Spider-Man: Far From Home is a game changer. Not only is Spidey spearheading the MCU, he’s going to change everything, forever.

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Director Jon Watts, and screenwriters Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers return to the world of everyone’s favorite Wall-Crawler with a sequel that promises that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has more story to tell, and boy do they! The director and screenwriters manage a daunting task and do a tremendous job at building upon the foundations that were established in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame. Not only do they do a fantastic job at expanding their horizons with the characters, their relationships, and their roles within the movie, but they also provide new challenges for Spider-Man that casts a tangled web full of consequences.

It’s no surprise that Mysterio steals the show in this film in regards to his character, and how his presence impacts and changes the dynamic of Spider-Man’s place in the world. How Jon Watts handles Mysterio, and how Jake Gyllenhaal portrays Mysterio is nothing short of spectacular. As the audience, you really feel as though he is not like his comic counterpart, and when things start blowing up, you really get to see what he’s made of. It’s interesting seeing how Peter Parker reacts to each mentor figure whether it’s Tony Stark, Happy Hogan, Nick Fury, and Mysterio, you really see that despite being a superhero, Peter Parker is just a kid trying to fill the void that he has difficulty recovering from. And how that affects him and his abilities to achieve his true potential really shows. For some time now fans have flipped the script complaining that the MCU has begotten Uncle Ben and how impactful he is to Peter’s life.

It’s been hinted at in Civil War, that Peter has experienced great loss during his tenure as Spider-Man long before the events of Captain America: Civil War takes place. But in a world where moviegoers and fans alike have lived in a time where they have witnessed the Raimi films, and the Webb films all in the same decade or so, It’s fitting to not rehash what everyone already knows by heart, even if they aren’t a comic book fan. Everyone knows the story of Spider-Man and Uncle Ben, and to be fair, people have complained about the rehashing of Uncle Ben in the Webb/Garfield films.

In regards to the MCU, Feige, Watts and company made the right call to tell their own tale that carries the essence of the character and his mythology, while embarking on a fresh direction that won’t suffer from the same fan backlash that the Abrams-helmed Star Wars franchise has already experienced in regards to complaints that The Force Awakens is rehash of A New Hope and Empire. With that said, this movie takes Spider-Man in different places, and I’m not talking about Venice, Italy. This movie takes Peter Parker and Spider-Man in a bold new direction that takes audiences on a roller coaster ride that’ll have them flipping.

Speaking of flipping, Tom Holland does a fantastic job as Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Given his portrayal in the other films, he does a great job at providing the weight that Peter Parker carries as both a regular teenager and as a superhero. We get to see Spider-Man really deliver some action and good fight scenes within this film that showcases the potential greatness that lies ahead for both Holland as an actor and for the Ol’ Webhead within the confines of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Zendaya does a fantastic job and making Michelle (MJ) a quirky, yet charming character. She’s more different than what most have come to expect from other iterations and other love interests from the last two franchises, and yet, she holds her own without being annoying and being well written as a character that continues to grow throughout these films. The chemistry between Peter and Michelle feels organic, showcasing a natural progression from Homecoming, and it’s as adorable as it is entertaining to see. Ned Leeds, Peters best friend is played by Jacob Batalon who continues to deliver as Peter’s partner in crime ( or Justice?) and definitely takes center stage as the comedic relief in this film. Although his role as Peter’s partner in crime isn’t as big as it was in the first film, he still provides a ton of hilarious scenes that had audiences laughing.

The rest of the supporting cast are fantastic in their roles, providing humor and good moments all around. Whether it’s teacher chaperones Mr. Harrington and Julius Dell played by Martin Starr and J.B. Smoove, Happy Hogan played by Jon Favreau, Aunt May played by Marissa Tomei, Nick Fury played by Sam Jackson, Maria Hill played by Colbie Smulders, everyone has more time to play in this film, and Watts does an exceptional job at making each of these characters more likable and fun to see. There isn’t a dull moment with any of these characters, which makes the movie all the more entertaining whether Spider-Man is on and out of scenes. Watts definitely executes the quirky vibes that John Hughes has done in his own films such as Pretty in Pink, and The Breakfast Club, and it is great to see Watts excel at providing his own flair to this movie. Watts shows that he has definitely learned from his experience with the last film and delivers a great installment that is a massive improvement over the last film, providing stakes that really push Spider-Man and his cast to their limits.

Now I once had Spider-Man 2 (2004) as the top Spider-Man film until Spider-Verse (2018), and I still hold Spider-Verse as the best Spider-Man movie to date. But after seeing far from home, I can confirm that it is one of the best MCU films to date, but it’s not above Spider-Verse, which I say is still the best Spider-Man film. But what far from home has accomplished by paying homage to the Raimi films , and the comics, really nailing the bad Parker luck, but still making the MCU continuity flow seamlessly through this film, it’s safe to say, it is the best MCU Spider-Man movie to date, and that is the highest of praise.

I will admit, I feel that while Peter makes development, it doesn’t feel as different than where he started in the MCU. He learns a bit and matures a bit. Maybe what Feige has planned is something that will gradually occur since Tom Holland is young, and will be playing spider-man for films, which will really give time for Peter to really develop as a character as time goes by in the same way that Ironman and the other characters did throughout the entirety of the MCU.

While it is no Endgame, nor Spider-Verse, it definitely is a worthy contender that has just as much impact as Endgame in a variety of ways that will change the landscape of the MCU. The ramifications that come after this movie is gonna have fans and critics alike talking and speculating for years to come. It’s safe to say that the future is looking bright for everyone’s favorite wall-crawler, even if it seems a little dim for him, but that’s what makes for a good Spider-Man story right? Spider-Man is always living life on a tightrope between his personal life and his superhero life and leaning too far on either end complicated things. Whatever Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige has in store for the ‘ol webhead and the MCU, Its safe to say that I’m all in, and so is the rest of the world.

By Anthony Andujar Jr.

Anthony Andujar Jr. is an NYC cartoonist and lover of comics and music. So much so that it led him to writing comic book reviews in between it all.