Directed by Jon Watts
Written by Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers
Starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jacob Batalon
Jon Watts and Tom Holland are back with another exhilarating collaboration with Spider-Man: No Way Home. The newest addition to the franchise picks up exactly where ‘Far from Home’ left off. Peter Parker has been framed for the murder of Beck, and his identity has been revealed. Everyone associated with Spider-Man comes under scrutiny but when college starts looking impossible for MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Batalon), Peter sparks the idea to ask Dr Strange (Cumberbatch) to make the world forget they’d ever found out that he was Spider-Man in the first place. When Peter realises this could mean the people closest to him would also forget, he starts meddling with the spell, and of course, chaos ensues.
The whole film is a roller-coaster that I recommend Marvel fans see as soon as they can, to avoid spoilers. Every second is the film is entertaining, whether it be fun, funny, sad, suspenseful. It has it all. Watts has successfully created one of the best Spider-Man movies so far, one that has great depth. You can’t even tell it was filmed during the dreaded COVID era unless you really overthink it.
Zendaya and Jacob Batalon get a lot more involved this time around. Peter needs their help, and they are happy to oblige. Both give heart-warming performances, showcasing the clear bond and chemistry that the acting trio share in real life. Tom Holland is the clear winner in this film though. Not only does he act his butt off, but you can also undoubtedly the see the love and passion that he has for this character. Peter goes through a lot in this movie, but most of all, he grows up. Watts and Holland have successfully ended the coming-of-age trilogy that we have been watching since Spider-Man: Homecoming. Knowing now that Holland has signed on for another three films, we meet the adult Spider-Man that we are going to watch in the future. Holland has successfully transformed the enthusiastic teen, desperate to be in the Avengers, into a true hero that now fully understands with “great power comes great responsibility.”
There isn’t much else to say, other than go watch this now. Watts has created another hit that fits perfectly into the MCU catalogue, that is also extremely rewatchable. The experience you will get from watching this is the cinema will never compare to when it eventually hits a streaming service. It will still have the crazy cool moments after spoilers or after the second and third watch but going in completely blind will blow your mind. I guarantee even non-fans who might think they’re about to squish a lot into this film will raise their eyebrows a few times.
Spider-Man: No Way Home is in cinemas now.
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