SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME review

Public Enemy #1

Perhaps the most anticipated cinematic event of 2021, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is finally here!  When we last left Peter Parker (Tom Holland), the world had just witnessed the death of Mysterio at the hands of Spider-Man and were informed that Spider-Man‘s identity is none other than Peter Parker.  As he, MJ (Zendaya), and Ned (Jacob Batalon) open their senior year, they soon realize that their ties to Peter also affects them negatively.  As they apply to college after college, they keep getting the same answer.  Hopeful for anything that will work, Peter pays a visit to the Sanctum Sanctorum and asks Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to perform a spell that will make people forget that he is Spider-Man.  As Strange performs the spell, Peter continually changes the terms until the point of an almost catastrophic failure.  While taking matters into his own hands and pleading the case for MJ and Ned, Peter encounters a dangerous threat as we begin our journey in “Spider-Man: No Way Home“.

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” represents the culmination of Jon Watts’ “Spider-Man” trilogy.  The phrase “go big or go home“ has never been more appropriate.  Holland, as the titular hero, gives us his best performance yet; arguably deserving of serious award recognition.  The film’s supporting cast including Zendaya, Batalon, Cumberbatch, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, and JK Simmons to name a few, truly allow us to be fully enveloped in this world.  When it comes to the story, I really can’t say too much nor do I want to, because this film deserves to be seen on the largest screen with the loudest speakers and with knowing as few plot points as possible.  What I can say is that the stakes have never been higher, but the film feels very grounded due to its perfect balance of action, comedy, exposition, and emotion-driven moments.  This film will be talked about for years to come and deservedly so, it is the perfect “Spider-Man” movie!  And it really is wild to sit-back and realize that we’ve watched Peter, MJ, and Ned and even Flash grow-up in front of our very eyes through this trilogy.  I know some of you may think that you already know what’s coming or have an idea of what’s coming, but as Tom Holland said in a recent interview “you haven’t seen anything“.  At two hours and 36 minutes, the film is one of the longest in the MCU, but I promise you don’t feel an ounce of that runtime as you will be thoroughly entertained from start to finish; and by finish I mean the very very end after the credits are done rolling completely.

I cannot wait until enough time has passed so this film can be openly discussed because there’s so much to digest and talk about!

 4.5/5

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME is rated PG-13 for sequences of action/violence, some language and brief suggestive comments