SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME – A Review by John Strange
Since 2002, there have been three separate attempts to get a Spider-Man that truly works. First was Tobey Maguire, then Andrew Garfield, and finally we have Tom Holland. While the first two had their good points, I really think Marvel has found a better way to present this character to the world.
Since his debut in Captain America: Civil War, this Peter Parker has given us a wide-eyed kid who is trying to figure out his place in the world. His instincts as a superhero are being honed by some of the best mentors a kid could ask for! But the weight on his shoulder has increased with each film.
Peter has been mentally brutalized by the death of his mentor, Tony Stark/Iron-Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and the battles we saw in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. After all, he may be a Stark-level genius but he is a teenager and still in high school. And suffers from unrequited love for a girl who attends Midtown School of Science and Technology with him.
MJ (Zendaya) is a brilliant but dark young lady who has never shown much in the way of desire for our Mr. Parker. But young love doesn’t care about that. They’re friends and that is a great start.
Peter and several of his classmates (including MJ and Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon), Peter’s best friend and one of two people outside the Avengers who know his secret identity) are going on a science field trip to Europe. The trip, led by two teachers (Mr. Harrington played by Martin Starr and Mr. Bell played by JB Smoove), runs like they used one of the Keystone Cops or perhaps the Three Stooges thanks to interference from outside influences.
Will there be action? Duh, it’s a MARVEL movie! Have you seen a movie in the MCU that was boring or a “sweet little story”? Nope! As always, this movie, like its predecessors, is action-packed and full of surprises.
Spider-Man: Far from Home has several simultaneous plotlines running, some that jerk poor Peter around the continent. We have a new superhero, Quentin Beck / Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal). There was a lot to love about this movie but the utter chaos that seemed to erupt between each of the great scenes was what drove me nuts. It dropped my rating to an A-. MCU fans will enjoy this film while others may enjoy watching the action and the love story as it unfolds.
Note to all of you. Hold on to your bladders, there are not one but TWO additional post-credits scenes. And do NOT miss either one!
Directed by: Jon Watts
Cast: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau, JB Smoove, Jacob Batalon, Martin Starr, with Marisa Tomei and Jake Gyllenhaal
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sci-fi action violence, some language, and brief suggestive comments)
Selig Rating: A-
Runtime: 129 Min.
Movie Site: www.spidermanfarfromhome.movie
The Selig Rating Scale:
A – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
B – Good movie
C – OK movie
D – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
F – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
