It has been no secret that Spider-Man on the big screen has had a history of legal entanglements and varying lines of continuity (read Reel Speak’s recap on the matter HERE), with now three different versions of the web-slinger in live-action form in the last 20 years. There have been varying degrees of success, with no shortage of reboots, and do-overs. It’s been a mess, but all that finally gets sorted out in NO WAY HOME.
With his life in shambles after having his identity revealed to the world, Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), asks the help of mystic wizard Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), to cast a spell that would make everyone forget that he was Spider-Man. The spell goes awry, and instead brings into our world villains from other universes; including Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), the Goblin (Willem Dafoe), Electro (Jamie Foxx), Sandman (Thomas Hayden Church), and Lizard (Rhys Ifans).
Directed by Jon Watts and brought to life by a partnership with legal-character-rights holder Sony Pictures and the mighty Marvel Studios, NO WAY HOME sets itself up in the early goings as one big throw-down between Spidey and his greatest foes. But in a clever, and most-effective bit of writing, Parker is faced with a moral dilemma that is the true hook of the story. When Strange finds a way to zap the bad guys back to their own universes where they will face certain death, Parker objects to this, and as every true hero would, tries to find a way to cure and save the new collection of bad guys and set them right. It’s new territory for a Spider-Man film, and for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), now in its 13th year and 27th film.
It’s no great spoiler to say that Parker is joined by not only bad guys from other dimensions, but other heroes too. Specifically, two other Spider-Men that we have seen on the big screen before. This becomes a real treat as the three learn from each other, bond, and eventually battle their foes. Amazingly, NO WAY HOME manages to work in nearly every important theme that Spider-Man has faced on the big screen in previous versions, and it blends together in excellent ways.
Director Marc Webb delivers the goods in not only character but in action. The fight scenes and setpieces are outstanding, and money-shots of the three Spideys are excellent. Webb delivers the emotion as vital characters die and have their ups and downs, but then counters it all with more than one stand-up-and-cheer moment; be prepared to howl and weep.
Acting is tremendous. Tom Holland goes through a roller-coaster of emotions and makes his character so human that we just want to hug him. Holland’s chemistry with his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya), and best fried Ned (Jacob Batalon) provides even more heart. Marisa Tomei is excellent, as is the always magnificent Benedict Cumberbatch. The show is absolutely stolen by Willem Dafoe, who has even more of a grasp of his character than he did 20 years ago. And the other two guys playing Peter Parker: Outstanding.
NO WAY HOME wraps in a Greek tragedy ending; the good guys win, but they also lose…and they lose plenty…making the film one of the most impactful of the Spidey catalog and in the MCU. For a Spider-Man fan, there is a LOT to love, as it packs in everything great about the character in his long history on the screen and in the comic pages. The MCU Spidey has a solid end to his arc over his three solo films, and as a satisfying bonus, sends out the other Spideys on a high note. Considering the messy legal web that the character had had over the years, it is a miracle that NO WAY HOME has been made…and magical that it is this good.
BOTTOM LINE: See it
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