IR Film Review: SPIDER MAN - NO WAY HOME [Sony]
The texture of "Spiderman" reflects in who a certain generation needs him to be. The aspect of "No Way Home" indicates an existential crisis which the whole last film with Mysterio was built to set up into its final moments. "No Way Home" isn't a clean movie by any means and it could work just as well as a large scale series because of the literal way it works. It is fun and deep in its own way but brings itself into its own with one scene (which is actually quieter than most) but that is what sets up the notion of sacrifice which Holland's Peter Parker obviously learned from Tony Stark.
What the film does speak to is that Holland's Parker is a kid who has been through alot with what has happened with The Avengers and beyond Aunt May, Peter doesn't have anyone guiding him after Iron Man dies in "Endgame". The person he goes to is not the best because Dr. Strange has his own ego and sensibility based problems and is an inherent tragic figure even if it hasn't been realized yet (although it has in animation). The uber wonderful animated episode of "What If...?" with him is some of the best storytelling and use done in years in the Marvel Universe (or any universe)...but a big film has to work to a certain progressions. But in a similar way, in the way that "No Way Home" ends, it puts Holland's Parker into that same headspace which in a way will cause his Spiderman to transform.
The film deals with the multiverse which is tricky but there is only way to do it and it does require a relaxing of ego on Holland's part and in that way it works beautifully because it both pays tribute, moves the story forward and yet still pays homage to the best of what the series can be. Again this existential structure pays tribute but it allows small character details and resolutions that truly make alot of the Spiderman lore over the past 20 years resound with more resonance and allow significant amount of sense and reflection (which is usually not able to be done within this kind of time span). In that way "No Way Home" is a significant feat in how it was pulled off. The aspect of family and the aspect of "Who Am I" looms very large as the film starts off with the issue that J. Jonah Jameson revealed to everyone who Spiderman actually is.
The film in certain ways is pedantic for the first half hour because it needs to set up everything. Zendaya works as a grounding force but doesn't have as much to do otherwise because so many personalities are swirling around her though the impact is felt in the final minute or two. One specific multiverse villain really gets to shine in ways maybe he didn't originally (though the character was always multilayered) but that doesn't save him from being a tragic figure even though he brings so much pain in a way that changes Holland's Spiderman forever. But ultimately "No Way Home" does push forward to Strange with the next film "Multiverse Of Madness". However the mid credits scene is interesting because on initial view its true consequence are not clear but it helps keep the Universe (and multi-verse) coalescing and moving forward. B+
By Tim Wassberg
