Spider-Man's Webs Wrap Up Well

The world of 2023 is still in some chaos after the so-called “blip” happened via Thanos’ snappy fingers, leaving everyone reeling from the loss of their greatest heroes. Many believe anything they hear, and most are looking for the next “Iron Man.” For Queens locals, some feel like they might have found their own replacement. The problem is that he doesn't seem to think so, even after getting called up (and ghosting) super-spy Nick Fury.

Spider-Man: Far From Home is less of a beginning for the next era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and instead crosses the “t” that was Avengers: Endgame. Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is still struggling with the loss of his mentor that he had in Tony Stark and is just looking to get a break. He thinks that his European science trip will be the perfect escape for a breather but also to connect with his crush, MJ (Zendaya). However, Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and some temperamental “Elementals” have other plans for his summer vacation. Also joining the fight is Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal), a soldier from another earth that has previous experience with fighting Elementals.

Far From Home picks up one of the biggest burdens that a film could take on—the MCU film right after Endgame. The final Avengers epic had the superheroes fight and save the world again, bringing back the lost and sacrificing some beloved lives. However, it also left both Peter’s world and our world with some questions that needed to be answered. While Peter and his friends wonder who can take up the mantle left by Tony Stark, we are also left the same question. The MCU and its viewers lost its deepest emotional base that we had with the series when Tony gave his life.

Far From Home takes that and jumps from building to building with the knowledge. The film hands a mostly still shaken and grieving audience many laughs, a lightness that sweeps through the story with an incredibly deep, emotional base. Peter is first and foremost a kid, a teen already having to juggle the complications of high school with the overwhelming responsibility of being a superhero. Holland captures Parker’s inner battles magically, giving so many layers to the character that leave you with the feeling you have just scratched the surface of the potential in his version.

As Peter battles both physical enemies and less-than-visible ones too, he starts to reset who he is a hero, also setting the MCU on a new track.

Spider-Man: Far From Home is a strong entry in the superhero franchise, but it still suffers from a few issues. The film takes a while to really grab hold and is mildly enjoyable for the first act. However, it starts to speed up, and it's hard to break away once it does. In true MCU fashion, the majority of the technical aspects such as editing and cinematography fit in with the formula that has been set up for the last 22 films and is somewhat lacking.

Holland is not the only cast member to shine. Zendaya gets more screen time as MJ and shines. Jon Favreau’s Happy helps bridge the Tony gap and gives some of the film's lightest moments and deep emotional hits. Gyllenhaal helps defy the infamous MCU villain curse as Mysterio, finally giving Spider-Man the cinematic villain he has always deserved.

Spider-Man: Far From Home marks the official end of Phase 3 of the MCU, and with it comes two of the greatest middle/end credit scenes. The film perfectly cleans up after Endgame while also setting up a new era for the Marvel hero. Details of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's future are yet to be said, but Far From Home suggests that the best might be yet to come.