Peter Parker triumphs again

Nonika Singh

Spectacular special effects, some clever writing and a simmering love angle; the template is no different from other superhero movies. So, what makes Spider-Man different? Well, for one, the director, Jon Watts wanted to deal with many of the unanswered questions from Avengers Endgame and, “make a movie that’s in that world and deals with those stories but is also still a fun Spider-Man movie.” 

Thus, beginning with a tribute to Marvel’s Avengers as well as Stan Lee, it talks of the blip that Thanos ushered in and then goes on to pay an ode to Iron Man aka Tony Starks. So much so, that we may have thought we saw the last of him in Avengers Endgame, but he is very much an integral part of this one. Nah nah, don’t get us wrong; he is not brought back to life, only his unique glasses have been left to Peter Parker aka Spider-Man. The glasses you bet are no ordinary spectacles but provide an access to Stark’s vast technology and commands a large orbital weapons supply.  

A legacy worth cherishing… only Peter, in pursuit of his girlfriend MJ, is not interested in the inheritance or the job to become the saviour of the world. But Nick Fury is on his tail and as Parker says, ‘Nick just hijacked our vacation’.

Predictably, Parker is drawn into the vortex of what he and we are told are elementals made from natural elements like fire, earth, water et al. Only these are not essential to the world but out to destroy it. As water elemental wreaks havoc, the tempest in the water (in Venice) is enthralling. Enter Mysterio who counters them and handsome Jake Gyllenhall makes for a fine saviour as well as an interesting switch with once again a connection to Iron Man. Illusions within a fantasy world, body shifting imagery and some surprises are in store. As Mysterio says, “Today people will believe anything”. So, we buy and bite into this illusionary effect which Parker learns to counter with his intuitive Peter Tingle. Action moves to another level and many a Spidey acts are worth a hoot. Technical wizardry is at its best as Spider-Man breaks through the game of illusion, dodges and fights what is literally an army of drones.

Tom Holland as the love struck teenager, happy and content to just play the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, before he finds his groove as the protector who must take the enemy down, is endearing. Gyllenhall is undeniably impressive in his ‘before and after’ acts and Zendaya as Spider-Man’s love interest MJ is no bimbo. Mark her response when Peter tells her you look pretty. ‘So that puts value on me,’ she shoots back. Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury gets to mouth some interesting dialogues including some profound ones like, ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown’.

 Hmmm, sure Spider-Man is a trifle tentative and unsure of his role in the post-Avenger Universe and even forsakes his precious legacy. But far from home, here we get to see all the exotic locations in Europe right from London to Austria to Prague, or on home ground, Spider-Man is someone who truly sticks. As his Peter Tingle, tingles, his web world, full on action and fantabulous imagery is tantalising for sure. Though teen-verse is likely to relate more to this Spidey verse with Jacob Batalon reprising his role as Ned, don’t mistake it for just another juvenile high school rendezvous. Spider-Man once again finds its befitting place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  

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