A One Mann’s Movies review of “Spider-Man: Far From Home” (2019).
Where does Marvel go after the enormous success of “Avengers: Endgame“? At the time of writing it’s just $7M short of it’s “Avatar” target of being the biggest grossing film of all time. The answer is a joyous comedy romp with your friendly neighbourhood Spider-man.
Bob the Movie Man’s Rating:
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG-13.
The Plot.
Peter Parker (Tom Holland), still reeling from his ‘blippage’ and the loss of Stark, needs a break. His stress is not improved by his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei, in well-fitting jeans) getting ‘closer’ with Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau).
Family links means PR performances are essential. Tom Holland and Marisa Tomei. (By the way… in which film did Aunt May find out Peter’s identity? I can’t recall ever seeing that scene??). (Source: Marvel Studios).
Fortunately, he’s about to go on a European school trip; his chance to get closer to MJ (Zendaya), the source of much pressure in his lycra. Unfortunately school heartthrob Brad (Remy Hii) is also on the trip and zeroes in on MJ too.
But while in Venice a new global terror strikes in the form of a water monster : one of the “elementals”. Fortunately Quentin Beck – a.k.a. Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal), a warrior from a parallel Spiderverse – is on hand to assist. But the water-sodden monster is just one of the elementals. Will Peter Parker, teamed with Mysterio, win through and – more importantly – will Spidey get the girl?
“Are your trousers too tight?”. “Yes they are”. The well honed buns of Spidey (Tom Holland) and Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal). (Source: Marvel Studios)
“Even Dead I’m The Hero”
As is common with many of the Spider-man films, comedy comes to the fore and this one is no exception. Starting with an excellent “post-blip” tribute video and some hysterical “end-blip” footage, the laughs come free and easy.
It’s not National Lampoon’s European Vacation, but at times it feels like that. There are more laughs to be had as the school trip hits Europe, and “free-and-easy batchelor” Ned ( Jacob Batalon) forms an unlikely romance with fellow student Betty (Angourie Rice).
Even Gyllenhaal infects his role with a ‘wink-at-the-camera’ nonchalence that is giggle-worthy. “This is Quentin….” introduces Peter; “No…. ” interrupts Gyllenhaal with a ‘Smolder Bravestone’ eyebrow to camera… “that’s Mysterio!”
This irreverence extends to the main villain of the piece (who only emerges late in the second reel), revelling in the role with high camp concern for the creases in his cloak!
The Players
This is an excellent ensemble cast, brought over nicely from “Spider-Man – Homecoming” by the same director and writing team (Jon Watts and Erik Sommers respectively). Each character in the school party is well formed: Flash Thompson (Tony Revolori) for example is desperately video-blogging in an attempt to have “likes” fill a personal void (a greeting on arrival at a US airport is both hilarious and heart-breaking).
Tom Holland is great again in the role. He is surely the definitive Peter Parker. I wonder if he had a terrible cold or hayfever or something during filming, since he seemed to have watering eyes in a lot of his scenes…. even the ones that weren’t sad!
Zendaya – hot property now after “The Greatest Showman” – does a marvellous job as MJ. As the incredibly sexy siren in “Showman”, here she plays the exact opposite: a shy and geeky schoolgirl who you would think about taking for a milk-shake but nothing more.
And once again, surely shining as a future star in her own right, is Angourie Rice as Betty. She was just sooooo great in “The Nice Guys“, and here – for me – stole all the scenes she was in.
The gang in Venice. Top – Flash (Tony Revolori) and from R to L Becky (Angourie Rice), Ned (Jacob Batalon) and Peter (Tom Holland). (Source: Marvel Studios).
Ends as always with over-the-top CGI.
As always for a Marvel flick there is a finale that gives the numerous digital artists a roof over their heads for another year. But it’s all well done…. I had fears on seeing the “Night Monkey” outfit in the trailer that we might be heading for another “Spider-Man 3”, surely the CGI / multi-villain nadir of the series. But no, it’s all good.
Bad memories of Spider-Man 3…. but this isn’t Spider-Man, oh no. This is the Night Monkey. (Source: Marvel Studios)
Earlier in the film there is quite a mind-warping sequence that is reminiscent of the “Pink Elephants on Parade” of “Dumbo”! (Again, those digital artists all needed a new conservatory or two).
(Night) Monkeys?
I commented to the guy about to clean the theatre, patiently waiting by the door, that he must HATE Marvel films! (He laughed and agreed!) Are there any “monkeys” at the end of the film? Yes, actually two crackers.
The first features a very welcome cameo return to a well-loved role and provides for a great cliff-hanger ending!
And the second – which will probably bamboozle occasional Marvel watchers – made little sense at all yet was good fun!
A scene from the first of the end-credit “monkeys”. Peter takes Zendaya for a ride (and possibly a milkshake). (Source: Marvel Studios)
Final thoughts.
This is a great summer popcorn movie, enormously entertaining, helped along by a superb soundtrack by Michael Giacchino (if you want to feel some superhero energy for your morning tube ride, listen to Giacchino’s Far from Home Suite Home (LOL) here).
Yes, the movie is a piece of superhero fluff, closer to the “Ant Man” end of the dramatic spectrum, but after the “heavy” drama of “Endgame“, it’s just what the doctor ordered. Thoroughly recommended.
Trailer:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt9L1jCKGnE.
