SPIDERMAN: FAR FROM HOME
US, 2019, 129 minutes, Colour.
Tom Holland, Samuel L.Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Cobe Smulders, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Tony Revelori, Anghourie Rice, Remi Hii, Martin Starr, JB Smoove, Jorge Lindenborg Jr, J.K.Simmons.
Directed by Jon Watts.
An unexpectedly most enjoyable film. We have the history of Spiderman on screen from earlier, smaller budgeted films, to the range of films starring Tobey Maguire, then Andrew Garfield, then Tom Holland and his appearance in the Avengers movies. Tom Holland had his own film with Spiderman: Homecoming, linking him with Tony Stark, Iron Man, his being chosen to be Tony Stark’s successor (all illustrated in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame).
This time Peter Parker is on his own and Tom Holland consolidates his popular presence as Spiderman.
The screenplay of the film is like one of those old Saturday matinee adventures. It is geared for the young audience, after all Peter Parker is 16. There are plenty of adventures and special effects. There is shy romance as Peter tries to express himself and his affections for Mary Jane (Zendaya). There are lots of humorous quips. And there is a gigantic villain and the introduction of a new superhero, Mystero (Jake Gyllenhaal). It is one of those quite satisfying entertainments where one could echo the song, who could ask for anything more!
For those who like Samuel L.Jackson’s Nick Fury, he is prominent in this film, assisted by Maria Hill (Cobe Smulders). Marisa Tomei appears as Aunt May (looking and acting years younger than her predecessors, Rosemary Harris and Sally Field) and some more prominence by Tony Stark’s friend, Happy (Jon Favreau taking time off from directing The Lion King) and Peter Parker rather wary of indications of romance.
The action starts in Mexico with the appearance of a gigantic character, a broiling cloud of evil. And, Mystero, from another world or alternate world, comes to save the humans. So the action agenda is set and off we go to school where we find Peter, Mary Jane, his friend from the previous film, Ned, and other students off on a trip to Europe, accompanied by two teachers who are more comical than disciplinary.
Some of the sequences and locations, Venice, the Alps, Prague, Berlin, vast tulip fields in Holland, London, seem to have been photographed for tourist propaganda by the European Union! Of course, audiences will be delighted to appreciate all the scenic highpoints. But, the filmmakers really enjoy themselves with the monster reappearing and extraordinary destruction and devastation in the aforementioned locations.
Nick Fury, of course, wants Peter Parker to exercise his powers in the Tony Stark tradition to confront the evil and to collaborate with Mystero.
In the meantime, Peter has to avoid being recognised as Spiderman, to make excuses for his absence – which raises a lot of curiosity, especially for Mary Jane and for Ned, who knows the truth, to keep Peter’s cover.
The film continues very entertaining after a 180° twist.
This means more special effects, more action heroics, more potential destruction culminating in mayhem and devastation in London, especially of and around Tower Bridge.
All this provides occasion for Peter, who has doubted that he is the fit person in temperament, age, to be the new Iron Man in the Tony Stark tradition. But, urged on, with the help of Nick Fury and Happy, he saves the day. And, Mary Jane knows the truth. And 16-year-old Peter has learned about good and evil, life and love, ready for further adventures. And, with the entertainment value of this episode, we, the audience, are also ready.
(As always, there are scenes throughout the credits and a rather long jokey one at the end which may or may not work as a trailer.)
1. A story for a young audience, and the style of treatment to entertain them, and to entertain Spiderman fans of all ages?
2. Marvel Universe, the credits, the echoes of the different superheroes, the connections with Spiderman, Tony Stark and his heritage? Peter Parker and his age, Aunt May, school and friends?
3. The importance of the troubles, the title and Peter Parker far from home, the beauty of Venice, Prague, the Alps, Berlin, the tulip fields of Holland, London? Travel spectacle? The musical score?
4. The visuals of the stunt work, their abundance? Special effects?
5. Peter Parker, the explanation of the Blip and the pause with some people remaining at the age they were at the Blip while others developed for five years? Aunt May, different from the tradition, the encounters with Happy, the romantic touch? Peter and his suspicions?
6. Peter at school, the fellow students, from the first film, the teachers, Peter very quiet, looking forward to the trip, tired because of his previous adventures, the two teachers, their eccentricities?
7. The prologue, Mexico, Nick Fury and travelling, the effect of the monster, Quentin Beck arriving, his costume, from another world, to save the human race? The media and the name, Mystero?
8. Peter Parker, his attraction towards Mary Jane, friendship with Ned? Happy arriving, the warning about Nick Fury phoning, Peter ignoring him? Fury arriving, Ned and the dart, the confrontation with Peter Parker?
9. Peter and his wanting to go on the trip, Ned and his stories about bachelors in Europe? On the plane, Peter wanting to each exchange seats, the pretence about illness, the presence of Brad Davis and suspicions?
10. Venice, travel, the beauty of the city, the monster emerging, Mystero arriving to confront him? The elaborate fight, the effects, the destruction of the city? Mystero and his victory?
11. The Alps, the highway, the dangerous driving, the drones, going to the inn, the woman and the costume, the change, Brad and the photo? Peter Parker and his glasses, getting Edith to help, the pursuit, to destroy the photo? The dangers?
12. Prague, the repeated emergence of the monster, Mystero and the fight? Nick Fury and his presence, warning Peter to go into action? Saving the group, their going to the opera, bored, getting out, the fireworks and the parade, the attack? The Ferris wheel, Ned and Betty and their being saved?
13. Ned and Betty, Betty and her associate giving the initial tribute to the avengers and their deaths? Nostalgia? Betty strong-minded, becoming friends with Ned, girlfriend, doing everything together, Peter’s amazement? (And the later joke about friends breaking up but their still remaining friends?)
14. The drink with Quentin, heartfelt, Quentin and his speech about saving the world, Peter and his response, the teenager wanting to continue on the journey, to get close to Mary Jane? The glasses, the fact that he thought Quentin should be Tony Stark’s successor, handing over the glasses?
15. The truth about Quentin, his team, toasting them, the various functions, creating the illusions, the technical know-how?
16. Nick Fury, inviting Quentin to Berlin the meeting, that Peter should be there?
17. The discussions with Mary Jane, observing him, the truth about Spiderman, his explanations?
18. Berlin, Spiderman hurrying to the meeting, with the truth, confronting Quentin? The fights, the train, his landing in Holland, the tulip fields, friendliness, lending the phone, contacting Happy?
19. The arrival of the helicopter, Peter having to make decisions, Happy and the contact, frank talk with Peter about Tony Stark and his inheritance? The challenge, getting into his old costume, the flight, Happy contacting Nick Fury by code?
20. Quentin, the illusions, his explanations of all did for Tony Stark and his not being recognised or acknowledged? His wanting to destroy Peter and the other kids as witnesses?
21. The illusions in London, the stunt work, the bridge, the bus, the kids? The mayhem at Tower Bridge?
22. The final confrontation, Peter destroying Quentin? The role of Happy, of Nick Fury, of Maria?
23. Happy and Aunt May and Peter’s questioning?
24. The School, the adventures of the kids, the various ones mocking Peter as a weak? Yet admiring Spiderman? Back home with Ned, his breakup with Betty? Peter and Mary Jane?
25. The credits sequences – and Peter’s alarm at is being exposed by Quentin on television?
26. A Marvel Universe superhero film for all ages?
