Movie Review: Spider Man: Far From Home
July 3, 2019
SPOILER-FREE FOR EVERYTHING THAT’S NOT IN TRAILERS (CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR ENDGAME)
Coming off a what is somewhat socially believed to be subpar performance in “Spider-Man: Homecoming”, compared to the old films, Tom Holland, the actor who portrays this age’s Spider-Man, delivers a gut-punching, heart-wrenching, near perfect performance in his Spider-Man solo movie sequel.
The beginning of the movie is full of plot builders, along with showing how Tony’s death is still affecting Peter through a few angsty scenes and monologues, and can be perceived as slow by some movie watchers, but is necessary to the overall plot of this sequel. With the loss of Tony and earlier, presumably, the loss of his Uncle Ben, Peter was out two father figures and it was easy for him to to be lured in by a new one, who debuted in this film, Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio.
The plot centers around Peter and his classmates taking a trip to Europe. Peter, not wanting to involve his Superhero alter-ego in European affairs, decides that they don’t need a “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man”, and plans to leave his suit at home. But, as people can see from the trailers, his Aunt May figures out a way to sneak it into his suitcase for airport security to find. While they may not have seen it as a problem, Peter very much wished it would’ve just been left at home.
For me, and other fans of this character, this was a very weird point to make in a Spider-Man movie. His whole character is about responsibility and how to deal with it, yet he starts this movie off by wanting to just throw it away because he “wants a break” and is chasing a girl. That’s just not Spider-Man.
But, as Marvel Director Kevin Feige stated, this movie is mainly about Peter Parker learning to do things on his own and be his own solo Hero. It was fantastically shown, but it shouldn’t need to be a point that has to be made. Spider-Man is supposed to learn “With great power comes great responsibility” from the death of his Uncle Ben, not from other Avengers and or school trips to Europe.
The fight scenes, while they took a while to get started, were beautifully choreographed and well thought out. Peter faces his adversities very quickly and well minded, as well as using the help he was provided by Mysterio very well. This experience really seemed to teach Peter how to deal with a lot of problems as well as be more comfortable being himself, without Tony Stark and the other Avengers. This movie really set the stage for the next Movie(s).
Mysterio is introduced as Quinten Beck, played by Gyllenhaal, and is said to be a superhero from another dimension. Which sparked a bunch of rumors and questions about the multiverse, which you’ll learn all the answers you need if you watch the movie. Mysterio, while he plays the role of a villain in the comic books that creates illusions, is introduced and perceived to be an ally instead of a foe to Spider-Man.
But, in the comic books, Mysterio is renowned to use his illusions to make people believe he is a hero for fame and glory. That sparked a lot of questions from Spider-Man fans, and Jake Gyllenhaal provides all answers throughout the course of the movie.
Jake Gyllenhaal as Mysterio and Tom Holland as Spider-Man delivered an amazing performance together and one that pulled at the heartstrings of all marvel fans in the theater. They were the main reasons this movie ended up as good as it was, and it shows all the hard work they put into this movie.
Overall, this movie was not so far from perfection in Spider-Man terms, and an amazing bridge from Phase 3 to Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While it sucks Spider-Man fans may have to wait another two years for a new movie, I’m sure that it will be worth it. If the growth from Homecoming to Far From Home was any indicator, the third movie of the trilogy will be hats off the best of the franchise to this date.
