Spider-Man: Far from Home

An easygoing piece that after the dramatic Endgame wanted to remind fans that Marvel is first and foremost a fun realm of blockbuster filmmaking. The first half is a lot of fun, actually, and it was surprising to see a superhero movie with a teenage romance line being far better than most thoroughbred teenage comedies – Peter’s troubles with his love interest and the subsequent dilemma about his own self work great, both in terms of humour and as an important causal element for the fundamental villain twist. And actually, overall, it’s a very nice spectacle that you will surely enjoy if you like Spider-Man and the Marvel universe, which allows for a rather sophisticated incorporation of illusory motifs and original antagonists. Unfortunately, it’s brought down by the shabby second half, which numbs the viewer with unnecessarily long illusory sequences and delivers a comedic finale where the characters, though they are truly putting their necks on the line, run to the Crown Jewels and share their secret weaknesses. The action is nothing great, either, and the final fate of the villain is quite inadequate given his potential. Also, the concept of travelling through well-known European locations has hardly any value and the interesting post-credit scenes underscores Sony’s stupid decision not to continue with this promising story. 70% (09/25/2019)

Not only a great continuation of the story of Spider-Man (and Peter Parker... and the Night Monkey), but also a great unwinding of the entire Marvel world, which has undergone some really interesting changes since Endgame that the script can – and does – benefit from. Perhaps only the villain could have been better (the Vulture set the bar very high in the last film), but the elaborate and imaginative great illusion scenes are a pretty solid offset to the predictability. I like how Spider-Man is only just becoming the real Spider-Man (although someone else is being Uncle Ben to him, of course) and how Peter Parker doesn't forget that he's supposed to be Peter Parker too. Tom Holland is sensational in the role and Zendaya is even better than last time. The comedy, the action, the surprises, it's all there. The direction is seamless, Michael Giacchino's score is once again worth a hundred points (although he plays with the Avengers theme at times in a way that almost sounds like Lord of the Rings)... If Prague had a shortage of tourists, it could start preparing for them. (07/03/2019)

One of the most original Marvel films in recent times. It doesn’t rely solely on flashy action but also incorporates a solid dose of humor and entertaining moments featuring the main characters. It’s hard to compare it with Raimi’s original Spider-Man, as it presents a completely different style. I remember initially finding Tom Holland unappealing, as I wasn't keen on his teenage behavior. However, over time, I grew to like him more and more, and by the second film, he had somewhat won me over. He seems truly born for the role of the quirky young Spider-Man. The sequel offers an intriguing story where the focus is more on Peter Parker’s character rather than his superhero side. Surprisingly, I found this more grounded part of the film engaging, but of course, the tension also builds, and you'll encounter plenty of exciting action sequences with impressive special effects. The villains, known as the Elementals, immediately captured my attention with their depiction. Jake Gyllenhaal, with the erratic nature of his character, carried the film. It’s a bit of a shame that comic book fans know the true nature of his character, but I admit that some viewers, like myself, were genuinely surprised by the plot twist midway through the film. The first sequence with Mysterio and his illusions is extremely original, filled with fresh ideas and even a hint of horror (the graveyard scene). The ending was slightly less impressive, but still well-executed (though it couldn’t quite surpass the first scene). The post-credits scene set up anticipation for the next installment. If the series maintains this high standard, we have much to look forward to. Although I didn’t expect it, Spider-Man 2 outshone Avengers: Endgame. I give it 88%. (07/16/2019)

This feel-good adventure movie is elevated to the four-star level by multiple aspects and their fresh interaction – frequent moving around nice European locations, more space for Jon Favreau and his nice performance in the mentor role, frequent references to Tony Stark and Mysterio’s impressive technological games, paralleling the very charm of film illusion. And the well-depicted inner struggle of Spider-Man with his own responsibility and the inevitable expectations he has for himself. (08/26/2019)

The creators of the Marvel Universe finally decided to visit our little country as well, as they discovered that Europe presents an interesting market. I’m glad that they chose Prague and Liberec as some of the filming locations. My relationship to Spiderman is such that I grew up with the first movie trilogy, mostly ignored the movies with Andrew Garfield, and he regained my attention with Tom Holland. As I enjoyed the previous instalment, I had one more reason to look forward to this one. And I wasn’t disappointed. There was a lot of fun, a sufficient number of nostalgic moments, and I greatly enjoyed the shots of the ravaged Old Time Square (or Liberec Square). It all has pleasant young adult vibes that are a good fit for the new Spiderman, filling a certain gap in the Marvel Universe these days. (07/23/2019)