Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019)

Review

129min

Genre:     Comic-book, Action, Adventure, Sci-fi

Director:  Jon Watts

Cast:       Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zendaya…and more

Writers:   Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Stan Lee… and more

-Synopsis-

With the world recovering from the snap-reversing ‘blip’ and the loss of ‘Iron Man’, and with everyone’s favourite friendly neighbourhood ‘Spider-Man’ in need of a vacation, ‘Peter Parker’ embarks on a European road trip with his classmates. But danger is never far as a series of supernatural elemental attacks bring him back into the fold and a partnership with a powerful new ally, only to be caught up in a web of deception which threatens the world.

Three years after a deal between Sony and Disney brought ‘Spidey’ into the MCU fold with ‘Captain America: Civil War’, and two years after he fully returned to his spiritual home with solo Marvel debut ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’, director Jon Watts reunites with his star Tom Holland and the whole gang for another playful superhero adventure—crossing seas and borders to draw the curtain on a post ‘Avengers: Endgame’ world.

Holland returns as superteen Peter Parker, still reeling from the loss of Tony Stark and struggling to find his place in a world looking for a new Iron Man, eagerly awaiting a chance to woo his sharp and cynical would-be sweetheart ‘MJ’ (Zendaya), while hanging with best buddy ‘Ned’ (Jacob Batalon) and taking in some European culture on a class trip. But when ‘Nick Fury’ (Samuel L. Jackson) comes a-calling with a new mission to protect humanity from supernatural threats, Parker’s vacation becomes a chore, as he teams up with formidable inter-dimensional operator ‘Mysterio’ (Jake Gyllenhaal) to save the world, only to uncover a sinister conspiracy which threatens it.

Despite still being primarily a Sony picture, ‘Spider-Man: Far from Home’ marks the culmination of a big year for Marvel Studios—among many other lucrative years in the last decade for Disney’s superhero division—rounding off a generation of beloved heroes while ushering in a new one . . . and making boatloads of bucks along the way. But true to the man’s persona, ego and sheer charisma, the ghost of Tony Stark casts a shadow over the film, and is a key narrative component in moving the Peter Parker story forward and perhaps taking up the Iron Man mantle, although that still remains very much up in the air.

The film sees only Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers return from the large team of writers which penned 2017’s ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’, and they continue with the style and theme of a John Hughes teen comedy meets comic-book superhero epic, but with a classic American high school road trip comedy thrown into the mix—and whether intentionally or not, leaves more than a whiff of 1991’s ‘Teen Agent’, or ‘If Looks Could Kill’ as it was called in the US.

Indeed this Spider-Man outing maintains the healthy comedic balance of the first solo film, featuring funny students while recruiting from hit American TV comedy for even funnier teachers, and even surprising us with some hilariously cringeworthy puppy love romance . . . and not just featuring who you might expect.

The film’s humour is matched by its spectacle, as you might expect from a Marvel co-production, with the flashy and extravagant action crossing oceans and borders across Venice, Prague and delivering a picturesque big London finale, while its international nature also lends itself to some classic fish-out-of water comedy—although some scenes from the trailers did not make it in. But apart from the setting, there’s nothing here we haven’t really seen before from Marvel, or indeed their competition.

‘Spider-Man: Far from Home’ further underlines Holland’s claim to the Spidey throne, despite competition from the stars of last year’s memorable Oscar-winning animation ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’, and he’s well supported by a cast on good, if not quite spectacular form, while Marvel and superhero newcomer Jake Gyllenhaal proves solid without ever having to really stretch his considerable acting muscles.

Despite being a fairly simple and somewhat predictable tale, this superbug story does have a sting in its tail, in the form of an ‘Iron Man 3’ style plot twist which turns the film into an unexpected but timely commentary on the nature of objective truth in a fake news, ‘post-truth’ era, and the role of modern technology in it all.

But as you might expect, this is far from high-minded fare, and it’s not the most polished narrative in the MCU, requiring plenty of suspension of disbelief for otherwise practical elements, and taking more than a few story shortcuts. There’s also nothing in terms of spectacle which makes it really stand out, and despite the healthy dose of humour it’s not as memorable as some other MCU stuff, nor is it balanced out with legitimately poignant drama. But a Spider-Man film was never really going to do that, and despite being fairly middle-of-the-road when it comes to a Marvel film and the accompanying expectations, that’s still a polished and immaculately maintained road, carrying wonderful escapist entertainment.

God (and Kevin Feige) only knows what the future phases of the MCU truly hold, but if the rumours of it being a less integrated cinematic universe that does not revolve around a central narrative and villain are true, this film might be an indication of things to come—and although it may signal a less intricate and compelling cinematic proposition, it’s still a big, balanced barrel of fun.

The Bottom Line…

Modern superhero epic meets classic American high school road trip comedy, ‘Spider-Man: Far from Home’ delivers oodles of fun superhero frolics with plenty of humour, charm and even a plot twist, solidifying Tom Holland’s position as the ‘Spidey One’ and ending a phase of the MCU in style, while leaving us wondering what the future holds for everyone’s favourite friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man . . . and all his friends.

Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

After entering the superhero fray during the ‘Avengers’ family quarrel, ‘Peter Parker’ struggles to balance his powers with new-found responsibility while navigating the treacherous waters of adolescence, only to be confronted by a dangerous anarchic force who threatens the city in this long-awaited return of your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man to his spiritual home at Marvel.

Directed by Jon Watts and starring Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr. and Michael Keaton among others.

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