Stop scrolling, because Tom Holland finally became the real Spider-Man and nobody even remembers who he is anymore.
Synopsis
Peter Parker tackles street-level heroism alone in New York after the devastating memory wipe of No Way Home. Grief, crushing loneliness, and impossible choices define his daily grind. However, a sprawling parade of MCU cameos disrupts his solo mission. A mind-controlled Hulk rampages and Frank Castle arrives for questionable comic relief. Meanwhile, a convoluted villain plot merely sets up future franchise arcs instead of standing alone.
Cast and Performances
Tom Holland delivers his most assured performance yet and clearly shed his baby face by getting into serious shape. His vulnerable portrayal makes you genuinely feel the weight of his isolation. Sadie Sink owns the screen as Elaine, though her reveal deserves a much later placement and heavier gravitas. The various extras who body-hop deserve massive applause because their physical acting looks exceptionally cool. Sadly, the Romanoff hot tub scene feels painfully shoe-horned in despite providing a few cheap laughs. Furthermore, the Punisher feels entirely unnecessary for this narrative since using Frank Castle for lighthearted moments misses the mark completely.
Production
Cinematography operates on a completely different level compared to previous instalments. The visionary camera movement tracks action seamlessly while innovative within-the-mask shots and fresh web-swinging angles redefine the aesthetic. Practical stunt work injects genuine weight and realism into every brutal brawl. Destin Daniel Cretton orchestrates dazzling visuals and breathtaking fight sequences with immense flair. Furthermore, the organic web intro works brilliantly because the scientific explanation fits the universe naturally. The fresh suit design looks simply amazing on screen, whereas the bloated runtime desperately begs for a merciless thirty-minute trim.
Review
Spider-Man BND ultimately feels okay, yet it drags significantly past a natural two-hour conclusion. The overarching story lacks memorable punch, but the intimate character development shines brightly above the chaos. Past solo outings often felt like secondary Iron Man adventures fuelled by high-tech gadgets. Fortunately, Cretton finally delivers the grounded, vulnerable street hero fans demanded for years. Plot issues plague the whole entry. Annoying missteps like the quick MJ fake out threaten to ruin the emotional stakes of the memory wipe. A random civilian gets mowed down mid-fight while Peter ignores the carnage entirely. Ultimately, dazzling spectacle saves the experience, yet messy additions like the mind-controlled Hulk dilute the branding.
Your go to for all things film, tv, gaming, pop culture! Can I be your movie guy?