The Multi-Verse is here, and it opens so many intriguing avenues of story. Spider-Man: No Way Home expands the universe and does it with the funny and friendly neighborhood superhero. Here is my review for Marvel’s latest.
Spoiler warnings are an obvious element of reviewing anything Marvel since the whole premise of each film is to further the overall story arch of the universe. So yeah, I’ll try and not let anything slip but here is your official warning.
Now that Thanos is long gone, and we are into the new phase of the Marvel realm the multi-verse is the central plot device here on out. Granted new big bad villains will start appearing and change the focus of things, but No Way Home is all about cracking open the multi-verse we witnessed in the Miles Morales Spidey film.
Before we dive into the multi-verse being opened it’s important to highlight that this Spidey film immediately starts with the revelation that Peter Parker is Spider Man. Mysterio’s final act of defiance truly unravels the small web that is Peter’s world. Everyone he loves is fully impacted by the world knowing just who their friendly neighborhood hero really is and where he lives! The first half-hour of the film does a great job of showing just what this impact means to Peter.
Writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers have done a fantastic job of capturing Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s humor-filled Spider Man view. This film really dives deeply into keeping the movie funny and quirky throughout. This sense of humor is the perfect yin to the emotional yang moments in No Way Home. Yes, this phase of the Marvel realm is like the last in that it doesn’t mind killing off some beloved figures. Be prepared with some tissues as No Way Home goes full tilt in the emotional spectrum of the tale of Spider Man.
Outside of the many folks that come through the multi-verse the second act of the film is all about just how destructive this coalescence of the worlds will be. Nonetheless it is visually stunning. The effects team once again gives us something to marvel (pun intended) at. Add in the huge intro of a fella named Stephen into Parker’s neighborhood and everything is never the same. Dr. Strange’s importance to this phase of the Marvel world is something that is as massive as Iron Man/Tony Stark was to the previous phase. Benedict Cumberbatch brings his A+ game and once things go strange you are in for a wacky wild ride.
Don’t be scared off by the 2 & 1/2 hour time length as the humor, heroics and hella lotta people crossing over keeps this pace on super speed throughout.
Don’t just walk but run, jump and swing your way to the nearest theater. Spidey and all his neighborhood friends are waiting for ya!!
Is Spidey’s web wet? Asking for a friend.
Directed by: Jon Watts
Written by: Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers based on comic by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 2hr 28min
Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi
Release: Exclusively in Theaters Thursday December 16th
Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jamie Foxx, Alfred Molina, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Jacob Batalon, Willem Dafoe, Benedict Wong, Tony Revolori, and J.K. Simmons
RATING: 4 Stars out of 5
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
