Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Spider-Man: No Way Home
- 3.5/5 Cameras 🎥🎥🎥.5
- Directed by: Jon Watts
- Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Benedict Cumberbatch, et al
- Where to find it: In cinemas now
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Rarely does a film generate the buzz and rumourmongering
this one has. Naturally, all this talk has paved the way to sky-high
expectations for many of us, expectations it would be near impossible to fully
satisfy with the return of several classic villains from Sam Raimi’s original
Spider-Man trilogy as well as those from Marc Webb’s Amazing Spider-Man films,
as well as endless rumours regarding the possibility of Tobey Maguire and
Andrew Garfield returning in some capacity. Spider-Man: No Way Home certainly
has the hype, but does it have the quality?
No Way Home picks up exactly where Far From Home left off;
Spider-Man’s identity has just been revealed and the death of Mysterio has been
pinned on him. As those around him start to face the consequences Peter decides
to ask Doctor Strange to make it so that people forget about his identity being
given away. Unfortunately, Peter begins meddling with the spell mid-cast
resulting in a load of familiar-looking villains from other Spider-Man
universes being pulled into this one. Naturally, chaos ensues. To say a huge
amount more than that is probably to give too much away; as said, ahead of
release rumours were flying and to confirm or deny them now would be a
disservice to the filmmakers.
The film’s main qualities are in its characters and the
chemistry between them. Tom Holland is once again excellent as Peter
Parker/Spider-Man, carefully and efficiently balancing the cocky fun of a
superhero in his prime with the more vulnerable side of a kid looking to get
into a good college. This dynamic has been at the heart of the last two
Spider-Man films and continues to shine here. Elsewhere Zendaya and Jacob
Batalon return as MJ and Ned respectively. The chemistry between this main trio
remains as strong as ever, and scenes involving the three of them are a joy to
watch. Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange also plays a pivotal role in the
film, and a couple of other MCU regulars make appearances, each bringing their
normal charm. Of the returning villains,
Alfred Molina as Dr. Octopus and Willem Dafoe as Green Goblin are given the
most to do and Dafoe, in particular, is an engrossing watch, carrying over the
manic energy that helped make Sam Raimi’s 2002 Spider-Man film so brilliant. The
other villains the film pulls in are given considerably less to do and feel a
little unnecessary, though it is fun to see some familiar faces.
Seeing all these characters interacting is excellent fun,
and the film manages to bring some real emotional weight to its story too,
particularly in its portrayal of Peter’s relationship with Aunt May (Marisa
Tomei) and in Peter grasping with the idea of growing up. The trouble with the
movie is that the more you think about why anything is happening, the less sense
it makes. I’m not opposed to films being dumb fun, in fact, I actively enjoy it
when films are, but No Way Home feels like it’s trying to be something bigger,
and yet manages to be devoid of internal logic and consistency. It’s hard to
really explain exactly how this is the case without spoiling the plot, but
certain actions taken by characters don’t seem to have the consequences they
should, and certain plot points get rushed over while others get dragged out
and seem almost pointless. This leads to a film that’s fun and exciting in the
moment, but a little confused and disappointing retrospectively. It’s a problem
I also experienced with Avengers: Endgame, where as an MCU and comics fan I
love what I’m seeing, but as a more general film fan, they just don’t quite hit
the mark.
With regards to action and effects, all is up to the usual
MCU standard, with a fight involving Doctor Strange, as well as the climax at
the Statue of Liberty being standouts in this department. It’s fun to watch,
even if it’s not really anything new. I also enjoy the tone of the film, which
as touched upon before strikes a good balance between funny and heartfelt. If
only someone had come in to tighten up the story and iron out the
inconsistencies this could have been great. As it is, it’s just good.
Spider-Man and wider MCU fans will get a lot out of this, but don’t think about
it too much and don’t bother showing it to those not already invested in the
MCU.
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