Coming immediately after Avengers: Endgame, Spider-man: Far from Home deals with the fallout from the conclusion of the Avengers Infinity War/Endgame films.
Robert Downey Junior’s Tony Stark, who appeared in the popular previous instalment of the Spider-man franchise – Homecoming – may not be in this one but his absence is felt strongly.
It’s his powerful AI technology in the form of a pair of glasses that is gifted to Spider-man early in this film that forms part of the plot of this modern and slightly political action film with some excellent visual effects.
Happy Hogan (John Favreau) is back too, as the avuncular influence as Spider-man tries to balance responsibility with his personal life, and he’s not the only link back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Peter Parker (Tom Holland), the titular Spider-man, is back and still going to high school after he and several of his classmates were returned back to life following the events of Infinity War and Endgame.
This time he’s going to Europe for a school trip which is soon hijacked by Nick Fury who needs Spider-man to help with a new threat to the Earth just as he tries to summon up the courage to ask his friend MJ (Zendaya) out.
Jake Gyllenhaal as the charismatic Mysterio is the latest potential addition to the Avengers who introduces himself to Peter Parker as a powerful ally during some very impressive action scenes.
But the theme of this film is nothing is quite as it seems and the action does get visceral towards the end as the plot unravels.
Overall, I preferred Homecoming, but Far From Home stands up well on its own even though it takes Spider-man in a more serious direction after the events of Endgame.
The post credits scenes, one mid credits and one right at the end, are both very good scenes, and ones which appear to take the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe in an unexpected direction too so don’t miss them.
Spider-man: Far From Home (12A; moderate fantasy violence, threat, sex references, language; 129 minutes)
Director(s): Jon Watts
Cast Includes: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal, Samuel L. Jackson, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau
Summary: SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME is a US superhero adventure in which Spider-Man visits Europe.
Rating: **** (Visually stunning prologue to the Avengers Endgame story)