Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Spider-Man: Far from Home

Yesterday I took an (involuntary) break from back-to-back Rocketman screenings to check in with my friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

To no one's surprise, Peter Parker's plan to participate in a school trip like any normal teen goes awry.

Like almost all Marvel product, Spider-Man: Far from Home trades heavily on the capital of its star's charisma and real-life personality. Tom Holland is an absolute jackpot in this regard, having proved as charming off-screen as on, and--while Andrew Garfield remains my perfect Spidey--the more age-appropriate Holland carries a big franchise film with the ease of someone far more experienced. His supporting cast is fleshed out this time with the always-wonderful Jake Gyllenhaal, as well as recurring turns by Marisa Tomei, Zendaya, Samuel L. Jackson, and Coby Smoulders. The movie's got flaws, but not a single member of this cast is among them.

Far from Home represents a sort-of torch-passing, following the events of Avengers: Endgame. The film features spectacular disaster and creature effects, yet somehow Spidey himself looks weirdly CGI-ed even when it's probably a live actor or stunt person performing. The movie is never boring, precisely, but it's too long before it even gets out of its first hour. There's a big "twist" that manages to serve its purpose while probably not being much of a surprise to most fans. Some great action sequences, an engaging cast, and spot-on humor make Far from Home a fun movie, but, ultimately, it's nothing special.

Spider-Man: Far from Home clocks in at an excessive 129 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sci-fi action violence, some language, and brief suggestive comments."

Far from Home is another fun-but-unremarkable outing from Marvel that you'll forget before the next fun-but-unremarkable outing from Marvel. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Spider-Man: Far from Home gets seven.

Fangirl points: My best boyfriend Jake (obvs.)! Martin Starr! The Ramones!

MOVIE REVIEW: SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME

Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man must step up to take on new threats in a world that has changed forever.

Director: Jon Watts

Cast: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau, J. B. Smoove, Jacob Batalon, Martin Starr, Marisa Tomei, Jake Gyllenhaal

Release Date: July 2, 2019

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, some language and brief suggestive comments

Runtime: 2 h 9 min

Review:

Spider-Man: Far from Home has the simple task of tidying up the events of Avengers: Endgame while also moving forward Spider-Man character’s story.  It’s a hefty task and the film’s only partially able to pull it off, even though it’s at the cost of other elements.  Jon Watts’ film is a light and breezy affair with nary an air of heft or weight to it. They’re never any moments where you wonder if the hero is in any real danger, which is a common occurrence is these single character films but here it feels even more obvious.  That’s not say to there isn’t plenty of superhero action to go around along with some impressively staged sequences, particularly in the third act.  Tom Holland is still excellent as Parker/Spider-Man but while he gives more angst teen drama this entry, it feels more inorganic and stilted than it did in Homecoming.  Zendaya is relegated to a more standard love interest role than she did before and no amount of snark can hide it.  Jake Gyllenhaal is an interesting addition to the film but he’s a retconned villain from Spider-man villain who could just wear a sign around his neck stating “Don’t Trust Me” during the first half.  His reveal is interesting and it’s hard not to see the screenwriters taking swipes at a certain someone in the current political zeitgeist with the villain’s primary motivation.  It’s an interesting take and something that would have been more interesting if it’d been explored more but as is it’s a solid film.  Ultimately, it does close out this “phase” of the Marvel universe but does so in a workman like function.  That being said there are 2 post credit sequences that actually have bearing on the film you’ve finished watching so it’s worth staying all the way through the credits in this one.   

B

Cindy Prascik's Review of Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for the newest installment in Tom Cruise's Jack Reacher franchise, Never Go Back. Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing of consequence that wasn't revealed in the trailers. 

 

Attempting to prove the innocence of an Army Major accused of espionage, our hero finds himself embroiled in a high-reaching conspiracy while facing off with a secret from his past. 

 

As I spent quality time with my best friend the Internet this morning, I saw a fair few headlines along the lines of, "How Can the Jack Reacher Franchise be Fixed?" and I thought, "Come on, Internet, we're only on the second installment!" 

 

At any rate, I'm not sure the thing needs a complete overhaul, but a few tweaks are definitely in order. Never Go Back is a predictable action flick where everybody does pretty much exactly what you'd expect. 

 

That's not always a bad thing, but there were a few cases here where I really, really wished they hadn't, in particular the tried and true plot mechanism: "bratty teenager continually risks everyone's safety with foolish behavior." The kid, in general, was an annoying and pointless addition to this sequel, and, should there be more Jack Reachers, I hope she never turns up again. 

 

On the plus side, the ass-kicking is also exactly what you'd have expected, that is, AWESOME! The movie wastes little time getting started, and features great end-to-end action with exciting chase scenes and well-choreographed fights. The backdrop of New Orleans' spectacular Halloween parade makes the climax especially fun. 

 

Tom Cruise capably carries the lot on his shoulders, alternately heroic and funny, ever the ideal leading man. Cobie Smulders is passable in the female lead, nothing special in a nothing-special part. 

 

The real star of the show is Patrick Heusinger, who somehow manages to be mesmerizing in a blandly typical baddie role. Despite having a true Hollywood A-Lister in the lead, Never Go Back ultimately feels very low-budget, like maybe Cruise (who has the top producer's credit) did what he could out of his own pocket, but might have benefited from a little more help. 

 

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back clocks in at 118 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of violence and action, some bloody images, language, and thematic elements." Jack Reacher: Never Go Back could be the poster child for unnecessary sequels, but it's also a pretty good time. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back gets six and a half. 

Fangirl points: Holt McCallany, Aldis Hodge, and Robert Knepper, who earns senior billing but barely earns a paycheck in a total of about five minutes onscreen. 

 

Until next time...