Directed by Jon Watts
Starring Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau, and Marisa Tomei
Backstory
As I remarked before, I will never not get excited for a Spider-Man film. I remember the Dark Times of the 1990s, when the movie rights were stuck in a legal quagmire, and it looked like a Spider-Man film would never be made. Now, here we are, bitching about the third reboot of the franchise! But no bitching here, my friend, as this latest iteration, placing Spider-Man alongside his friends in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has been a delight. But will the latest installment be just as delightful?
Plot
It’s been one whole school year since people were brought back from the Snap, and there’s been some difficulty adjusting. Especially for Peter Parker, who’s still mourning the loss of his mentor Tony Stark. But, he’s looking forward to going on his class trip to Europe, living life as a normal teenager for a few weeks, and opening up to MJ about how he feels. Fate has other plans, however, as Nick Fury drafts Spider-Man for a mission. Seems the Snap tore some holes in the fabric of reality, allowing some creatures called Elementals to escape to our universe. Fortunately, they’re being pursued by a hero: Quentin Beck, whom the press quickly dubs Mysterio. Fury tasks Spider-Man and Mysterio to stop the Elementals. Things go swimmingly at first, but soon, evidence starts mounting up. Is Mysterio all he claims to be? Can Spider-Man save the day and tell MJ how he feels?
What I Liked
Once again, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker captures that teenage awkwardness brilliantly. He’s unsure of himself in all things, but he’s able to pull it together when the chips are down. Probably the best Spider-Man. I love what they’ve done with Mysterio and how they re-imagined him. I also love how they re-imagined <spoiler redacted>, and their cameo was a delightful surprise. Great action sequences. One sequence with Mysterio almost made me regret not seeing it in 3D. Everything about it was just great.
What I Didn’t Like
Really nothing mindblowingly new in the world of Spider-Man. If you’re familiar with the comics and the characters, you see the big plot twists coming, but again, it’s done so entertainingly, you really don’t mind it.
Final Verdict
Spdier-Man’s latest big screen outing was a whole lot of fun. Definitely a tasty desert after the heavy banquet that was Endgame.