Spider-Man: Far From Home is the latest film to come out of the mega series that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and it’s one of the most important because it has to clear the fog left by the penultimate Avengers: Endgame. Far From Home follows Peter Parker (Tom Holland), as he goes on a European trip with his science class, and as he prepares a plan to finally declare his love for his classmate, MJ (Zendaya). However, his plans are interrupted by giant monsters of the elements appearing and terrorizing European cities, including the cities Peter himself visits. Peter now struggles between wanting to stay with his class and trying to work with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), who desperately wants Peter to collaborate with new superhero Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhall) to defeat these “Elementals.”
Far From Home has one of the hardest jobs any MCU film has had up to this point: to transition the MCU out of the “Infinity Saga” era and steer the series in a new direction. Far From Home, however, is not some grand transition. However, dealing with the fallout from Endgame seems like a secondary issue to the personal story of Peter Parker, just like dealing with the threat of the world feels like a secondary issue to Peter Parker. Far From Home is Peter’s delightful story of struggling with what is expected of him and what he wants to do, something every teen deals with to an extent. Far From Home features all the tropes and storylines expected of a teen movie, all while balancing a threat to the entire world. It’s an impressive screenwriting feat.
However, what’s most surprising about Far From Home is the fact that it’s possibly the first Marvel movie with a clear societal message. Going into detail on the context of this theme would spoil the biggest twist of the movie, but Far From Home’s commentary on lies in the media, and the fear people live with, is very exciting. The themes make the film better, but they also create a realistic possibility that future Marvel movies might elevate from simple popcorn movies, a mold they’ve already kind of broken, to socially conscious and serious works of art, possibly even making future films Oscar-worthy.
Spider-Man: Far From Home is a perfect movie to see with your family, friends, or alone, however you like, because it is fun, thrilling, and even conscious. The surprising twists and turns will certainly blow you away on first viewing, but I don’t think my post-great movie stupor is talking when I say Far From Home is arguably the best Marvel movie to date, or at least most well written. I’ll need some time to think, but I don’t think Far From Home will ever stop being fantastic.