SPOILER ALERT! DO NOT READ ON IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW THE MOVIE’S SECRETS REVEALED HERE!
Marvel and Sony did a great job in keeping so much a secret with Tom Holland’s third standalone Spider-Man movie No Way Home – and fortunately a lot of the rumours are gleefully true.
So much so it’s impossible for this review to be spoiler-free, so you have been warned!
Yes, we do get to see Holland’s MCU iteration of Peter Parker’s alter-ego fight alongside Tobey Maguire (2002-07) and Andrew Garfield’s (2012-14) previous movie versions of the iconic superhero. Which makes for exhilarating fanboy stuff.
That’s because everyone’s friendly neighbourhood crime-fighter has been framed by Jake Gyllenhaal’s adversary Mysterio – being mercilessly targeted by Daily Bugle leading journo J Jonah Jameson – for the attack on London at the end of previous film Far from Home, and his identity revealed in the process. Thus, splitting public opinion on the Webslinger.
This leads to Parker seeking out his old Avengers ally Dr Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to see if it’s possible to turn back time to erase recent events. And when Strange agrees to a turbulent ancient spell to grant Parker’s request, the process is fractured by the teenager’s late request that his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) is still aware of his existence.
Sadly, it doesn’t all go to plan, with the enchantment inadvertently launching a Multiverse (think the recent Spidey animation) which beckons in villains from Maguire’s past – Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin, Alfred Molina’s Dr Octopus and Thomas Haden Church’s Sandman – and Garfield’s tenure – Jamie Foxx’s Electro and Rhys Ifan’s Lizard – as Spider-Man, and end up causing havoc in Holland’s universe.
This leads to some salivating chemistry between all three Spidey’s – and an emotional and moving last half hour that is up there with Marvel Cinematic Universe’s very best.
After initially stumbling due to its many ‘moving parts’ – that leads to intermittently uneven storytelling during the first half – it all sensationally comes together to easily slot into the Top Five films in the MCU, up there in esteemed company with the likes of the last two Avengers films and Captain America: Winter Soldier.
It even makes the five films from Maguire/Garfield relevant again (even though not officially part of this MCU) – and also Netflix’s Daredevil TV series after Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock makes a mouthwatering cameo.
What this all adds up to is a passionately poignant Marvel entry that really goes the extra mile to fire out a truly memorable superhero movie.
And with the Multiverse unleashing so many possibilities in the universe – Holland’s Spidey has given forthcoming films a sensational path to follow.
Rating: 4.5/5
Gavin Miller
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Tom Holland, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andrew Garfield, Tobey Maguire, Zendaya, Jamie Foxx, Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, Thomas Haden Church, Rhys Ifans, Jacob Batalon, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Benedict Wong, Tony Revolori, Jk Simmons & Charlie Cox
Running Time: 2 Hrs 28 Mins
Director: Jon Watts
Go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk for all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux
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