Spider-Man: Far from Home, rated PG-13
*** ½
Spider-Man: Far from Home is an entertaining sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming, and the 23rd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film includes comedy, romance and some of the usual Marvel action/violence, along with some relatively light adult language.
The film is directed by Jon Watts (Spider-Man: Homecoming), and written by Emmy nominee Chris McKenna (Community, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle), and Emmy nominee Erik Sommers (American Dad!, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle). The film had a budget of approximately $160 million.
The film picks up after the end of Avengers: Endgame. Peter Parker, played by Tom Holland (Spider-Man: Homecoming) is mourning the loss of his mentor Tony Stark/Iron Man who died at the end of Avengers: Endgame. Peter’s aunt May, played by Oscar winner Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny) hosts a benefit for the those returning from “the Blip”, Thanos’ finger snap of destruction that eliminated half of the population. They have returned five years later, just as they were, but everyone else has aged five years.
Peter is hoping to just be your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man by night, and a normal high school student in Queens by day along with his best friend Ned, played by Jacob Batalon (Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers). Peter is excited about a trip with his science class to Europe, where he plans to tell M.J., played by Zendaya (Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Greatest Showman) his feelings for her. Peter doesn’t even pack his Spider-Man suit for the trip.
The trip is led by the overwhelmed chaperons Mr. Harrington, played by Martin Starr and Mr. Bell, played by J.B. Smoove. Their plan is to begin in Venice and then head to Paris. Peter plans a special moment with M.J. at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Nick Fury, head of the Avengers, played by Oscar winner Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Glass, Avengers), repeatedly tries to get ahold of Peter, who refuses to take his calls. Fury and Maria Hill, played by Cobie Smulders (Avengers), are facing a new threat, and still dealing with the loss of Iron man, Captain America, Black Widow and others. None of the remaining Avengers (Captain Marvel, Thor, etc.) are available. Fury and Hill need help taking down a formidable new villain, the Elementals, giant fire and water creatures from another universe, who are intent on destroying the earth, starting in Venice, Italy. So, they turn to Mysterio/Quentin Beck, a mysterious new superhero, who says he is from an alternative earth which the Elementals have destroyed, is played by Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain, Nightcrawler). Fury continues to try to contact Parker, and Tony Stark’s former assistant, Happy Hogan, played by Emmy nominee Jon Favreau (Dinner for Five, Chef, Avengers, Iron Man) encourages Peter to take his calls. Peter also sees Happy flirt with Aunt May, and he’s a bit disgusted with it.
Will Nick Fury be able to convince Spider-Man to join Mysterio and stop the Elementals from destroying the earth? Will Peter get a chance to tell M.J. about his feelings for her?
This is a stand-alone Marvel film, with none of the other Avengers appearing in it. The film includes some good twists in the plot, some excellent computer-generated imagery (CGI), and scenery from Manhattan, Venice, Austria, Prague and London. It also has some good humor and includes a few romantic stories. The musical score is by Oscar winner Michael Giacchino (Up).
Content concerns include the usual Marvel action/violence – though lighter than usual, some abuses of God’s name, and a relatively small amount of light adult language. Themes include trying to be normal, deception, romance and fighting evil.
Spider-Man: Far from Home is a very entertaining summer action film that includes comedy and some romance. And, as with all Marvel films, don’t forget to sit all of the way through the ending credits.
