A superhero movie that falls under the genre of teenage romance—a tad charming, but not exactly a solid, consequential work.

Dir. Jon Watts
2019 | USA | Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi | 129 mins | 2.39:1 | English
PG (passed clean) for sci-fi action violence, some language and brief suggestive comments

Cast: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau
Plot: Following the events of “Avengers: Endgame”, Spider-Man must step up to take on new threats in a world that has changed forever.
Awards: –
Distributor: Sony Pictures

Accessibility Index
Subject Matter: Fun
Narrative Style: Straightforward
Pace: Normal
Audience Type: Mainstream

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(Reviewed in theatres)

Spoilers: No

The sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Far From Home is the first Marvel film to emerge from the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame (2019).  Some critics have called it a dessert to a satiating buffet, and for most parts the latest Spidey movie does fit the bill, though I would add in the word ‘sweet’ to the mix.  However, the film feels far less believable than Homecoming, which is a more grounded movie.

Tom Holland reprises the titular role with that awkward boyish charm of his, this time milked to greater effect in what is essentially a teenage romance road trip movie dressed in a superhero suit.  Peter Parker’s crush on MJ (Zendaya) intensifies as he struggles to be a superhero who can be counted upon.

“Heads-up. Nick Fury’s calling you.”

But at least when the world is turned upside-down (or inside-out…),  he can rely on a stranger to chip in heavily—in the form of Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal), a new character who has no earthly desires except to want to save the world.

Far From Home is mostly engaging, thanks to its generous servings of boy-girl relationship humour and action sequences that toy with the visual concept of illusion, though it is not necessarily a brisk film.  In the grand scheme of things, Far From Home is not quite a consequential work, but it should just about set Spider-Man up for bigger stakes to come.

Grade: B-

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