Spiderman: Far From Home Review

Merely two months after the grandiose superhero epic that was Avengers: Endgame, Earth in the MCU is once again threatened in Spiderman: Far From Home. With Captain America retired, Thor off planet with the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Ironman dead, there is a noticeable void that now exists within the world. Spiderman: Far From Home utilizes these absences by making it Peter Parker’s largest personal hurdle, who feels constantly pressured by being chosen to fill the shoes of the late Tony Stark. This self-aware and almost meta approach to the narrative problems and character arcs by Marvel help produce some of the best and the most flawed moments of Far From Home.

The film acts in many ways as an epilogue to the events of Endgame. A still mournful Peter Parker is at the end of his first year back to high school since the “the Blip”, the event caused by Thanos that was eventually reversed by the Avengers five years later. The school has organized a two-week summer trip to Europe, a trip that Peter plans to take a holiday on his superhero duties for and confess his feelings to classmate and long-time crush MJ. Peter’s plan to be just another normal teenager quickly goes awry when large monsters forged from the Earths elements appear. Luckily, a superhero from another timeline quickly nicknamed Mysterio shows up in order to seek revenge on the beasts he rightfully calls Elementals. Nick Fury’s insistence that Spiderman works alongside Mysterio to stop the Elementals turns into a partnership that Peter Parker never expected.

Spiderman: Far From Home is somewhat of a mixed bag. It’s obvious that whatever followed Endgame would always fall short in terms of scope and consequences, Marvel’s attempts to subvert this as much as possible through well written characters or clever twists are often effective. Although the shifts in plot may come as less of a surprise for those who are familiar with the comics, the execution of important events are always handled with a care and focus that ensures each scenes purpose. Although the narrative is structured wonderfully, it’s inconsistent in engagement. There’s a weightlessness to the films action that takes the suspense away from many of the films more notable sequences, as well as villainous motives that have become harder to find threatening due to the lack of consequences in comparison to the galactic dangers the universe has faced previously.

The performances throughout the film is what helps bring everything together. Tom Holland once again validates himself as a fitting choice for the young and naïve Peter Parker, while Jake Gyllenhaal clearly has fun playing someone who is just a little bit too outgoing and great. Much of the action is entertaining but not often memorable, though the film does feature a scene that consists of a visually mesmeric buffet of CGI effects that feels meticulously crafted.

Overall, Spiderman: Far From Home is a good start in the expansive new venture for Marvel after Endgame. Peter Parker knows that he cannot possibly replace or replicate what the Avengers once were, Marvel Studios seem to understand this too, achieving an enjoyable film that never attempts to fill the void that the absences of the strongest heroes now give the series.

A focused plot and well-written characters with notable performances by Tom Holland and Jake Gyllenhaal helps makes Spiderman: Far From Home a good start to Marvel’s new era.

Produced By: Marvel Studios
Runtime: 130 minutes
Rating: PG-13