Spider-Man: Far From HomeOne of life's toughest lessons is dealing with having your trust betrayed. One must remain vigilant even after a crisis, because this is when opportunists and deceivers crawl out of the woodwork. Spider-Man: Far From Home is a superhero movie featuring the eponymous wall-crawler, a.k.a. Peter Parker (Tom Holland), coping with the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame. His mentor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.), is gone, and Peter is torn between his responsibilities as a superhero and Avenger, and his desire to live a "normal" life as a high school student. But the greatest obstacle of all is about to blindside him in the form of a mysterious visitor named Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal).
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Far From Home is the first superhero movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) that follows Endgame, which ended with world-shaking events including the return of half of the world's population (previously vanished in Avengers: Infinity War), and the loss of key members of the Avengers. Peter Parker, like the rest of world, feels the void left behind and struggles to find his footing afterwards. This becomes a metaphor for Peter's adolescence coming to an end, as he desperately clings to the last vestiges of his teenage life before being forced to relinquish it, as an adult or superhero. Far From Home opens with veteran S.H.I.E.L.D. members Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) investigating a monstrous storm in Mexico, which appears to be the result of an "Earth Elemental" run rampant, one which Quentin Beck is combating as they arrive. Fury subsequently compels Peter to join forces with Quentin to fight off the remaining Elementals, coincidentally emerging in Europe where Peter is taking his school trip. Long-time ally of Tony Stark, Harold "Happy" Hogan (Jon Favreau), serves as a go-between, both providing emotional and technological support for Peter--while ogling Peter's lovely Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) in the process--and trying to convince him that, like it or not, he has an obligation to follow in the footsteps of those who have come before. But in spite of the trials and tribulations that come with high school life, Peter has a newfound appreciation for it, having been previously erased from existence for five years. He genuinely enjoys hanging out with his buddy, Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon), pining for the affections of the anti-social "MJ" (Zendaya), and dodging petty taunts by the spoiled and conceited Eugene "Flash" Thompson (Tony Revolori). He feels overwhelmed by Aunt May's requests to have him show up at a fundraiser as Spider-Man, ironically retreating from an excited crowd of fans, even though he had few qualms about facing down intergalactic tyrants like Thanos. He fantasizes about buying a special necklace for MJ and giving it to her at the Eiffel Tower. He has all of these plans for his future, but the future has different plans for him. Nick Fury orchestrates events to ensure that Peter is where he needs to be as the remaining Elementals are about to strike, and even chides Peter for stepping down when invited to join in defending the Earth once more.
Peter first crosses paths with Quentin as the fishbowl-helmeted costumed figure fires green laser blasts--that look eerily like the spells woven by Doctor Strange--at a Water Elemental in Venice. But since Peter declined to pack his sophisticated Spider-Man costume crafted by Tony Stark for his trip, he must instead cling to the shadows and offer support by keeping the very city from literally crashing down around his classmates and teachers. It is when Peter and his friends are watching Italian news footage after the event that he considers the name "Mysterio" (derived from the Italian for "mystery") to be an appropriate moniker for this unknown adventurer, and lets it slip during his first (official) meet-and-greet with Quentin. Following that meeting, Quentin/Mysterio starts to fill a role akin to Tony Stark before him, both for Peter and even Nick Fury. Deprived of powered individuals like the Avengers at beck and call, Nick sees Mysterio as a surrogate superhero, capable of handling world-threatening events. Peter finds someone who can impart valuable life experience, and someone who listens to Peter's conflicted heart. Happy gives Peter a memento of Tony's--a pair of uber-Google Glass-esque shades with an ultra-sophisticated A.I. built in named "E.D.I.T.H.", along with Tony's parting words: "Heavy is the head that wears the crown." The platitude is superfluous for Peter; he is well aware of the expectations others have of him as Spider-Man in a world without Iron Man. Despite his fondness for Tony, he subconsciously views this gift as a burden--technology that belongs in the hands of Tony Stark, but not a naive teenager like Peter Parker. Peter shares his fundamental doubts with Quentin, and concludes that in this brave new world, a hero like Mysterio is better suited to saving it than a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Peter is just beginning to understand that despite the conflict raging within him, maturity comes from owning up to your mistakes.
As with Spider-Man: Homecoming, Far From Home depicts the MCU from a comparatively lighter tone than some of its counterparts; it could even be called a "palette cleanser" to Endgame. Although it is not without serious and action-packed moments, a substantial portion of the film is deliberately jovial, even comic. Consider an introduction which includes Whitney Houston's cover of "I Will Always Love You" playing over a montage of the Avengers who were lost after Endgame, only to cut away to Flash Thompson and the prissy Betty Brant (Angourie Rice) delivering a cheesy high school pre-homeroom news feature on the school's CCTV. Or a multitude of jokes about the incompetence of Peter's chaperones on the trip, like Roger Harrington (Martin Starr), who ineptly tries to take a selfie with his traditional camera, only to have it plummet into the canals of Venice. Comparisons between Homecoming and the beloved films of John Hughes followed the release of the first film. Far From Home consciously emulates that same spirit here, especially National Lampoon's European Vacation, which was co-written by Hughes. Even the end credits evoke the style of these nostalgic Eighties teen comedies, with snapshots of souvenirs and scrapbook material. And like its predecessor, Far From Home enjoys roasting the sacred cows of Spider-Man's "Earth-616" (a.k.a. the Marvel Comics universe) counterpart by upending expectations and defying cliches. For example, Ned and Betty seem like they couldn't be more divergent high school archetypes. But on the overseas flight, they become attracted to one another, and start dating--a nod and subversion both of the relationship between their comic book alter egos. A key theme in Far From Home is growth; not just for Peter, but apparently for MJ, whose attitude shifts radically during the school trip. Originally depicted as an aloof (and frankly, insufferable) misfit in Homecoming, she turns her gaze toward Peter after a brief rivalry for her affections between Peter and a classmate named Brad Davis (Remy Hii) dissolves. MJ finds fulfillment in recognizing her own awkwardness mirrored in Peter's shy social anxiety, prompting her to re-evaluate her own worldview and behavior. With Endgame representing a culmination of over a decade of expansive world-building, Far From Home becomes the first step in a new world built on the foundations of the last generation--a sentiment shared in that perilous transition from youth into adulthood.
