Film Review: "Spider-Man: Far From Home" (2019).

"The world needs the next Iron Man." Well, here he comes in Spider-Man: Far From Home. This superhero film directed by Jon Watts, written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, based on the Marvel Comics character created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. It is the sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), the twenty-third film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and the final film of Phase Three. Following the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019), Spider-Man must step up to take on new threats in a world that has changed forever.

In June 2016, Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman stated that Sony and Marvel Studios were committed to making future Spider-Man films after Homecoming. In December 2016, after the release of the first trailer of the first film, Sony announced a sequel for a July 5, 2019 release date. In July 2017, Tom Holland was confirmed to reprise his role as the titular superhero. By December, Watts, as well as McKenna and Sommers, returned as director and writers, and had entered pre-production. In May 2018, Jake Gyllenhaal was cast as Mysterio after Matt Damon turned down the role. In late June, Holland announced via an Instagram post the film's title as Spider: Far From Home. By early July, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau, J. B. Smoove, Jacob Batalon, Martin Starr, Marisa Tomei, Tony Revolori, and Angourie Rice rounded out the cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in mid October, under the working title Fall of George. Filming took place in England, the the Czech Republic, Italy, New York, and New Jersey. In October, Homecoming composer Michael Giacchino was confirmed to return to score the film. In April 2019, Sony moved the film's release date up to July 2, 2019.

The film stars Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau, J. B. Smoove, Jacob Batalon, Martin Starr, Marisa Tomei, Tony Revolori, Angourie Rice, and Jake Gyllenhaal. Gyllenhaal makes a more supervillain than Michael Keaton's Vulture, Holland (as always) effortlessly suggests a heroic adolescent presence, whilst the rest of the cast seem happy giving us more of the same. 

Boasting an entertaining villain and deeper emotional focus, Spider-Man: Far From Home improves upon its predecessor in almost every way. The film effortlessly combines spectacular action set pieces with a human story. The filmmakers have delivered an iconic and compelling version of Spider-Man's lesser-known foe. We almost wish there was a way to retroactively add some of these to the original character. The web-slinging sequences are bigger-better-brighter-faster than the already spectacular ones in Homecoming, and at the same time, the film's smaller emotional moments are denser and more resonant than those in the first. The film displays the kind of poise and confidence that can only happen when you're following on from a smash hit that is also a part of one of the most successful franchises of all time. It is the best Spider-Man movie since Spider-Man 2 (2004).

Simon says Spider-Man: Far From Home receives:

Also, see my reviews for Spider-Man: Homecoming and Avengers: Endgame.