Endgame spoilers ahead. Can't discuss Far From Home without them. You have been warned. No Far From Home spoilers though
Endgame was always going to be a tough act to follow. I mean, you've had the grand culmination of everything in this universe, so what now. Another Spider-Man? Sure. Spider-Man: Far From Home was always going to have a hard job to do, not just as the MCU film that had to follow Endgame, but also as the Spider-Man film that had to follow Into the Spiderverse, not just the finest Spider-Man film, but maybe the best superhero film period. These are some lofty expectations, and I think that Far From Home is aware of them. It's set in a world without Iron Man, and considering the impact that Tony Stark and the MCU had on pop culture, it's also being released in a world without Iron Man. Killing off a character that was both a huge part of this universe and also an incredibly iconic figure was a ballsy move, and although the moment was handled with the right amount of gravity and weight in Endgame, there was always going to be that question; what now? I mean, it was an awesome moment, but it was always going to leave a lot behind. So, Far From Home had the task of addressing how a world without Iron Man would work, while also being a palate cleanser for the pop culture colossus that was Endgame
And you know what? For the most part, it absolutely succeeds at both of these things. The film is a really good time, the perfect franchise unwinder after Endgame. The plot is a lot more focused and contained, with Peter Parker just trying to enjoy a school holiday with his friends, until strange elemental happenings start to occur. It's a pretty fun plot to follow. The vacation motif means that the film can really have fun with it's settings, making for some really cool setpieces in Venice, Prague, Berlin and London. The idea of taking The Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man out of the neighborhood is also a pretty interesting one, especially because, in a Tony Stark-less world, it naturally falls to his protégé to take up the mantle of global saviour, but more on that in a minute
It's also hilarious, with the side characters almost being a collective comic relief. Special mention in particular to Ned and Betty's spontaneous Summer romance and the increasingly put upon Mr. Harrington, because these were the two things that made me laugh pretty much any time they were on screen. But the script is rich with wisecracks, and again, having everything happen in various European countries makes for some really good location specific jokes. Homecoming was already a hilarious film, but Far From Home is not only funnier, but more dense and varied with its jokes, with an opening in memoriam sequence setting the tone for one of the MCU's most gut busting chapters. The film definitely benefits from this lighter tone, and even though there is a fair amount of tension and drama in the plot, it's clear that this is the MCU in pure fun blockbuster mode. The setpieces are BIG here, with the standout action moments not just providing see-it-on-the-biggest-screen-you-can level spectacle, but also slyly setting up the newfound responsibilities that Peter has as a now global superhero. It's a huge step up from Homecomings mostly decent but nothing special action, and it blends so well with the humour and plot, making Far From Home one of the MCU's most purely enjoyable romps
The film addresses a post Endgame world so damn well. True, there's definitely some Blip-centric comedy, but generally it's used as the film's dramatic core. Tony's absence is felt in this film, and even if this is just a light-hearted palate cleanser, the fact that it's entirely centered around his successor means that Far From Home is able to address some weightier implications without ever feeling bogged down. This film, without giving too much away, is Peter stepping up to the plate and becoming the hero that the world is lacking, and there are some lovely scenes that really explore that idea, and a post credit scene that does something interesting with the idea of a hero on the world stage, setting up the next movie in a way that's genuinely quite interesting and not at all cheap.
And while I do think that the plot's engaging, like on Homecoming, I actually prefer the teen comedy- hangout stuff over the Spider-Man stuff, which isn't bad, but because everything before it is so charming and so funny, when the film gets into the climax, it's still good, and ties into the post Endgame world idea, but I don't know, I just love these characters and want to spend more time with them. The film does that side of things so well that the serious stuff, while still enjoyable, just isn't as fun. Not to mention that, until a key reveal, the actual plot and conflict feel a little dull, with the elemental monsters hardly feeling like adequate threats. Everything else is good enough to compensate, but the actual conflict doesn't get really good until the film's midpoint. Again, these aren't necessarily problems, but they did take me out of the movie a bit when it was particularly plot heavy. Weird complaint in a superhero film? Maybe, but loveable characters and one of the MCU's best villains yet definitely compensate for that, not to mention Tom Holland as the best live action portrayal of Peter Parker yet, torn between being a normal kid and being a super hero, especially one who had the unenviable task of filling Tony Stark's jet propulsed shoes. The film is always watchable, and as I said before, one of the most unashamedly fun chapters this universe has seen so far.
So yeah, Far From Home much like it's hero, had a lot to live up to, but rises to these expectations, delivering not just a fun palate cleansing experience that diffused some of the post Thanos tension. As a Spider-Man film, it's maybe the best live action one yet, the perfect follow up to Homecoming that takes our hero in a really interesting direction, and pretty much delivers everything that that one did, but slightly better. Endgame was always going to change absolutely everything in this series going forward, and it's nice to see that, if Far From Home is anything to go by, that's hardly a bad thing. It was definitely a good direction to take the MCU in, and I'm really curious to see where they're going to take this character next
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