Tom Holland is back in as Spider-Man. He keeps this movie going, making you believe in the wall crawler. He shows the true hero side of Spider-Man in this movie. What makes this movie go is his understanding of his superhero calling, as well as his teenage angst. He shows this particularly well, when he has to make a decision to save the city or stay with Mary Jane, at the opera.
The movie starts with Nick Fury and Maria Hill, in a devastated Mexican village. This is where they witness a battle between Mysterio, played very well by Jake Glyenhall, and an elemental creature. The scene shifts and Peter Parker and some classmates are going to Europe, chaperoned by two teachers, played by Martin Starr and J. B. Smooth, who provide comic relief. Peter Parker, has a huge crush on Mary Jane, and is getting advice, from his friend, Ned Leeds. He tries and fails to get a seat next to her on the flight. Peter’s unsuccessful attempts to get with Mary Jane throughout the film, point out the irony that he’s one the most powerful heroes on earth, but still an awkward teenager, beneath the mask.
When Parker and his classmates are touring Venice, the elemental creature, reappears, as does Mysterio. Parker recognizes the danger, and helps. He states to Mysterio that he’s strong and sticky, which is a funny line. Together they beat the creature, but with much damage to the city. Nick Fury, played once again by Samuel L. Jackson and Maria Hill, who’s played by Colby Smothers; who’s given a bigger part this time, recruit Parker, and introduce him to Mysterio. It turns out that Mysterio is from a parallel earth, and his name is Quentin Beck. Beck’s earth was destroyed by these elemental creatures, and he tracked them to this earth. Parker and Beck bond making Peter feel like he’s found a father figure.
Peter is so impressed with Mysterio that he gives him a gift. It was a gift that was given to him by Happy Hogan, that Tony Stark wanted him to have. It is a very special pair of glasses. Their uniqueness is that they have access to all of Stark’s technology. Mysterio says that he is grateful. After this,scene, Mysterio enters a seedy bar. It turns out that Quentin Beck has played Parker and SHIELD all along. He is a bitter, vengeful former employee of Stark’s He has been working with a group of cyber criminals, and staged his battles with computer generated images. He’s now able to use Stark’s drones to get better illusions. Parker figures it out, but Mysterio gets the best of him. He goes on a rampage using drones created by Stark to destroy London. Spider-Man catches up with Mysterio and manages to sort out his illusions. He beats him and retrieves the glasses, using them to call off the drones, that have wreaked havoc. Parker and his classmates go home, and he is finally able to get with Mary Jane, who has figured out that he is Spider-Man. He takes her on a wild web ride through NYC, which scares her and makes her happy at the same time. The famous reveal after the end credits, shows a not so happy ending for our webslinger. His press nemesis, J. Jonah Jameson has found out Spider-Man’s identity. OK Spider-Man fans, come back in a few years, to see how are hero gets out of this.
There have been three actors to play Spider-Man. Tom Holland is the best. He plays Parker-Spider-Man, with no reservations. One of the best scenes is when he appears as Spider-Man at his Aunt May’s charity function. He has a few awkward moments with a Q and A session and leaves abruptly. It’s just another example of Spider-Man being a celebrity, but first and foremost an awkward teenager. He’s also thrust into an adult moment, when he quizzes his aunt and Happy, about their relationship. It’s more than likely that there will be more Spider-Man movies, and hopefully Tom Holland, will be starring in them.
Jake Glyenhall has grasped the idea of playing the bad guy in a movie. It takes a certain skill to play a villain, especially opposite one of the most famous comic book heroes of them all. He comes across as a father figure to Peter Parker in the first half of the film. He then becomes a true villain in the second half of the film. He’s not just a bad guy, but is the worst type. He doesn’t care about the death and destruction that his actions cause. He only cares about gaining power. After Mysterio is defeated, Glyenhall has a good scene, when he is telling the world what a dangerous villain, Spider-Man is.
Marisa Tomei is back as May Parker, Peter’s aunt. She works well with Tom Holland. She is constantly embarrassing Peter, when she refers to his spider sense, as his Peter tingle. She is very good working with Jon Favreau, who plays Happy Hogan. They try unsuccessfully to hide their relationship from Peter. Their efforts are amusing, and give the film some light moments.
Zendaya is good as Peter Parker’s love interest. She keeps him on his toes throughout the film. Jacob Batalon is good as Parker’s best friend, Ned Leeds. He’s especially good when he gives Peter advice on love, when he experiences romance with Betty Brant, played by Angourie Rice.
Jon Watts has directed a very enjoyable film in Spider-Man: Far From Home. He keeps the film flowing and it never loses the audience. This can be hard to do, with a comic book film. He has the good fortune of having a hero, who may be complicated, but is also very likeable, and never gets into the gray areas, common to many heroes.
What makes a Spider-Man movie worth its production costs? The answer is the return in value, and that the audience is given thrills and suspense. The acting seems to be tongue and cheek, through some of the film. It’s okay, because most comic book movies are like that. If nothing else, Spider-Man is the common man, and that’s how he comes across in the film. It is an enjoyable way to spend a couple hours.