This Spider-Man is no longer a boy and Tom Holland’s portrayal brings a mature, strong, sensitive man to the role to this stirring entry into the Marvel universe. Spider-Man flies high spinning in spectacular action sequences protecting citizens from a bevy of lethal villains. But with evolving arachnid powers, he does it while wrestling with repressed memories and more importantly from his best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon) and his love, MJ (Zendaya) who have forgotten Peter Parker.
Some of the most gut wrenching scenes are those with MJ and Ned who are back in New York City. Peter is isolated and alone and longs for human contact. It’s 4 years later, after college together. Peter follows them, wanting to be around them again. His feelings have not changed for the friendship with Ned and the love of his life, MJ. But they don’t remember him. It’s all he can do now.
Based on Comic book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, this is the least cartoonish comic-book-based film in some time. Credit to Director Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Short Term 12) with Writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers (Spider-Man – Homecoming, No Way Home, Far From Home). They craft a script that catches the audience in a web of emotion that pairs with the action and the characters. Cretton and Cinematographer Brett Pawlak find incredibly exciting POV angles of Spider-Man swinging traversing high and low, from web to web traversing the canyons of New York City and its neighborhoods.
NYC Detective Jean DeWolff (Liza Colón-Zayas – The Bear) has a direct line with Spider -Man. They both get crime alert notifications at the same time. She tries to look out for him when she can. It’s Colón-Zayas’ first appearance in the franchise and she’s good.
Villains abound. Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) is known as The Punisher. He’s a vigilante guns kinda guy who shoots first and asks later. Bernthal has a big role in this one. He and Holland bounce off each other well. Their scenes together are quite entertaining, incorporating some of the funniest lines. Bernthal gets to pivot, showing his versatility doing action and comedy deftly.
Black Widow is a fun character. Florence Pugh nonchalantly receives Spiderman looking for help and advice dealing with impending doom. You’ll enjoy seeing her splashy choice of office. She’s wry and sarcastic with attitude and, oh, that Russian accent.
Past ominous presence in this installment is Scorpion (Michael Mando) with his long, lethal tail. He becomes central to the plot to undermine and destroy Spider-Man. Interesting to see Tramell Tillman (Severance) as the head of a governmental agency in this film. We thought him wasted in this role with a demeanor too similar to what he portrays in the award-winning series.
Mark Ruffalo is back as Dr. Bruce Banner. Peter goes to him for help. Here, the professor is played in his friendly, self-deprecating Hulk persona. Of course, we see him in an action sequence, but it’s nothing new. He’s not given a lot to work with in this film.
Flashbacks with Peter’s emotional North Star, Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) bring, sentimental scenes to the film. He’s still mourning her loss as she was such an important part of his life.
The chief obstacle Peter has to face is mind control in a character from another Marvel franchise. No spoiler here, but this provides some strikingly intense drama. We see strong commands bounce from body to body, manipulating consciousness, trying to get into Peter’s head.
The film is long and there’s no need to wait for the inevitable post clip supposedly setting us up for the upcoming in Avengers: Doomsday. Good acting, action, writing and emotion as seen in Into the Spider-Verse could help you get over Superhero film fatigue. Bernthal and Sink (in a searing role) stand out here. Cretton throws all up against the wall, but Holland slings a web that sticks.
Sony/Columbia 2 Hours 25 Minutes PG-13
