Writer: Chris McKenna
Director: Jon Watts
Cast: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, and Jake Gyllenhaal
In the aftermath of the greatest threat the Earth has ever faced, Peter Parker is struggling to find his balance. Fighting desperately to grieve his fallen mentor, protect his neighborhood, and have a social life, is exhausting for the teenage hero. When he finally has the chance to take a short break from the chaos, the world needs him to step up once again, this time all on his own. With so much at stake, will Spidey rise to the occasion or will the young Peter find himself in over his head?
Far From Home is the first film to follow this Spring’s blockbuster mega-hit, “Avengers: End Game”. The story begins a few months after Tony’s passing, as the entire world tries to recover from the devastating snap that wiped out half of humanity. Though End Game left many of us fans distraught, after the loss of several beloved characters, Far From Home, provides some much-needed closure and brings back a lot of the humor we expect from this franchise. The film starts with a hilarious but poorly edited Oscaresque type slideshow, depicting all the fallen Avengers and providing insight into the “post-snap” world. As the strains of Whitney Houston’s, “I Will Always Love You” fade, we are faced with the crushing reality that the Avengers won’t be the same. Tony Stark left some pretty big shoes to fill and has posthumously appointed Spider-Man, as a leader in the Avengers with full access to his resources. Though heroism is second nature to Peter, the teen is in desperate need of a break and some normalcy. In the role, Tom Holland maintains a youthful realism that is endearing. He is at once mature enough to understand his role as a hero and childlike in his desire to enjoy a leisurely Summer. Unfortunately, his plans for a relaxing vacation are thwarted immediately by a persistent Nick Fury, who simply will not take no as an answer. The story accurately captures the real angst of an exhausted young man who just wants to be left alone long enough to have a life. Holland’s Spider-Man has the distinction of being the youngest in franchise history, therefore giving the audience a broader and more intricate look into the early years of the hero. Unlike his predecessors, this incarnation of Spider-Man is still under 18 at the start of his 2nd standalone film. Despite his abilities, he’s still a child and desperate to have a somewhat normal teen experience. Through this film and subsequent installments, we will witness his coming of age in a way we weren’t able with the earlier versions. In “Spider-Man: Homecoming”, we saw him concede a position with the Avengers and resign himself to his Queen’s neighborhood. In this film we see his growth as a hero as he settles into his own, claiming his rightful position as an Avenger.
Along for this adventure in maturity, is a new addition to the MCU, Quintin Beck aka Mysterio. Comic book fans know the character as one of Spider-Man’s greatest adversaries. For his cinematic debut, Mysterio takes a departure from his comic roots with a grander introduction. In his first comic appearance, Mysterio tries to frame Spidey for a basic bank robbery. With this film, Beck is presented as a hero, saving the planet from a formidable threat, but just as in the comics, things are not always as they seem. The big reveal occurs just past the halfway mark through the film and provides the framework for Spider-Man’s biggest triumph as a solo hero and sets up the next MCU saga. While this film in no way tops the action-packed emotion thrill ride of Avengers: End Game, it certainly refreshes the franchise as we head forward into a brave new timeline with infinite possibilities. There are plenty of stories left untold, and thanks to not one but two end credit scenes, fans can be sure those tales will be told, sooner than later.
Spider-Man: Far From Home swings into theaters on Tuesday, July 2, 2019!