10s Movie Review - Spider-Man: Far From Home

Director: Jon Watts
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Tony Revolori, Angouri Rice, Remi Hii, Martin Starr, Cobie Smulders, J.B. Smoove

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 40: A MARVEL MOVIE

Description: Following the events in “Avengers: Endgame”, Spider-Man (Tom Holland) must step up to take on new threats in a world that has changed forever.

Review: The number of superhero movies has become so large that it is becoming increasingly difficult to oversee everything. The various reboots that have been presented to the audience in a short time don’t make it any clearer. You have to invest heavily to stay updated and today it’s also a must to see every movie in the MCU, because they interweave and events in one movie will affect another. “Spider-Man: Far From Home” is the second part of the second Spider-Man reboot. This movie completes phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“Spider-Man: Far From Home” cleverly builds on previous events. Peter Parker, a teenager, is still broken about the death of Tony Stark. The man that made him an Avenger. But Peter needs a break, which comes in the form of a school trip to Europe. He is too busy planning a way to win over MJ’s heart, that he even doesn’t pack his costume. Don’t worry, Aunt May packs it for him. But when they are in Venice, it’s soon clear that Spider-Man has no time for a break. And he meets the local hero Mysterio.
Marvel took a risk by resetting the adventures of Spider-Man for a second time, but also by making Peter Parker a teenager. Tom Holland with his youthful appearance and ditto spirit is cut for the role. He is my favorite Peter Parker. As a young Peter Parker he not only has to play the superhero, but he is also in the middle of puberty and dealing with lots of teen problems. But this is not my favorite series, that’s still the original with Toby Maguire. It feels more authentic and the new series changed way too much, I prefer the old-school Spider-Man.
Which doesn’t mean I don’t like this film. I liked “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and I really enjoyed “Spider-Man: Far From Home”. Mostly because Tom Holland is such a breath of fresh air to watch and he does such a great job as Peter Parker/ Spider-Man.
I liked the villain, although the reveal was a bit predictable. I think everyone knew who it was. The execution of it is really clever and inventive though. And Spider-Man has a serious opponent in him.
Overall, “Spider-Man: Far From Home” is a highly entertaining film, with an excellent Tom Holland.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 122: Spider-Man: Homecoming

Director: Jon Watts
Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Adventure/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 133 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr., Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Donald Glover, Tony Revolori, Jennifer Connelly, Angourie Rice, Logan Marshall-Green, Martin Starr, Gwyneth Paltrow

Description: Peter Parker (Tom Holland) balances his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens with his superhero alter-ego Spider-Man, and finds himself on the trail of a new menace prowling the skies of New York City.

Review: Spider-Man has always been one of the most popular superheroes. Iron Man got more popular because of the movies and Robert Downey Jr. The two work together in “Spider-Man: Homecoming”.
Spider-Man has had his ups and downs. “Spider-Man 3” couldn’t keep up with the two previous movies. The reboot films did okay, but weren’t as amazing as the title let us believe. Sony and Marvel had to come up with something new to give the popular webslinger the movie he deserves. The result: Spider-Man is part of the shared universe of Marvel. In “Spider-Man: Homecoming” there are many moments were they show us that. Teen Peter Parker is constantly reminded of his adult colleagues. It’s all sounds like a big marketing trick, but it’s all relevant. Peter struggles with the inner conflict of being the little fish in a small pond.
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man was shortly seen in “Captain America: Civil War”. And that guest appearance is the starting point for “Spider-Man: Homecoming”. In a world where superheroes are common, Peter Parker thinks it’s an honor to work with the team of Avengers. But after an experience like that, it’s hard for Peter to pick up his old life. Especially when Tony Starks tells him that he might receive a call, but Peter never does. Spider-Man is in the Marvel universe, but he is not yet an Avenger.
This is the sixth Spider-Man film in fifteen years, so it isn’t good enough to let the superhero just do his tricks and fight a random villain. Marvel is clever enough and uses a lot of variation. The origin story, of how Peter Parker became Spider-Man, is left behind. And it’s not Spidey just swinging from huge buildings, he goes further than that.
What keeps it all together? Tom Holland! Where predecessors Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield were about 10 years to old for the role, the young British actor is perfect to play Peter Parker. His enthusiasm is a breath of fresh air. And his great comedic timing make you almost forget that he is also very capable of performing in more dramatic scenes. Even opposite of veterans like Robert Downey Jr. and Michael Keaton.
Peter Parker still has to prove himself as an Avenger, but this version of Spider-Man promises a very bright future.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 163: Stealing Harvard

Director: Bruce McCulloch
Genre: Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 85 minutes
Year: 2002
Starring: Jason Lee, Leslie Mann, Tom Green, Dennis Farina, Megan Mullally, John C. McGinley, Richard Jenkins, Martin Starr, Chris Penn

Description: A middle-class man (Jason Lee) turns to a life of crime in order to finance his niece's first year at Harvard University.

Review: The plot for “Stealing Harvard” is as simple as the film itsel. John once made a primuse to us niece, that if she ever got accepted to college, he would pay for it. When the time arrives, he just got the that money. But he is about to marry his fiancée and buy a house. To keep his promise to his niece, he asks his loser friend Duff for help.
The film isn’t as bad as I would think, especially since it stars Tom Green. Jason Lee plays a likeable character, somewhat reminding me of his character Earl in “My Name is Earl”. Some other supporting roles are for Leslie Mann, Megan Mullally and John C. McGinley, which are fun as well. Tom Green is, as always, over the top and not that funny. At least I don’t find his humor that laughable.
It’s okay, the movie is easy to sit through, but also pretty forgettable.

Rating: 2,5/ 5