Ryan Shoots First: Spider-Man: Far from Home
If it doesn’t feel like that long ago we were in the emotional roller coaster of Avengers: Endgame that would be because it was not. In fact, it just got re-released with some extra footage in a bid to topple Avatar for “King of the Movies”. But regardless here comes your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Far from Home. While this review is spoiler free I cannot help but divulge some of the key details from Endgame so if you are the one person who came to read a Spider-Man review but didn’t see Endgame but would complain if it was spoiled for you… here is your warning. Far From Home picks up very soon after the events of Endgame with Peter, in particular, dealing with the aftermath of losing his father figure/mentor in Tony Stark. To this day I love what the MCU has done with placing Tony in that role for Peter. It is not exactly like an Uncle Ben role but it hits enough similar beats to feel right but not the same thing we have seen over and over again. While some may not like how Marvel felt Tony needed to be at the center of everything in the MCU, I appreciate how right and on key this Spider-Man feels but without playing the exact same song some of us have been hearing since we first fell in love with the character on Saturday mornings after X-Men on Fox.
To elaborate this era of Spider-Man plays things a little different both in Peter’s abilities and his story but the heart of the character and his struggles with himself, his identity and priorities is so true to the character it is a delight to see it played so well. Spider-Man has always had a sense of misery to him and how things always seem to go south and even though this Spider is in a very different world he still struggles with many of those same things. Even though this Spider-Man has fought on other planets, been side by side with some of the most powerful beings in the universe and held his own he still just wants to live his teenage life and MAYBE have a girlfriend. As Nick Fury puts it perfectly in the trailer “Bitch, you’ve been to space!”.
Tom Holland continues to be the best on-screen Spidey we have seen and transitions the character from the small town neighborhood to the greater MCU excellently and the title Far From Home is more than just his school on a Euro Trip. The movie almost serves as an epilogue for Endgame but also a primer for where the MCU is heading next and it is no surprise Spider-Man will play a heavy role in the MCU’s future. While it is cool to see Spidey stay in New York, where we’ve see him most, and while Peter may want to stay in New York, it is clear that is not their intention with Phase 4 of the MCU. Plus we get to see a wide variety of very cool Spider tech which other Spidey films have shied away from.
Jake Gyllenhaal joins the MCU playing longtime Spidey rouge, Mysterio. Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio story is a little different in the MCU and Jake brings enthusiasm and vigor to the role. Even in the press leading up to the film whether it be surprising kids at Disneyland or showing up with Tom to a children’s hospital in full costume he appears to be diving right into the MCU family. Another character that plays a much bigger role in this sequel is Zendaya’s Mary Jane. While in the first film her role almost seemed like more of an easter egg here she is getting more to do and developing a more similar relationship with Peter that we would expect for MJ.
Far From Home continues Marvel’s hot streak and while wrapping up some loose ends sets up the MCUs future with our best idea yet of what to expect moving forward. And with the wall-crawler set firmly at the center, the future looks bright.
