Movie Review Madness: Spiderman Far From Home

Spiderman : Far From Home is really a fun Marvel summer movie break to see on the big screen. It’s big and bold, filled with humor, and truly entertaining.  I like Tom Holland a lot. He plays an innocent high school kid who has spidey powers, but he’s dorky and sweet, and still trying to figure out his role in this world.  He’s bereft after the Avengers Endgame loss of heroes. He truly misses Tony Stark and is afraid of the power and mantle bestowed upon him by Tony.

The high school kids are headed to Europe and Peter Parker just wants to be a kid, have a blast, and profess his love to MJ (the fabulous Zendaya) at the top of the Eiffel Tower on the Paris stop. Awesome, right?  Well, it turns out there is chaos breaking out all over Europe.  Peter/Spiderman is summoned by Nick Fury (oh, that Samuel Jackson) to stop it. Not too much pressure on a fun trip.

Enter – Jake Gyllenhaal (Mysterio) who seems to be able to battle the evil elements – Water, Fire, etc.  Wow – Spiderman thinks he’s found a fellow superhero to look up to and work with. Hmm.

Too good to be true?  You think?

So, the mission is crazy. Peter just wants to be a tourist. But, no…Spiderman must web sling into Venice, Prague, etc.  Who is he battling to save the Earth?  I won’t give away more.  Go see Spiderman: Far From Home and root for Peter Parker/Spiderman. And of course, Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) is awesome, as is Jon Favreau as Hap. So many good moments, laughs, and lines. Oh these kids. This is summer movie magic – get that tub of popcorn , a big soda. Sit back and enjoy. Stay for the whole credits to catch the two post movie clips.  Say, what??? And that’s a teaser….

Movie Review Madness: Spiderman - Homecoming

“Another Spiderman?”

Yawn

“Wait a minute. Don’t leave this review. Stick around for awesomeness.”

Yes, I am happy to report that Spiderman: Homecoming is absolutely  joyous. It’s  a boundless energetic bundle of a web slinging kid (fresh faced wide-eyed Tom Holland as Peter Parker) battling robotic Vulture (tightly played by Michael Keaton – villain but not off the rails nuts). Parker’s mentor, Iron Man (always just snarky Robert Downey Jr) wants the kid to keep it local – save the little old ladies and earn the right to play with the big boys. But Peter is chafing at the bit to use his skills and prove his mettle. His best buddy in high school is in awe, but somehow they are still the nerds, butts of jokes.

Poor Peter, typical teen. He can’t seem to please anyone or do things quite right. He’s not there for his Academic team, he screws up homecoming, he’s lying to his Aunt May (the ever hot Marisa Tomei), and no one (i.e. Happy (Jon Favreau)  his connection to Iron Man) will hear him out  on the evil arms dealers led by the Vulture (who  is also a “nice” suburban dad). At one point, Iron Man even yanks his nifty Spiderman outfit – he’s screwed up so much.

But there’s redemption, of course. Can’t keep this Spiderman down. The effects are eye-popping, the writing is funny and exuberant, and the movie never gets bogged down in back story, moping around, or over earnest messages. Tom Holland brings this Spiderman to life in Homecoming, and he’s a welcome presence on the Marvel big screen. No need to read the instructions on this new suit, is there? Hang from the ceiling, fling yourself into  a room, and hum that Spiderman theme song.