Spider-Man: No Way Home

Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfred Molina, Jamie Foxx, Willem Dafoe, Jon Favreau, Marisa Tomei, Benedict Wong, JK Simmons

Director: Jon Watts

Based on characters from the Marvel comic book series by Stan Lee

After stopping the nefarious Mysterio, Peter Parker (Holland) has been outed to the world as Spider-Man by J. Jonah Jameson (Simmons). Not only are people calling him a murderer, both MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Batalon) are soon affected as they are unable to get into the colleges they want due to their connection to Spider-Man. Feeling responsible for this, Peter visits Dr. Strange (Cumberbatch) and asks him to perform a spell that will make the world forget that he is Spider-Man. As Strange performs the spell, Peter gets cold feet because MJ and Ned would also forget who he is and interrupts. Soon, Peter finds his world turned upside down and must battle villains from different Multiverses.

I will do my best to keep this as spoiler free as possible.

Picking up right after the events of Far From Home, we follow Peter and his friends on their most emotional journey yet. I wasn't quite expecting some the places the film went and they pay off quite nicely. It is definitely one of the more emotional films the MCU has produced and ends on a note many might not be expecting.

The action is stunning. Director Jon Watts has upped the ante with each film and this almost reaches an Avengers-esque level. From a stunning sequence in the mirror world to the climactic battle at the Statue of Liberty, the film never lets up and is just plain fun. I honestly wouldn't have pegged Watts as this type of filmmaker after watching his low budget debut Cop Car. It's pretty incredible how Marvel can nab indie directors and harness their sensibilities into making tentpole action films. Throw in some well placed surprises and this is the blockbuster cinemas have been waiting for.

The Spider-Man franchise has had issues with the third entries in the series. Spider-Man 3, the third entry in Tobey Maguire's series, felt overstuffed and tried to introduce too many villains. And we can't forget dancing Peter Parker. Andrew Garfield's Amazing Spider-Man series never got the chance at a third entry. It would be easy to be skeptical that the same fate would befall this film. I give a lot of credit to the writers and creative team for keeping the film structured and making sure everything worked.

Tom Holland continues to be the perfect Spider-Man. While I have a soft spot for Tobey Maguire's version, Holland actually looks and acts the part to a tee. His chemistry with Zendaya is incredible (something that has carried off screen as well) as is his rapport with Jacob Batalon as well. They all carry the emotional weight of the script nicely, as does Marisa Tomei as Aunt May. She felt more like a punchline (the hot aunt) in the first film and has evolved quite nicely into the role. I wish it hadn't taken this long. Having actors like Alfred Molina, Willem Dafoe, and Jamie Foxx join the film is a treat unto itself. Dafoe, and especially Foxx, revel at the chance to play these roles again. For Foxx, it's a second chance at a previously underwritten character and the changes are all in service of making Max Dillon a fully realized character.

This could have been a disaster. Instead, we are treated to one of the better films to come out of the MCU in a long time, full of action and emotion and fantastic performances.

Grade: A-