Recommended for: Fans of a superhero movie that deals with themes of trust, loss, and growing up, but balances pathos with humor. Far From Home is a steadfastly consistent entry into the MCU, and fans of these films will find much to embrace in this newest addition to the mythos.
Peter first crosses paths with Quentin as the fishbowl-helmeted costumed figure fires green laser blasts--that look eerily like the spells woven by Doctor Strange--at a Water Elemental in Venice. But since Peter declined to pack his sophisticated Spider-Man costume crafted by Tony Stark for his trip, he must instead cling to the shadows and offer support by keeping the very city from literally crashing down around his classmates and teachers. It is when Peter and his friends are watching Italian news footage after the event that he considers the name "Mysterio" (derived from the Italian for "mystery") to be an appropriate moniker for this unknown adventurer, and lets it slip during his first (official) meet-and-greet with Quentin. Following that meeting, Quentin/Mysterio starts to fill a role akin to Tony Stark before him, both for Peter and even Nick Fury. Deprived of powered individuals like the Avengers at beck and call, Nick sees Mysterio as a surrogate superhero, capable of handling world-threatening events. Peter finds someone who can impart valuable life experience, and someone who listens to Peter's conflicted heart. Happy gives Peter a memento of Tony's--a pair of uber-Google Glass-esque shades with an ultra-sophisticated A.I. built in named "E.D.I.T.H.", along with Tony's parting words: "Heavy is the head that wears the crown." The platitude is superfluous for Peter; he is well aware of the expectations others have of him as Spider-Man in a world without Iron Man. Despite his fondness for Tony, he subconsciously views this gift as a burden--technology that belongs in the hands of Tony Stark, but not a naive teenager like Peter Parker. Peter shares his fundamental doubts with Quentin, and concludes that in this brave new world, a hero like Mysterio is better suited to saving it than a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Peter is just beginning to understand that despite the conflict raging within him, maturity comes from owning up to your mistakes.
As with Spider-Man: Homecoming, Far From Home depicts the MCU from a comparatively lighter tone than some of its counterparts; it could even be called a "palette cleanser" to Endgame. Although it is not without serious and action-packed moments, a substantial portion of the film is deliberately jovial, even comic. Consider an introduction which includes Whitney Houston's cover of "I Will Always Love You" playing over a montage of the Avengers who were lost after Endgame, only to cut away to Flash Thompson and the prissy Betty Brant (Angourie Rice) delivering a cheesy high school pre-homeroom news feature on the school's CCTV. Or a multitude of jokes about the incompetence of Peter's chaperones on the trip, like Roger Harrington (Martin Starr), who ineptly tries to take a selfie with his traditional camera, only to have it plummet into the canals of Venice. Comparisons between Homecoming and the beloved films of John Hughes followed the release of the first film. Far From Home consciously emulates that same spirit here, especially National Lampoon's European Vacation, which was co-written by Hughes. Even the end credits evoke the style of these nostalgic Eighties teen comedies, with snapshots of souvenirs and scrapbook material. And like its predecessor, Far From Home enjoys roasting the sacred cows of Spider-Man's "Earth-616" (a.k.a. the Marvel Comics universe) counterpart by upending expectations and defying cliches. For example, Ned and Betty seem like they couldn't be more divergent high school archetypes. But on the overseas flight, they become attracted to one another, and start dating--a nod and subversion both of the relationship between their comic book alter egos. A key theme in Far From Home is growth; not just for Peter, but apparently for MJ, whose attitude shifts radically during the school trip. Originally depicted as an aloof (and frankly, insufferable) misfit in Homecoming, she turns her gaze toward Peter after a brief rivalry for her affections between Peter and a classmate named Brad Davis (Remy Hii) dissolves. MJ finds fulfillment in recognizing her own awkwardness mirrored in Peter's shy social anxiety, prompting her to re-evaluate her own worldview and behavior. With Endgame representing a culmination of over a decade of expansive world-building, Far From Home becomes the first step in a new world built on the foundations of the last generation--a sentiment shared in that perilous transition from youth into adulthood.
Recommended for: Fans of a superhero movie that deals with themes of trust, loss, and growing up, but balances pathos with humor. Far From Home is a steadfastly consistent entry into the MCU, and fans of these films will find much to embrace in this newest addition to the mythos.