SPIDER-MAN FAR FROM HOME REVIEW

Sathujan Manmatharajah

Being the web-slinger’s fourth outing in just over a year (I recounted to make sure), it would be reasonable to assume that the over-exposure of the character and the Marvel brand as a whole would lead to monotony. Well…. not at all. Spider-man: Far from Home manages to be a fresh pallet cleanser after the behemoth that was endgame, taking the franchise and the character into uncharted depths.(Just as a warning, I will try to keep this as spoiler free as possible but so much happens in this movie that it’s nearly impossible, so take this as your spoiler-ish warning.)

From the minute that the movie started, it was clear that in many ways similar to Homecoming, it would give the audience a view of the MCU through the eyes of regular teenagers. This is a fresh and unique twist to this iteration of the web-crawler, one which is used effectively here in order to liven up the post-Endgame world. It’s also immediately clear that this flick is funny, very funny. Jon Watts, the director, carries forward the teen comedic style from Homecoming here, whilst still keeping it fresh. Almost all the jokes land well with great delivery from all the cast and each character has their individual, sometimes ironically stereotypical, style of humour which only serves as an asset to the film’s comedic value. In a franchise renowned for accepting the wackiness of its ideas with a dose of humour, this may just be the funniest. The movie is also quite fast paced, continuously giving each lead something to do.

The action in this movie is a marvel (pun intended). Each is choreographed amazingly to make the heart race, a significant upgrade to its predecessor. Notably, the third act captures an intensity that has been missing from recent Spider-man action sequences. When paying a ticket for a modern-day Marvel movie, you should expect nothing less than exceptional CGI, but the implementation of the technology here serves a purpose for the development of the characters, evoking emotion in the process. This is rare. One particular extended scene makes imaginative use of astonishing CGI to truly dazzle the viewer.

All of the above help to create a sense of fun and excitement, one which is inherently linked to Holland’s Spider-man.

(MAJOR SPOILERS INCOMING):

However, story-wise, this is not all to say that the film lacks depth. In terms of character work, this film is constantly putting Spider-man through his paces. In a world which has lost arguably three of its greatest Avengers, there remains one question; who will be the next protector, the next Iron Man? Whilst he’s always seen himself as a ‘friendly neighbourhood Spider-man’, this is an inescapable question that Peter continuously has to grapple with, whether it be from reporters, from Nick Fury, or himself. On top of this, his encounter with Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio proves to be one which is both mentally and physically challenging. Quintin Beck’s motivations are rooted in the collateral damage and the effects of these heroes; being sick of having his work trodden on by Tony Stark. Everything about him screams mystery and trickery, from his use of hyper-realistic effects, to his lies about his parallel universe origins. Peter can no longer trust what he sees as being real, and this paranoia and constant vigilance proves to be another challenge for him to overcome. Ultimately, the answer to the initial question of whether he can be the next Iron Man is satisfying and layered, it isn’t a simple yes or no. In doing so, it pushes the character into a new and exciting future.  

It goes without saying that films are works of art and are therefore subjective. If you didn’t really like the style of humour present in Homecoming, it’s unlikely that you’ll fall in love with it here. It can also appear as jarring to some that the movie chooses to tackle some of the greatest losses in Endgame with humour.

On the whole, Spider-man: Far from Home is a fitting continuation to the events of Endgame. Watts seems to blend the charm and wit that made Homecoming so fun with the high stakes action and challenges that push the titular character out of his depth masterfully, creating a movie that is able to exceed its predecessor. (Also, those post credits scenes, THOSE POST CREDITS SCENES).