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Spider-Man: Far from Home
Save the World, Like the Girl
By Jon Ochiai
In the midst of his high school trip, Peter Parker aka Spider-Man, played by Tom Holland, and Quentin Beck aka Superhero Mysterio, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, sit together on a bridge in Venice, Italy. Peter says, “I didn’t want to save the world this summer…” He just wants to tell pretty MJ, played by cool smart Zendaya, that he likes her. Hoping she might like him back, too.
Sure, Peter is the Superhero with ‘Peter tingle’, great strength and agility. Robert Downey Jr.’s late Tony Stark even made Peter an Avenger. At 17 years-old, Peter fearlessly risks his life as Spider-Man battling the gargantuan ‘Elemental’ Water Monster. Yet, he fears more telling the cool girl, “You know, I really like you…” Makes a lot of sense.
That’s the distinct deft charm of Director Jon Watt’s “Spider-Man: Far from Home”. Jon also directed the previous “Spider-Man: Homecoming”. He has a genuine feel for teen angst and bravado. Tom Holland returns as the screen’s most authentic Spider-Man. As Peter, Tom uniquely balances innocence, doubt and courage on the tipping point of boy and manhood. Tom is the dork when Peter clumsily tells MJ, “You look pretty.” His eyes well in tears, getting that he might have disappointed his ‘surrogate’ Father Tony Stark (Robert).
