SPIDER-MAN : NO WAY HOME (2021)

Critic No. 252

Director: Jon Watts

Written by: Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers

Produced by: Columbia Pictures, Marvel Studios, Pascal Pictures

Casts: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jacob Batalon, Jon Favreu, Marisa Tomei, Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina

Language: English

Genre: Action / Adventure / Fantasy

SYNOPSIS: 

With Spider-Man's identity now revealed, Peter (Tom Holland) asks Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.

REVIEW:

The story starts immediately after the events at the conclusion of 2019’s Spider-Man: Far from Home; the dying Mysterio has leaked the identity of the boy beneath the lycra. Devastated by the impact that the revelation of his identity has had on his girlfriend MJ and best friend Ned and, specifically, their chances to get into their first choice college, Peter Parker enlists the help of Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) casts a spell to make the world forget who he is. However, things go haywire unlocking the multiverse, when the spell goes wrong. 

The most fun thing about the film is the big premise the story sets up within the 30 minutes and we are slowly shown the past super villains of other Spider-man films, bringing us back to the nostalgic days of the early 2000s. Their presence immediately makes the stake higher as we know how threatening they are through their chaos they have made in their versions. I loved the way Peter Parker grows in the film through the carefully designed stakes that race to a rousing finale. Is the film’s plot predictable? Yes, but that doesn’t stop us from having fun. Though it visits darker plot points this time, it doesn’t leave out the wit and humour that Spider-Man films are known for. 

As the film connects to different multiverses and versions of Spider-Man, we are thrown with nice nostalgic moments that also revisit some highly emotional notes of those versions, connecting back to this version’s Peter Parker as a valuable learning point. The emotional stakes are big in this version that has plenty of points for us to tear, smile and learn. The final act of the film stacks on more surprises and fan service for audiences across a few generations. Though the throwbacks look forced at times (in the bloated running time), any viewer who has a history with these characters (i.e., most cinemagoers of the past 20 years) will likely have trouble resisting the joy of it all. 

Tom Holland does his role really well as usual but for me the show stealers are the super villains who really brings up the mood of the film. Willem Dafoe and Alfred Molina shine the most from the lot which shows the unfilled big shoes they have left off decades ago. Besides the villains, other supporting roles such as MJ, Ned, Happy and Aunt May have also given polished performances and it is great to see a balanced screen time for all. Even though the film is jam packed with multiple characters and plots, Jon Watts assured direction ensures that the film doesn't
lose focus on its core objective of Spider-Man's learning journey, resulting in a memorable, grand finale to the trilogy.

VERDICT:

Packed with bombastically fun set pieces and nostalgia, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ is a near perfect crowd pleaser that is both entertaining and affecting. 

CELLULOID METER- 3.75/5: