written by Justin Prince (@prince_justin)

Following up the absolute EVENT that Avenger’s Endgame was, Spider-Man Far From Home gives us the first look at the MCU post “Snappening” (patent pending) and what the world looks like in a post Steve and Tony world. Peter has been working steadily as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, attempting to fill the Big Metal Shoes that Tony has left behind, but when the big metal shoes are as big as Tony Stark’s, how can a nerdy science geek from Queens hope to compare? In a departure from the comic’s lore, the MCU’s super-hot Aunt May goes all-in with Peter being Spidey, rather than imposing herself as an overbearing guardian she recognizes what Peter has done and is proud of him. Needing a break, Pete joins his class on a European school trip… but unfortunately the appearance of super powered beasts called “Elementals” and the ever overbearing hand of one Nick Fury make this Eurotrip more than meets the eyes.

As a follow-up to Endgame, Far From Home departs from the doom and gloom to give us a more exuberant super hero story. Spidey is facing some serious growing pains in the absence of Tony Stark, but it forces us to remember that Peter Parker is still a kid… he may have “MAN” in his name, but young Peter Parker still has some growing up to do. This plays a major role in Peter feeling like he isn’t worthy of inheriting what Tony left him; a major ongoing theme he has to overcome in this outing.

With his friends planted firmly in the crosshairs of over powered elemental monsters, Pete meets one Quentin Beck, who comic fans know as the slippery Mysterio. Now it shouldn’t be too much of a spoiler, but Mysterio ain’t a boy scout. His comic origins have him as a master of movie magic, illusions, and holograms. These illusions are so realistic they allow Mysterio to accomplish some amazing feats despite being a man with some tech. His super power is movie magic and manipulation, and the MCU version of him isn’t far off from that. Initially seen as an ally, like all good members of Spidey’s rogues gallery… he has to push the wall crawler to his absolute limits. How the film realized Mysterio’s powers have to be the best version of the character to date. In comics, he’s always seen as a sort of C-list villain… a joke of a villain to be honest. Mysterio is no Green Goblin… he’s no Doc Ock… he’s far from a Carnage… and he’s barely even an Electro, but here… the MCU made this C-list joke of a villain terrifying.

Some of the best action sequences involved Mysterio using his powers to the fullest. Manipulating Peter’s psyche and forcing him to question what he sees in front of his face. If I can compare the MCU Mysterio to another villain, his powers felt similar to how Batman Arkham games realized Scarecrow’s powers. MCU Mysterio sits high as one of my favorite MCU villains to date, pushing our hero to his limits and giving the audience the chance to see Spider-Man grow. Much in the same vein that Vulture did for Pete in Homecoming, Mysterio does for Peter in Far From Home.

Overall, Spider-Man Far From Home was a refreshing departure from the doom and gloom that the last couple Avenger’s movies were. A fitting follow-up to Endgame and a strong second outing for the MCU Spidey. Much in the same vein as Iron Man was the linchpin to the Infinity Saga… it feels like Marvel Studios is setting up Spider-Man to be the linchpin for the next saga of MCU movies. The “passing of the torch” scene on the ship near the film’s climax was especially heart-warming.

While I’m going to miss seeing RDJ and Iron Man in the MCU, I’m looking forward to what Tom Holland and Spidey have in store for us. While Peter Parker has already been through so much, we’re just getting started here folks.

B+

Another entertaining outing for the wall-crawler