The 2017 Spiderman effort, Spiderman: Homecoming, was the third attempt at a Spiderman franchise and, in my estimation, the least successful of all efforts combined. In tailoring the Spiderman franchise for a younger audience it dialed down the human drama and dialed up the humor and, largely, it fell flat. If one had ever wondered what Spiderman might look like adapted as a sitcom, Spiderman Homecoming was there to answer that question. The bigger question was why anyone would go to the movies to see a Spiderman filled with cheap jokes when there are endless repeats of any number of sitcoms on the small screen to fill that void.
Samuel Jackson, Tom Holland & Jake Gyllenhaal in Spiderman: Far From Home
But line up they did much like lemmings falling off of the proverbial cliff and so now we have, Spiderman: Far From Home. The good news is that it’s least a hair better than that last film, although I realize that’s faint praise. The groan inducing humor is still there, albeit thankfully in smaller doses and at least there’s a plot that’s rousing enough to keep viewers from falling into a deep slumber during its unspooling. The calculated feeling that hung over the last film still lingers but in a smaller way.
Our story kicks into gear as Peter Parker/Spiderman (Tom Holland) and his classmates are heading for a jaunt across Europe. Pete, of course, has the hots for Mary Jane and is more concerned about making a good impression on her than any of the delights the trip might offer. The trip is interrupted by the arrival of a creature, made out of liquid, wrecking havoc at precisely the same location that old Pete and company happen to be holed up. Spiderman shows up in the hopes that he’ll save the day but he’s aided by a potential ally going by the moniker of Mysterio and played by Jake Gyllenhaal.
In the interest of not spoiling the film’s surprises I’ll not divulge any more details other than to say some characters have underlying motives not in the best interests of the planet. This all leads to a predictable finale wherein anyone with sense enough to tie their own shoelaces can pretty much predict the outcome.
Spiderman: Far From Home works best as a bridge between the last Avengers film and the new phase of superhero pics coming down the pike. Viewers who keep that fact in mind can sit back and enjoy the film for what it is, which is filler of the highest order.
Spiderman: Far From Home is playing everywhere.
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