The Mysterio illusion sequences were an amazing highlight to some overall excellent action scenes! I loved just watching Pete swing through the rubble all stylishly during the fight with Hydro Man, to say nothing of him going full OP with Spider-Sense at the end. My only real complaint towards Homecoming was that the action could've been better, and they rectified that here.
I want to say that Tony values Peter a lot more than he let on, and figures Peter would be responsible with E.D.I.T.H....though Tony does make some hasty decisions sometimes lol. Peter almost blowing up a bus full of kids isn't something you can foresee though lol. I loved that moment with Peter and Happy on the plane. Happy watching him and being reminded of Tony gave me all of the feels.
Yeah, I need to see the movie again to catch all the suits. I swear I saw the Symbiote suit, but my eyes have to be playing tricks on me. Agreed about MJ, easily the best love interest in any MCU film period. Can't wait to see their relationship develop. While I wouldn't mind if she started working at the Bugle, I hope Peter's personal relationship with JJJ is preserved.
Speaking of, pretty sure I died and went to Heaven when J.K. Simmons came back as Jonah. I was so very incredibly pleased. :)
I had a lot of thoughts on the movie, so I'm gonna cross post what I wrote in the spoiler thread. At the end is where I think Spider-Man 3 could go:
Just got home. Man, what a film. Need to see it a couple more times, but I think it passed Spider-Man 2 for me.
Narrative
I felt like the film's plot was very consistent and interesting all the way through. You have Peter dealing with the death of Tony Stark and the need to step into his shoes. You also have Peter wanting to be a normal teen with a normal life. In true Spider-Man fashion, Peter is constantly juggling between his two lives this film, and I loved it. It's similar to Raimi's Spider-Man 2 that way, but has a richer variety imo. The first half of the movie is very light and breezy and while it keeps a more optimistic tone throughout it raises the stakes considerably once Mysterio has his turn. The second half is where the film really shines, and I really enjoyed Peter having to struggle against Mysterio after he learned the truth. The JJJ reveal was perfection. I freaked out soooo hard. Already have a good theory on where 3, will go, but more on that later. Also loved that the MCU Spidey now has his swinging through Manhattan moment.
Characters
All of the characters were fantastic, Tom Holland as Peter especially. He has such range and really sold Peter's struggles on this film. He does it so effortlessly but we really need to appreciate how good he is as Spider-Man and Peter. MJ was next level in this film, easily the best love interest of any MCU film and I love how they are developing their relationship, Mysterio was everything I wanted and more. It was so obvious he was gonna be a bad guy, but I still fell bad for all the suckers who took the trailers at face value. His turn was perfect, and while making him a former Stark Employee is new, his over the top nature and movie like show man ship was very much keeping in line with the comics. Ned and Betty were great in this, loved their summer romance and them dating is comic accurate too. Happy was the best he's ever been in this film. The advice he gave to Peter was Uncle Ben tier. I do hope him and Aunt May stick around.
Action
I think this is the best action in a Spider-Man movie yet. I saw someone complain the action was bad and that's a hard disagree from me. From the moment Peter and Mysterio fought Hydro Man I was impressed. Peter web slinging through the rubble during that fight was awesome, particularly that backwards maneuver he did through the window.
The molten man fight was just as good, but the illusion scene was on a whole nother level. The zombie Iron Man, the multiple Spider-Men, tossing MJ off the bridge, the Nick Fury fake out, magnificent.
My only complaint is that I wish they had spent a little more time on the blip and Pete/Aunt May's relationship after she find out, but those are small squabbles. Highly recommend
What's next?
With Mysterio setting Peter up, I definetly think we get the Sinister Six next movie. I'm not exactly sure what the complete line up will look like, but enough of his enemies are in the mix now. I don't think Peter will stay exposed, by the end of the 3rd movie they'll prove Mysterio doctored the video and Peter will be cleared. The comics have played with the idea of Peter's identity being exposed before too. They'll have fun with it but I don't expect it to be permanent. I think certain ramifications from his identity being unmasked will remain(JJJ hating him, the Sinister Six forming) but not all.
I thought Fury and Hill being Skrulls were a nice touch, looks like the real Fury is making the S.W.O.R.D. Base.
I'm so excited for the future of the MCU. Hope that JJJ cameo was a sign of more to come
I will add to this that I think Norman would be the perfect villain to come in and lead the Sinister Six. Traditionally it's been Ock but there's a lot you can set up with Norman, especially if he convinces the public he's a hero for hunting Spider-Man. Easy way to give him enough clout to assemble the Dark Avengers.
I also hope Peter shows up in other movies or we somehow get updates. I don't want to wait two years lol