attitude, but deep down, the two share a bond. Jacob Batalon and Angourie Rice are very humorous as Ned and Betty, providing scenes that take the focus off of Spider-Man.
The action throughout Far From Home is visually impressive. At the beginning of the film, the Elemental villains look kind of cheesy; then there’s a twist that reveals not everything is what it seems. This quickly changes things to make the rest of the action very unique. It combines a mixture of trippy visuals and intriguing illusions.
Although Spider-Man Far From Home has some screenplay missteps, it’s an entertaining summer blockbuster with impressive visual flair
My Rating: 7/10
*All images belong to Sony Pictures