“Spider-Man: Far From Home”

If you’re keeping track, this is the 23rd entry in the MCU and it’s solid, despite a familiar and somewhat tired core plot line. This time out for Peter Parker, who just got back from fighting off Thanos, is tired and wants to go on vacation via a class trip in Europe and finally tell MJ (Zendaya) his true feelings. He doesn’t want anything to do with crime fighting, at least not for the time being. He’s forced into action reluctantly and battles whether he really wants to be the hero everyone expects of him. We’ve seen all this before in other hero and other Spider-Man films, so in that respect, it was a little trying. But what makes this movie work is the execution and the other plot lines involving his buddies, his goofy chaperones, Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) and the trouble dealing with the idea of Happy dating Aunt May. There are some terrific action sequences and the European locales were a refreshing touch. It’s also very funny. Tom Holland whose played Spidey 5x now has the character down and his innocence, nerdiness and charm just makes you smile. Nick Fury and Maria Hill are along to support the film and they add another branch that works too. Like all MCU films, don’t leave until the very end of the credits. There are 2 extra scenes and one of them sets up the next Spider-Man film.

Rating (***)