Major Spoilers
After the effect on his friends when Spider-Man’s true identity is revealed, Peter Parker goes to Stephen Strange for help, but the spell has dire consequences.
Picking up just where the last one left off, Marvel cinematic universe fans rejoice, even longtime comics Spidey fans may enjoy. Both fans original Spider-Man trilogy and of the two Amazing Spider-Man films get closure. Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire reprise their roles, albeit they matured which is reflected wonderfully in where they are as their spidermen. They give Tom Holland’s Peter advice, at times humorous, but offers there characters redemption and resolve.
Director Jon Watts delivers a well directed spectacular outing, despite some continuity (mostly editing issues). Watts, writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommer achieve the seemingly impossible, by creating a coherent story while shoehorning in all three Spider-Man’s and more villains than you can shake a stick at. Credit to the casting director for getting Jamie Foxx, Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, Rhys Ifans and Thomas Haden Church back on screen respectively. If de-ageing effecs are used, they’re pretty seamless. What is impressive is that all the actors are on fine form and get enough screen time and story beats so nobody feels short-changed. Lead Holland, Zendaya’s memorable M. J. and supporting cast including; J. K. Simmons, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jacob Batalon, Jon Favreau and Benedict Wong to name a few slot in nicely.
There are plenty of multiverse spells, well-staged action sets ups and shenanigans, but the reason it arguably surpasses many of the bloated, overlong Marvel outings, is its emotional core. Holland and company never lose sight of what makes Peter so likeable and vulnerable. This carries over from the Spider-Men counterparts and offers plenty of emotional clouts, not just in terms of doing the right thing but in the high stakes storyline and the sucker-punch of Aunt May’s fate mirroring Uncle Ben’s demise.
While we don’t get the inclusion of Nicholas Hammond’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man; there is a nod to his Spider-Man in the closing, with the classic comic suit design. Tom Hardy welcomingly appears as Eddie Brock / Venom in a talk of the town, head-scratching mid-credits scene at a bar. The after credit scene sets up Dr Strange 2 and connects to the ‘What If…’ series and has little to do with the Spider-Man character.
Overall, despite some ‘fridge logic’, it’s fun, but it’s the memorable multiversal mayhem that plays on nostalgia and comic callbacks, that defines this Spider-Man outing as opposed to a Spidey film. It makes you feel anything is possible, maybe we’ll even get an 80’s Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends live-action one day.
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