America's favorite web-slinging superhero returns to the big screen in Spider-Man: No Way Home from Columbia Pictures. Jon Watts is back in the director's chair for the threequel, while Erik Sommers and Chris McKenna, who wrote the previous two Spidey movies, also return on scripting duties.
Picking up moments after the ending of Spider-Man: Far from Home where Quentin Beck\Mysterio revealed the secret identity of Spidey, the threequel finds Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland) in the hot seat.
Peter's Super Hero responsibilities are now directly in conflict with his everyday life and putting those he cares about most at risk. Those at risk include his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya), best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon), Aunt May (Marissa Tomei), and confidant Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau). Hoping to get things back to normal, Peter enlists Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to help restore his secret with a spell.
Unfortunately, Peter gets overzealous, causing the spell to tear a hole in their “world," releasing the most powerful villains who've ever fought a Spider-Man in any universe. The villains include Norman Osborn / Green Goblin: (Willem Dafoe), Otto Octavius / Doctor Octopus: (Alfred Molina), Flint Marko / Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), Dr. Curt Connors / Lizard (Rhys Ifans), and Electro (Jamie Foxx). Now, Peter will have to overcome his greatest challenge yet, which will forever alter his future and the future of the Multiverse.
First, I want to advise readers and viewers to go into Spider-Man: No Way Home knowing very little. Tom Holland still brings a likable charm to the lead role, taking us on a remarkable journey for Peter as he leaves behind childhood and starts embracing young adulthood. Holland still has substantial chemistry with Jacob Batalon, Marissa Tomei, and of course, Zendaya. I found myself invested in their chemistry and even with Peter's moments with the new additions to the film.
Benedict Cumberbatch is still enjoyable as Doctor Strange, and his sequel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness cannot get here fast enough. A chase sequence between Strange and the web-slinger that is worth the price of admission alone. Regarding the villains in the film, it was good to see them all on-screen again and the true antagonistic nature they brought to the previous films. My only real gripe with the film was the lack of a sixth villain to go the whole "Sinister Six" route.
There are many applause-worthy moments in the film. Seeing the movie with a crowd was the best experience I have had since Avengers: Endgame. Jon Watts and his writing team have constructed the best movies of the year and arguably the best Spider-Man film of all time.
Final Grade: A
Spider-Man: No Way Home is in theaters now